Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou meets British PM, discusses Cyprus, Parthenon Marbles

[02] Greek and German FMs discuss Cyprus issue, Turkey's EU accession

[03] Papandreou on proposal for reduction in defense spending by Greece, Turkey

[04] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos begins historic visit to Cuba

[05] Greek and Lebanese presidents open business forum in Beirut

[06] Main opposition blasts draft election law, 'last-minute barrage of bills'

[07] Change of PASOK's name 'not on the agenda' FM Papandreou says

[08] Return of Avramopoulos to main opposition ND made official

[09] Greek-American leaders call for changes to Annan plan to make it more functional

[10] KKE leader visits Athens university campus in Zografou

[11] Opinion poll gives ND 3 pc lead over PASOK, FM more popular than ND leader

[12] Border police to gradually replace FYROM troops on borders with Greece

[13] Greece unveils 9.25-bln-euro public investment program

[14] Greece, Turkey sign memorandum of cooperation for extension of Egnatia Highway

[15] SBBE urges promotion of Thessaloniki's bid for EXPO 2008

[16] EU Commission seeks legal proceedings against eight member-states

[17] Greek stocks end volatile session slightly higher

[18] PM Simitis chairs cabinet meeting on Olympic Games preparation

[19] ATHOC president and police chief discuss security for Olympic installations

[20] Snowfall causes flight cancellations, sailing ban

[21] One in two Greek youths an Internet user in 2003, report

[22] Recourse against 9 EU states for violating legislation on atmospheric pollution

[23] Three arrested, 388 kilos of hashish seized in narcotics bust

[24] Anti-war rally against "occupation in Iraq" to be staged in March

[25] Cyprus spokesman: Annan's reference 'positive'

[01] Papandreou meets British PM, discusses Cyprus, Parthenon Marbles

LONDON 23/01/2004 (ANA - F. Karaviti)

As the sole candidate for the leadership of Greece's ruling PASOK party, Papandreou has also effectively taken over the task of leading the party to elections on March 7 and stands to lead any PASOK government that emerges from the polls.

Papandreou said the British government was showing heightened interest in a solution of the Cyprus problem, particularly after the new dynamics created by Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

He also reiterated the Greek government's position regarding the need for political will, especially on the Turkish side.

''We can all live together in peace and without walls in new Europe,'' he stressed.

With regard to the Parthenon Marbles, Papandreou once more explained Greece's positions to Blair and said it was an issue that could ''prove positive for both countries''.

''We have a new museum at the Acropolis and we can highlight the contribution of both peoples to international culture. We are open to proposals,'' he added, in a reference to an upcoming meeting between Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and his British counterpart.

The two men also discussed the upcoming change of leadership for PASOK and Papandreou outlined his vision for democracy in the future.

Meanwhile, an ongoing meeting was underway in London between a Greek delegation and a British delegation headed by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

British foreign secretary says British gov't will pursue Cyprus' unification: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, speaking after talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou at the Foreign Office on Thursday, said the British government, which supports Turkey's candidacy for European Union membership, will pursue the reunification of Cyprus before May 1 (when Cyprus will formally become an EU member), as well as Ankara's bid to obtain a date for accession negotiations at the end of the year.

''I cannot characterize reunification prospects, but what is important is with which conditions the solution will be achieved. Our duty is to help the negotiations,'' Straw said who, however, separated the issue of a solution to the issue of Cyprus from that of Turkey's accession course.

Referring to the same issue, Papandreou said that although a solution to the issue of Cyprus ''does not belong to the so-called political criteria of Copenhagen, it officially constitutes one of paramount political importance and will constitute a crucial element in assessments to be made at the end of the year.''

[02] Greek and German FMs discuss Cyprus issue, Turkey's EU accession

BERLIN 23/01/2004 (ANA/P. Stangos)

Fischer, who returned from Ankara on Thursday night, said that both the fulfillment and implementation in practice of the Copenhagen criteria on the part of Turkey, and its positive contribution to a solution to the Cyprus issue, are ''very important'' for Turkey's accession to the EU.

''It is very significant that the opportunity exists today for the Cyprus issue to be resolved for Europe and the two neighbors (Greece and Turkey), as well as for the two communities in Cyprus, and this opportunity should be utilized, which is also what I said in Ankara,'' the German foreign minister said.

According to Fischer, mobility taking place on the Cyprus issue ''is not by chance'' and is linked, on the one hand, to efforts towards reforms being made by Turkey ''with very good results, as we think'' and, on the other, to the fact that the date is approaching on which the EU must decide in connection with the beginning of accession negotiations with Turkey.

Papandreou spoke of a ''decisive year'' for Cyprus.

''Cyprus is becoming a member of the European Union, the Turkish Cypriot community wants to become a member of a united Cyprus and Turkey also wants to become a member of the EU and get a date for the beginning of accession negotiations,'' the Greek foreign minister said, adding that a ''common vision'' is appearing, that is to say ''leaving historic feuds in the past and proceeding together in a difficult conjuncture without wars, without dividing lines in a united Cyprus.''

Papandreou and Fischer then had a brief private meeting in which members of their delegations were included afterwards.

Papandreou says no pessimism if Cyprus solution not reached by May 1: In statements following his talks here with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Thursday there was hope that a solution to the Cyprus issue could be reached by May 1.

''Of course the hope exists that we will be able to solve the (Cyprus) problem by May 1, from then on, however, we must not create pessimism if we are not able to achieve it by May 1,'' Papandreou said.

''I believe that the end of this year, when another very important decision will be taken regarding the start of (EU) accession talks with Turkey, is the timeframe within which we must move,'' the Greek foreign minister added.

[03] Papandreou on proposal for reduction in defense spending by Greece, Turkey

LONDON 23/01/2004 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

Regarding the possibility of NATO's involvement in the matter, Papandreou clarified that ''even though NATO usually asks for more defense spending, Greece and Turkey already contribute enough, therefore there is no such issue.''

The Greek foreign leader departed late afternoon for Berlin for talks with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer.

[04] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos begins historic visit to Cuba

HAVANA 23/01/2004 (ANA/M. Papoutsaki)

Portraits of the patriarch adorn central areas in the Cuban capital and the interest of the international media in the event appears to be extensive.

Shortly afterwards, touching scenes occurred at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the reason for the patriarch's visit, in the presence of the Cuban Culture Minister.

Vartholomeos made the wish that his presence in Cuba will be the occasion for the beginning of constructive relations between the patriarchate and the Cuban people.

Events will heighten on Sunday when the patriarch will inaugurate the newly-built Saint Nicholas Cathedral, built with the money of the Cuban people, despite the fact the majority of Cubans follow the Roman Catholic faith.

Orthodox believers are few, not more than 100. However, the invitation President Castro extended to the patriarch is interpreted as yet another overture to the Western world, following the visit by the Pope five years ago.

Vartholomeos is accompanied, apart from clerics, by about 2,000 pilgrims, including many businessmen.

[05] Greek and Lebanese presidents open business forum in Beirut

BEIRUT 23/01/2004 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Stephanopoulos is currently on the second day of a three-day official visit to Lebanon, the first such visit by a Greek head of State in 30 years. He inaugurated the forum alongside his Lebanese counterpart Emile Lahoud.

''My visit is very important for Greece and the business people that accompanied me, not just because it is taking place in a country that is as much a friend as Lebanon but because it is taking place in a country that offers so many opportunities for further cooperation with Greece,'' Stephanopoulos said.

The Greek president arrived in Lebanon at the head of a delegation of roughly 50 Greek business people and government officials.

The forum was also addressed by Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, who said that Lebanon was a ''gateway to the Arab world'', while both Greece and Lebanon could make use of each other's respective advantages to gain greater access to some of the largest regional markets in the world, those of the European Union, the Balkans, southeast Europe and the Middle East.

Stephanopoulos also met representatives of Lebanon's Greek-community unions, after which he visited the Lebanese Parliament and then attended a mass at the nearby Orthodox church of St. George.

[06] Main opposition blasts draft election law, 'last-minute barrage of bills'

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Honorary ND leader Constantine Mitsotakis was scathing about the poor show of MPs for the ruling party and the absence of Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, while pointing out that the government had simultaneously tabled 16 draft bills currently under consideration at parallel sessions of Parliamentary committees.

According to Mitsotakis this constituted a ''serious Constitutional anomaly'' since the draft bills were being passed almost as mandatory laws and he expressed doubts about whether the President of the Republic ought to ratify them under these circumstances.

ND leader Costas Karamanlis, meanwhile, challenged Foreign Minister George Papandreou to take a stand on the events unfolding in Parliament as the future leader of his party.

Papandreou is sole candidate for ruling PASOK's leadership and has effectively taken over the job of leading the party to elections on March 7. His leadership will be confirmed by a party vote on February 8, while he stands to head any PASOK government that emerges from the elections.

''This peculiar silence on the part of PASOK's new leader is offensive to Parliament and a provocation to the electorate,'' Karamanlis said.

He accused the government of rushing to ''settle accounts and racing against time to tie up loose ends, bring its own people into the state through the window and hand out a few more jobs''.

Karamanlis claimed that much of the draft legislation recently tabled by the government was ill-conceived, containing contradictory measures and had clear pre-election motives, while it did not express any political line and could not possibly be dealt with adequately in the time remaining before the elections.

He strongly questioned the wisdom of discussing reforms to the electoral system in the run-up to an election and suggested the government was using a bill on the Capital Markets Code to decriminalize insider trading and market manipulation.

[07] Change of PASOK's name 'not on the agenda' FM Papandreou says

LONDON 23/01/2004 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

Speaking to reporters following a meeting he had with his British counterpart Jack Straw, Papandreou said ''we have not spoken about the change of the name but about the change in the way of functioning,'' adding that ''if the members ask for it, if it is raised collectively, we will see, however, it is not on the agenda.''

Replying to a question whether former Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos' return to the main opposition New Democracy will affect the prospects of PASOK in the March 7 general elections, Papandreou stated that ''what is of interest to PASOK is the broader participation of the citizen in the procedures. We are making a small revolution which is directed to every citizen who wishes to participate''.

[08] Return of Avramopoulos to main opposition ND made official

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

The 45-minute meeting between them was described as ''warm and friendly'', while Karamanlis stressed that the former mayor's contribution to the joint effort to win the elections would be very important.

Karamanlis noted that in 45 days the electorate will turn a new page and decide on a new type of government based on a contract of honor and trust with politicians. At this crucial juncture, he added, Avramopoulos' decision to take part in ND's struggle was a responsible one.

Avramopoulos had quit the main opposition party while he was Athens mayor and had set up his own 'Movement of Free Citizens' party in March 2001, only to suspend the party's operations roughly one year later. He had originally run for mayor in 1994 as ND's candidate and was re-elected to the mayor's office as an independent candidate in 1998.

[09] Greek-American leaders call for changes to Annan plan to make it more functional

NEW YORK 23/01/2004 (ANA-T. Ellis)

The Greek-American community leaders held talks on Wednesday with secretary of state Colin Powell, US president George Bush's national security advisor Condoleezza Rice, and US undersecretary of State for political affairs Mark Grossman at the White House and the State Department.

They also asked that the Un refrain from calling for referenda on the plan (in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities) until completion of any prospective negotiations on the plan, and insisted that the US play the role of a "neutral mediator" and avoid acting in any way that could be construed as stifling pressure on the sides involved.

The Greek-American leaders further said that Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to the US would be an excellent opportunity for President Bush to make it clear to the Turkish prime minister that Turkey's EU membership hinged on a viable solution of the Cyprus issue.

Taking part in the meetings were World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) president Andrew Athens, Cyprus Federation of American president Panikos Papanicolaou, World Coordinating Committee for the Cyprus Struggle chairman Philip Christopher, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce chairman Andreas Komodromos, American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) vice-president Fraglinos Manios, and Cyprus Federation of American vice-president Nikos Mougiaris.

[10] KKE leader visits Athens university campus in Zografou

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

She stressed that KKE wanted young people to be the ''life-blood of a great modern Movement that seeks to bring about great changes to our country and the international environment''.

Referring to the two main parties, meanwhile, Papariga underlined that no one presented new programs and innovative ideas just before an election.

''On March 8 [the day after the polls] we will continue in the same direction and this is very important with regard to what we demand prior to elections,'' she said.

[11] Opinion poll gives ND 3 pc lead over PASOK, FM more popular than ND leader

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) gets 5 percent in the poll, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 2.8, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 2 and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.1, while 12.3 percent of respondents preferred ''other parties.''

On the question of which party is expected to win the election, 46.1 percent said ND and 39 PASOK.

As regards the question who is most suitable for prime minister, Foreign Minister and PASOK leadership candidate George Papandreou leads with 46.3 percent against 43.4 for ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

Papandreou is also ahead in the ''popularity'' sector with 64.6 percent compared to 60.6 for Karamanlis.

The popularity rates for the other party leaders are 44 percent for Coalition leader Nikos Constantopoulos, 36 for DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas, 22 for KKE leader Aleka Papariga and 21 for LAOS leader George Karatzaferis.

Respondents also gave their views on which party they believe is most suitable to rule the country. PASOK received 39.7 percent and ND 38.9.

According to the geographical distribution of party support, ND is ahead in northern Greece, but PASOK is more powerful in the Attica prefecture enclosing Athens, while ND is again ahead in the rest of the country.

The opinion poll was carried out with 1,601 respondents with the method of the ballot box questionnaire on January 16-21.

[12] Border police to gradually replace FYROM troops on borders with Greece

SKOPJE 23/01/2004 (ANA/N. Frangopoulos)

As of February 1, three-month training will begin for about 300 professional troops who will be transferred from the defense ministry, to which they currently belong, to the interior ministry which shall be responsible for the border police.

On completion of their training, they will undertake to guard the borders between FYROM and Greece.

A representative of the OSCE in FYROM termed the replacement of military forces on the borders by police a ''positive step in the direction of the demilitarization of the borders.''

[13] Greece unveils 9.25-bln-euro public investment program

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas, in a circular issued by the ministry, stressed that from the total 9.25 billion euros, 3.95 billion would be covered by national funds while the remaining 5.3 billion euros from both national and community funds.

The Greek minister also reported on the government's Public Investment Program for 2003, which totalled 8.6 billion euros.

Mr Pahtas said that the previous year's program was the largest ever.

According to Bank of Greece's provisional data, payments in a Public Investment Program totalled 8.537 billion euros last year, accounting for 99.3 percent of payment limit, an increase of around 20 percent compared with 2002 (7.1 billion euros).

Of the total 8.6 billion euros, 4.44 billion were earmarked for co-funded projects.

Mr Pahtas stressed that this year's Public Investment Program was decided according to the needs of the economy and the fundamentals of economic policy. He noted that this year's program, totalling more than 9.0 billion euros, would contributed effectively in achieving main economic policy goals, creating a climate of sustainable growth and improving the country's living standards.

[14] Greece, Turkey sign memorandum of cooperation for extension of Egnatia Highway

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Through this agreement, Turkey will advance the upgrading of the road axis, which extends the Egnatia Highway to Istanbul, securing the same level of service of transport from both sides of the borders. It concerns a distance of 253 kilometers from the Greek-Turkish borders to Istanbul.

At the meeting between the two ministers, a decision was reached for the setting up of a joint service which will be responsible for upgrading the specific road and railway axis. This service will have offices in Athens and Istanbul. The first meeting of the joint service will be held in Thessaloniki on February 26.

The two ministers also discussed issues concerning telecommunications in the sector of mobile telephony.

[15] SBBE urges promotion of Thessaloniki's bid for EXPO 2008

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

SBBE said that the bid should be a priority national goal, a common vision for all economic and social agencies in the city of Thessaloniki and noted that the business sector should help in promoting the city's candidacy.

The union urged for adoption of a series of promotional measures, such as adopting the EXPO logo to all communication papers, creating a link between business sites and the EXPO site and promoting the bid within all business communication actions.

SBBE said that hosting the EXPO 2008 in Thessaloniki would result to significant economic, social and cultural benefits for the city, the Northern Greece region and the wider Southeastern Europe.

[16] EU Commission seeks legal proceedings against eight member-states

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

The Commission it would resort with the European Court against Greece, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, UK, Holland, Sweden and Finland for failing to adopt community directives by April 20, 2003.

The directive envisaged that when an insurance company, with branches in other member-states, went into liquidation, the proceedings followed should be based on legislation of the country-origin of the company.

The EU's executive said that failure by these countries to adopt community directives within agreed deadlines undermined equal terms between EU member-states and economic competitiveness in the region.

[17] Greek stocks end volatile session slightly higher

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.07 percent higher at 2,491.04 points, off the day's highs of 2,522.86 points and near the day's lows of 2,481.27 points.

Traders said that several investors preferred to take profits after seeing the index surpassing the 2,500-point resistance level and noted that strong buying easily absorbed offers.

The Cement and Base Metal sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.90 percent and 1.34 percent, respectively), while the IT Product and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.41 percent and 0.96 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.11 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.01 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.08 percent higher.

Turnover was a heavy 227.8 million euros.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 201 to 89 with another 66 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of January 22 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,281 1,251

[18] PM Simitis chairs cabinet meeting on Olympic Games preparation

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

''The day-by-day completion of Olympic Games preparation has refuted and is refuting the groundless negative criticism we have received that we are not capable of organizing the Games, that the Games will be taken from Greece, that projects will not get underway and will not be completed and that debts will result for the generations to come,'' the prime minister said afterwards.

''The beginning of 2004 is being signaled by the last and most crucial phase of Olympic Games preparation,'' Simitis said and termed the whole undertaking a systematic and ambitious plan to modernize the country in the sectors of Greece's infrastructures, mentality, work methods, competitiveness and international image.

Simitis also outlined the four targets set for Olympic Games preparation.

Firstly, the excellent holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the active participation of society and the best possible performance of Greek athletes.

Secondly, identifying Greece in the eyes of international public opinion with the successful holding of the Games, which shall have long-term positive repercussions on the country's prestige.

Thirdly, maintaining the economic and development structure of Olympic Games preparation, which contributes to the GDP increase rate, employment and the creation of new possibilities for the country.

Fourthly, utilizing Olympic Games projects after the Games are over, and not only for sport but for culture as well and for the society of citizens in particular.

Simitis also disclosed that 4.6 billion euros are being invested for the needs of Olympic Games preparation in Athens and in other cities where Olympic Games events will be held, as well as in rural areas.

Referring to the same issue after the cabinet meeting, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said preparation for the Olympic Games was handled as the most ambitious plan for the country's modernization and, in parallel, as a national issue.

Venizelos also said ''we want the Olympic growth surplus to reach the last citizen in the country'', adding that special emphasis will be placed on rural areas after the Olympic Games.

Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris said that, apart from accredited journalists, about 5,000 reporters will be coming to Athens who must be accommodated during the Olympic Games.

He also focused on foreign press reports, saying that the majority of them are positive today, and estimating that 1,000 articles and reports are published every day on the Athens Olympic Games.

[19] ATHOC president and police chief discuss security for Olympic installations

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

According to reports, for each installation, regardless of whether it will be used for a sporting event or not, there will be different security and emergency plans, since the requirements of each facility necessitate a different handling.

A review was also made during the meeting of progress achieved in the sector of Olympic Games security, while the course of installing security systems by the SAIC joint venture was likewise examined.

[20] Snowfall causes flight cancellations, sailing ban

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Snowfall from the early morning hours in the northern suburbs of Athens has stopped traffic on Parnitha, parts of Penteli and Hymettus, while schools were closed for the day in eastern Attica.

Also, Olympic Airways was forced to cancel at least 15 domestic flights due to problems at airports in northern Greece and the islands of the eastern Aegean, while an Alitalia flight from Athens to Milan was also cancelled due to bad weather conditions in the Italian city. All other flights to and from Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos international airport were being carried out on schedule.

Further, due to the inclement weather and gale-force winds in the seas, in places reaching 8-beaufort intensity, all sailings from the ports of Rafina and Piraeus were prohibited, while the Kavala-Prinos, Thassos-Keramotis, Lefkini-Igoumenitsa and Alexandroupolis-Samothraki ferry lines were also closed.

[21] One in two Greek youths an Internet user in 2003, report

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Yiannis Kalogirou, secretary-general of a government-sponsored "Information Society" business program, said that the number of Internet users has risen significantly in 2003, with one in four Greeks in 2003 from one in 10 in 2001 (figures showing users aged 15-65 years).

In a review of the program's progress in 2003, Mr Kalogirou said that it has achieved all goals set in the framework of a Crash and mini Crash program.

Programs and projects included in the Information Society program in 2003 were budgeted at 1.58 billion euros (accounting for 56 percent of total budget), exceeding an official target for a budget of 1.33 billion euros.

A total of 96 projects and programs were auctioned in 2003, worth 805 million euros, exceeding a target of 582 million euros, while the program fully absorbed EU funds (totalling 264 million euros in 2003), Mr Kalogirou stressed.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Kalogirou said that 2004 was a year of high expectations and demands for the program because of three significant events (general elections, euro-elections, Olympic Games) in the country.

He expected to sign new contracts, worth 550 million euros, under the program this year.

[22] Recourse against 9 EU states for violating legislation on atmospheric pollution

BRUSSELS 23/01/2004 (ANA/V. Demiris)

Specifically, the Commission recoursed against Greece, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Spain because they did not incorporate in national law EU directives which aim at preventing or reducing the harmful repercussions of atmospheric pollution to public health and the environment.

[23] Three arrested, 388 kilos of hashish seized in narcotics bust

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

Two Albanian nationals and a Greek living in Aspropyrgos were taken into custody on charges of drugs-trafficking and drug-dealing. The drugs were found in an apartment owned by the Greek that was used as a warehouse by the Albanians.

Police also discovered a handgun and clip in a car owned by one of the Albanian suspects and the sum of 5,300 euros in his home, while a search of the second Albanian's home revealed 13 packages of cannabis weighing a total of 12 kilos and an unregistered hunting rifle.

[24] Anti-war rally against "occupation in Iraq" to be staged in March

Athens, 23/01/2004 (ANA)

The Forum meeting, attended by 150 organizations from 132 countries, was opened by "Stop the War" alliance founding member Petros Constantinou.

On Thursday, Constantinou and other members of the Alliance and representatives of peace and trade union organizations, outlined the discussions and results of the Forum meeting to reporters attending a press conference at the GSEE general confederation of workers of Greece headquarters in central Athens.

They urged working people, students and pupils to attend the rally, with the demands: "Stop the occupation in Iraq", "Freedom for Palestine", and "No Greek Participation".

[25] Cyprus spokesman: Annan's reference 'positive'

NICOSIA 23/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Thursday that as things move on it will become clear whether Annan continues to insist on the terms he has set out for the resumption of talks.

''The Secretary-General refers in a positive way to the side which has already sent positive messages for the resumption of talks, he is certainly referring to the Greek Cypriot side,'' the spokesman said and recalled that President Tassos Papadopoulos sent in mid December a letter to Annan asking him to reengage in the peace effort and call the two sides back to the negotiating table.

Invited to comment on the absence on the part of the Secretary General to his terms, Chrysostomides replied ''the statement speaks for itself, it is crystal clear, I have nothing more to add at this stage.''

Annan said in Germany on Wednesday that he had heard from ''one of the parties and I am waiting to see what I hear from the others.'' In his April report on the failure of the latest attempt to clinch a deal, Annan said unless the two sides in Cyprus, backed by Greece and Turkey, show the political will to negotiate and conclude an agreement and put it to separate simultaneous referenda, he is not willing to reengage in talks.

Replying to questions, the spokesman said that ''we shall see in the course of developments whether Annan's terms continue to be in place.''

''The statement does not mention the terms which Annan had set out, we shall see how things develop,'' he added.

Annan is due to meet Turkey's premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in Davos, he has already talked to the German foreign minister, and Erdogan will see US President George Bush next week.

Spokesman says German statements positive: Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides on Thursday described as positive statements by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer that Berlin would help efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

''Fischer's statement is positive. EU countries are becoming involved and want to help towards a proper solution of the Cyprus problem before May 1, as is our wish exactly,'' the spokesman added.

Speaking after a meeting in Germany on Wednesday with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Fischer said his country would do everything it could to reach a settlement within the European spirit and UN principles.

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