Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Main opposition ND party unveils economic platform

[02] Alternate FM says solution to Cyprus issue, 'possibly' by May 1

[03] UN secretary general satisfied with stance of all politicians on Cyprus issue

[04] Public order minister ends visit to Russia

[05] Formal election of FM Papandreou as new PASOK leader

[06] Damanaki repeats statements by FM Papandreou

[07] ALCO opinion poll shows Pachtas affair cost PASOK points

[08] Two main parties are rivals with the same policies, KKE leader tells students

[09] Parliament speaker receives junior Cypriot diplomats

[10] Leopard tank manufacturer denies 'Der Spiegel' report

[11] US President George W. Bush submits budget for fiscal year 2005

[12] BIE officials praise Thessaloniki bid for EXPO 2008 in talks with Greek minister

[13] European Commission decides to take Greece to European Court on sea transport

[14] Transport minister rules out higher train fares on Athens-Thessaloniki route

[15] Greece suggests Greek-Cypriot-Lebanese business cooperation

[16] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

[17] PM Simitis inaugurates new hospital in Pyrgos

[18] Transport ministry presents new articulated trolley buses for Athens

[19] Gov't, local authorities sign protocol on better access for disabled

[20] 'Security on the net' event

[21] Archbishop Christodoulos addresses conference of NATO military priests

[01] Main opposition ND party unveils economic platform

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

More analytically, ND's economic program envisages a gradual increase in a supplementary pension payment to 230 euros by the end of 2008 and an increase in pension payments to farmers to 330 euros.

ND said that corporate taxes would be cut to 25 percent from 35 percent currently, while tax factors would be cut also for Greek households.

The main opposition party said that young unemployed, registered with the unemployment agency, would be considered protected members of a family for two more years, easing their families' tax burden.

The platform envisages that companies hiring unemployed youths, unemployed mothers and unemployed people 55 years of age and more would be offered a 50 percent subsidy on their employers' contribution for two years.

Unemployed people would be offered more capital to begin their business activity, while unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits could offer social work, either full or part-time, with the state offering additional spending to cover their social security and minimum wages.

The program also seeks to achieve equality in work between men and women and offers a pledge to seek consensus on collective pay negotiations and working week hours.

ND political party also said that its program envisaged cutting, in half, advance tax payment for all newly set-up companies, full deregulation of domestic markets with a wide privatization program in the banking sector, with the exception of Agricultural Bank.

ND party said it would seek rapid response to investors' demands and to offer a stable and simplified tax framework program aimed to attract foreign investments in the country.

The party's economic platform also envisages measures to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, actions to combat price increases (such as lowering operating costs, smooth operation of competition, adequate information to the public and supporting consumer groups).

The program also envisages a redesigning of all development incentives, restructuring and speeding-up a public investments program and a Third Community Support Framework, supporting exports and expanding growth around the country.

ND said it would seek also to re-examine tax legislation on financial income (savings, bonds, repos) and establishing a system of long-term private pension savings accounts.

ND pledged to fully implement a social security reform program, initially adopted in 1990-1993, to seek a gradual integration of all similar pension funds and to combatting tax-evasion.

The party's economic platform also envisages the flotation of Hellenic Post along with signing a commercial and equity partnership with a large foreign company and the state holding the majority of the company's shares.

Athens Water should sign a strategic partnership agreement with large international company, while Olympic Airways should be sold to a private airline while the state would pay compensation for all surplus staff of the company, the program said.

The state would remain the largest shareholder in Public Power Corporation, while new private electricity production companies should be facilitated in entering the domestic market, ND said.

The platform said that funds to implement a new economic policy should be raised from increasing public revenues, combatting tax-evasion, a more efficient control of state spending, lowering the cost of public debt servicing and reducing defense spending.

ND leader says party's economic program offers solutions: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis presented his party's economic program on Tuesday in light of the election on March 7.

''We are proposing an agreement of honor to each social group and each citizen separately for the policy of the next four years, an explicit and absolutely binding one,'' he said.

Karamanlis criticized the government for the policy it has implemented and said ''we know that the problems of the economy we shall be receiving are many and serious. However, solutions exist, funds exist and a mood for us to work exists. We know the problems, as well as the solutions and we want and can succeed. Today, it is more than obvious that the PASOK system is unable to meet the issues of the new era and to promote necessary reforms and it has even lost the ability for management.''

The ND leader referred analytically to commitments contained in his party's program and stressed that it will lead to growth, employment and social justice.

''The new economic policy we are ready to implement as of March 8 constitutes a basic demand of the new era and a demand for a wide social alliance which shall lead our country to a new chapter of confidence and optimism,'' he added.

Government sees contradictions in ND program: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said there were ''huge contradictions'' in the economic platform announced by the main opposition, noting that a more extensive analysis of these will follow.

Protopapas stressed his satisfaction that Karamanlis had promised hand-outs, saying it was an indirect admission that the economy, which ND had previously described as ruined, was able to withstand these and therefore, of the government's good work in this area.

He criticized ND's proposed social insurance reforms, saying these rolled back rights for pensioners and low-paid, and the main opposition's proposals for privatizations.

Opposition parties criticized ND's economic program immediately after it was announced.

An announcement by the Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) press office said the economic program presented by ND constitutes a commitment to capital and to the targets and functions of the European Union.

It added that the program is a variation of the government's antipopular policy which has been experienced over the past decade and is based on free business initiative, meaning privatizations and the deregulation of markets and the strengthening of the competitiveness of capital which is based on the looting of the workers' toil.

The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology said the program is a continuation of PASOK's right-wing economic policy, ''a policy bringing increasing inequalities, both social and regional, high unemployment, the restriction of the social state and the downgrading of public health and education.''

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said on his part ND is trying to mislead people belonging to the lower and middle classes with contradictory and populist declarations in order to take their votes.

[02] Alternate FM says solution to Cyprus issue, 'possibly' by May 1

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

Replying to a questioner, Yiannitsis said ''we are faced with great mobility on the Cyprus issue'' and ''it appears that Turkey and, I suppose, the Turkish Cypriot side as well, have abandoned the inflexible and negative positions they have followed until now and that they are prepared for us to forge ahead and seek solutions.''

Yiannitsis also said ''we are ready and we are in absolute coordination with the Cypriot side'' but ''we are waiting to see that these intentions will indeed be translated into actual moves and, of course, we are waiting to see how the UN secretary general will evaluate the intentions and commitments of the Turkish side, which we are not aware of.''

[03] UN secretary general satisfied with stance of all politicians on Cyprus issue

WASHINGTON 04/02/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Within the next few days he is prepared to send invitations for the resumption of negotiations and after communicating first with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

This appeared from statements Annan made on leaving the White House where he held meetings, and attended a dinner, with US President George W. Bush and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

US encouraged by Ankara's 'genuine desire' for Cyprus solution: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan held talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department on Tuesday which focused, among other matters, on Iraq, North Korea and Cyprus.

Speaking after the meeting, White House spokesman Scot McClellan said the US ''is extremely encouraged by the fact that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul made it clear in their meetings in Washington last week that there is a genuine willingness on the part of Turkey to accept the terms of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for talks to be resumed immediately.''

Moving along the steadfast lines adopted by the US in past days, the U.S. official added that Washington ''encourages all the sides to meet the demands of the secretary general for the resumption of talks to enable the timely achievement of a solution and to have a reunited Cyprus join the EU.''

In a related development, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said during a regular press briefing ''the secretary of state reiterated our full support to the secretary general for efforts he is making on the issue of Cyprus.''

He further said ''we made clear that the United States stays - continues support at the highest levels: the UN Secretary General's good offices mission for Cyprus and the role of the UN secretary general as facilitator in that process. As you know, we've been encouraged by the fact that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul have made clear in their meetings in Washington that there's a genuine willingness on Turkey's part to meet the UN secretary general's requirements for resuming peace talks immediately. The secretary has made that point also to the Greek Cypriot president. We're urging all the parties to commit to Secretary General Annan, to meet his requirements to resume talks, so that a settlement may be reached in time for a reunited Cyprus to join the EU on May 1st. So they discussed that somewhat today.''

Boucher noted that ''the secretary has been discussing it with all the parties. He has had regular exchanges with various people on this subject for quite a while, and he will continue I think to work actively on this in support of the secretary general's effort.''

The spokesman concluded by saying ''and he made, as I said, clear today to the secretary general our full support for his efforts and said that we would do - he would do, we would do whatever we could to support the secretary general's efforts. So conversations, phone calls, interventions, letters, whatever is appropriate to make, to encourage the parties to move forward in the direction that the secretary general has set forth.''

[04] Public order minister ends visit to Russia

MOSCOW 04/02/2004 (ANA/C. Tomaras)

Floridis was accompanied on his visit to Russia by Greek Police chief Fotis Nasiakos, National Intelligence Service chief Pavlos Apostolidis and other officials.

The Greek delegation held talks on Tuesday morning with Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo, while the meeting was indicative of the importance attached by Russia to Floridis' visit.

Agreements reached during Monday's contacts between the two sides were ratified during the meeting and Rushailo said immediately afterwards cooperation between Greece and Russia in all sectors is excellent and emphasized Greece's role, when it held the European Union presidency, in the development of relations between Russia and Europe.

Floridis gave a press conference for the ''Tass'' news agency at noon and outlined the purpose of his visit to Moscow and the agreements reached.

The press conference focused in particular on the issue of cooperation between Greece and Russia on handling a possible act of terrorism during the summer Olympic Games.

The minister did not deny that Russia has provided a list of Chechens in Greece.

''Cooperation in this sector is high and very good. However, I would not like to go into details,'' he said.

Floridis reiterated that his visit to Moscow was an absolute success since cooperation was achieved in the sector of information for Olympic security.

Moreover, assistance was achieved from Russia to tackle the possibility of radiobiological chemical warfare, as well as forest fires in the summer, while it was also agreed to activate past agreements on joint operations and close cooperation in facing organized crime, drugs and human trafficking.

On the question of technological equipment being provided, it was agreed that Russia will provide a list immediately of all that it can provide and Greece will declare all that it needs, without any mention being made of financial exchange.

The visit was concluded in the afternoon with a meeting between the Greek delegation and the board of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB-the former KGB).

[05] Formal election of FM Papandreou as new PASOK leader

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

The election of George Papandreou as PASOK president is a foregone conclusion given that he is the sole candidate.

The PASOK congress will begin on Friday and end on Sunday with the formal announcement that Papandreou will be the new party leader, succeeding PASOK leader and current Prime Minister Costas Simitis who has been at the helm for eight years.

[06] Damanaki repeats statements by FM Papandreou

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at an event held in Athens in support of ruling PASOK's leadership candidate George Papandreou, entitled ''Present for Victory'', Damanaki said ''we agree with all of you that politics is a battle of ideas, an expression of social participation and solidarity.''

Deputy Interior Minister Nikos Bistis on his part said: "In George Papandreou's effort to open a new political cycle for the great democratic front, we are not only allies but participants as well".

[07] ALCO opinion poll shows Pachtas affair cost PASOK points

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

According to the results, with respect to "intended vote", the difference has widened to 4.1 percentage points in favor of main opposition New Democracy (ND) party over the ruling PASOK party, from 2.4 percentage points in a similar ALCO poll before the Porto Carras issue was brought to light.

However, foreign minister George Papandreou, slated to take over the PASOK helm from premier Costas Simitis, retains his lead as the "most qualified for prime minister".

More specifically, 40.4 percent of respondents said they intended to vote for ND (up from 39.7 percent in the previous poll), against 36.7 percent for PASOK (down from 37.3 percent), 5.5 percent for the KKE (up from 5.0 percent), 2.8 percent for SYN (up from 2.5 percent), 0.91 percent for DHKKI (down from 1.6 percent), and 1.6 percent for LAOS (up from 1.4 percent), while 8.2 percent did not respond.

Papandreou was considered the most qualified for prime minister by 43.6 percent of the respondents (down from 46.3 percent), against 40.7 percent for ND leader Costas Karamanlis (up from 39.5 percent).

Rallying among the ND voters reached 90 percent (slightly down from 90.1 percent), while among PASOK voters it fell to 79.3 percent (from 81.75 percent in the previous poll).

PASOK retains its lead in the 18-24 age bracket, while ND was leading in popularity in the agricultural regions. The two main parties were neck-and-neck in the urban centers.

The opinion poll was conducted between January 26 and 31.

[08] Two main parties are rivals with the same policies, KKE leader tells students

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at the Athens University School of Philosophy, Papariga outlined her party's policies for young people and women, noting that both groups found themselves "in the eye of the cyclone" when they set out to look for work.

She attacked the policies of both parties for employment and on tackling joblessness, particular proposals to extend part-time work for women and mothers made by PASOK leadership candidate George Papandreou.

"Women do not dream of having half a job, half pay, half dreams and half a personality," she said.

[09] Parliament speaker receives junior Cypriot diplomats

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

If we proceed steadfastly in accordance with the principles we have followed so far for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, we will have a good result," Kaklamanis added.

He said the Greek-Cypriot side had displayed respect for international rules and a positive stance to United Nations initiatives, in contrast to the Turkish-Cypriot side, which had trapped itself by insisting on a negative stance even after Cyprus became a member of the European Union.

[10] Leopard tank manufacturer denies 'Der Spiegel' report

BERLIN 04/02/2004 (ANA/P. Stangos)

In a press release issued on Tuesday afternoon, KMW stated that ''it never bribed or offered something in exchange'' to anyone and that ''it is not aware'' of the existence of judicial investigations against it or against its associates.

The press release refers to the end of its cooperation with the local company IBOS in 2001, without ''touching on'' KMW's relation with it, explaining that in relation offset benefits and cooperation with the Greek companies participating in the manufacturing of the Leopard tanks, the founding of a subsidiary (of KMW) in Greece was considered more beneficial and effective, confirming at the same time that ''no payments were made to IBOS.''

[11] US President George W. Bush submits budget for fiscal year 2005

WASHINGTON 04/02/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Economic aid funds anticipate the provision of 13.5 million dollars for Cyprus, for the strengthening of the peace process and of contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as 50 million dollars for Turkey and for the support of its balance of payments in particular.

In military aid funds, the provision of 34 million dollars to Turkey is proposed for the modernization of its armed forces, while in military training funds, the provision of 600,000 dollars is proposed for the training of Greek servicemen and four million dollars for the training of Turkish servicemen.

Lastly, the contribution of the US to the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus amounts to 6.4 million dollars.

[12] BIE officials praise Thessaloniki bid for EXPO 2008 in talks with Greek minister

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

In his talks with BIE president Wu Jianmin and BIE Secretary-General Vincente Gonzalez Loscertales, Kastanidis discussed details of the bid and the city's chosen theme for the 2008 exhibition: ''Mother Earth, Agriculture, Knowledge, Diet''. He later said the meeting had gone well and expressed confidence that the city would be selected.

He also handed each of the visiting BIE officials a complete dossier of Thessaloniki's bid, which was formally submitted at the BIE's headquarters in Paris on Sunday.

In statements to reporters, Loscertales and Jianmin praised the good work done by the city of Thessaloniki but also underlined the meetings they had in Athens with staff at the foreign ministry and Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis.

They said a BIE inspection team will visit Thessaloniki in April to assess its degree of readiness to host the trade fair, while the final decision to choose the host-city among the three candidates Thessaloniki, Saragossa and Trieste will be taken in December 2004.

After their meeting with Kastanidis, Jianmin and Loscertales will tour the archaeological sites of central Macedonia, while on Wednesday morning they will visit museums and monuments in the city before meeting Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos at noon and then departing for Paris.

[13] European Commission decides to take Greece to European Court on sea transport

BRUSSELS 04/02/2004 (ANA - A. Simatos)

The Commission has decided to send a warning letter to Greece, the first stage in the process. According to the Commission, partial exemption from EU rules concerning access to the domestic sea transport market had been in practice for Greece's benefit until January 1, 2004.

[14] Transport minister rules out higher train fares on Athens-Thessaloniki route

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

According to the minister, the OSE announcement concerned a proposal made by OSE's management that could not be accepted by the ministry.

The fares announced by OSE for the new timetable - in which the journey time has been drastically shortened by new rail works to 4.5 hours - would have made the price of a first-class ticket nearly 70 euros. This is roughly the same price or less as the airfares charged by private airlines for the same distance.

OSE later issued a new announcement saying that prices would stay at the same as on January 31, 2004, without further clarifications.

[15] Greece suggests Greek-Cypriot-Lebanese business cooperation

NICOSIA 04/02/2004 (ANA/G.Leronidas/CNA)

Kyprianou said already the relevant ministry departments are working on holding in Nicosia the first business council between the three countries, to be held around end of spring.

Loverdos said there is clear interest from both Cyprus and Greece while Lebanon was chosen because it is considered the gateway to the Arab world.

He explained, during a press conference on Monday with Kyprianou, that the first suggestion to formulate this cooperation was made during Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos' visit to Beirut, noting that Greece has been contemplating the idea for the last two years.

Loverdos said the three-party council that will be organized in Nicosia will provide an initial forum for business people of all three countries to get to know one another.

On his part, Kyprianou described the suggestion as �very interesting�, noting it will help the countries and their business people to further develop economically.

[16] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

The IT Solution and Textile sectors were the only ones to score gains (up 4.09 percent and 0.80 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, IT and Holding sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.13 percent, 2.06 percent and 1.90 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.91 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.73 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.18 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 236 to 72 with another 51 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 3 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,268 1,239

[17] PM Simitis inaugurates new hospital in Pyrgos

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

Among others, he stressed that 17 prefectural hospitals have been opened in the country under his tenure, while the national healthcare system (ESY) is also being constantly upgraded. Conversely, he criticized main opposition New Democracy party as wanting to abolish ESY.

Simitis last month announced that he would step down as prime minister immediately after the March 7 general election. Foreign Minister George Papandreou will, by all accounts, succeed Simitis as the leader of ruling PASOK at an extraordinary party congress this weekend.

The hospital in Pyrgos is named in honor of PASOK founder and three-time premier Andreas Papandreou, the late father of the current foreign minister.

[18] Transport ministry presents new articulated trolley buses for Athens

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

The new fleet of trolleys is expected to be on the streets of Athens before July.

Constructed by the Hellenic Vehicles Industry (ELBO), the new trolleys are 18 meters long and possess a variety of modern features, such as air-conditioning systems, electronic suspension, easy access for people with mobility problems, an independent diesel-power engine as a back-up during power failures and others, while they can carry up to 130 passengers.

ILPAP will acquire 51 of these articulated trolleys by July, as well as 91 new 12-metre trolleys, some of which have already been delivered and are in use. These will gradually replace the old yellow trolleys built in the '60s and '70s, which will be withdrawn.

[19] Gov't, local authorities sign protocol on better access for disabled

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

At a press conference attended by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, the head of the Union of Prefectural Authorities of Greece Fofi Gennimata and the vice-president of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE) G. Haralambous, as well as AmeA president Yiannis Vardakastanis, they said the agreement would focus on a pilot program called "Accessible Cities" and all aspects of inspecting and certifying accessibility to buildings, as well as developing the required legislative measures to ensure equal access to public spaces for all.

Other aspects touched on were access to electronic government for the disabled.

[20] 'Security on the net' event

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

The event was held as part of the Europe-wide campaign organized by the European Commission, which has declared February 6 as 'European Day for Security on the Internet".

Zorba warned that "navigation in the digital library of the world also includes extreme positions such as racism, violence, discrimination of all forms, contact with dangerous individuals, pornography".

"It is our obligation to ensure the rights of children in a safe internet, and this can be achieved through dialogue with the family and school, increasing public awareness, and with the assistance of the NGOs in order to develop standards and specifications, as well as to point out quality websites," Zorba said, adding that governments, too, needed to take legislative initiatives to that end.

Greece's Assistant Ombudsman George Moschos, speaking on behalf of the State, said that a child's security on the Internet was a major aspect of children's rights dealt with by the institution of the Ombudsman. He said numerous charges were phoned in daily on children�s rights violations in cyberspace on the Ombudsman office's toll-free hotline 8011142000, which would soon become a four-digit number and was open to any adult or minor coming across illegal activities on the web.

[21] Archbishop Christodoulos addresses conference of NATO military priests

Athens, 04/02/2004 (ANA)

Archbishop Christodoulos referred to the wave of immigration being experienced by Europe following the fall of communism, as well as to the upsurge in xenophobia, saying ''I believe it is a mistake to place the Judaic world in the same sack. First of all, they are a people who have been living with us for centuries. They are a people who are not only participating but who have also contributed dynamically to all sectors of our culture. The Judeans are not victims of social exclusion. The Judean who comes to Europe is not an immigrant in the way and for the reasons that other peoples are. Therefore, whatever problems of cooperation we are having with Jews are due to anti-Semitism. If, therefore, we desire to consolidate an environment of cooperation with the Jews, all we have to do is to deal a blow at anti-Semitism.''

He also spoke of the ''justification of interventions by NATO'', stressing that ''the justification of intervention must be explained every time and must be convincing. It must be convincing both for the peoples of NATO member-states and for the peoples of the countries in which intervention takes place.''

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