Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parliament dissolved, Presidential Decree calls voters to polls on March 7

[02] ND leader visits Menidi, outlines party's targets

[03] Gov't spokesman on Manos, Andrianopoulos

[04] Left-wing politician Mimis Androulakis to cooperate with PASOK

[05] Two Democratic Renaissance party candidates to run with ND

[06] Communist party leader on PASOK expansion

[07] DHKKI leader Tsovolas blasts 'blue' and 'green' Right

[08] Poll shows PASOK narrowing gap with ND ahead of March 7 election

[09] PM Simitis chairs meeting on Cyprus issue with foreign ministers

[10] First-round Cyprus talks inconclusive but 'constructive' - To continue Wednesday

[11] US backs Annan's efforts for Cyprus solution, urges all sides to do likewise

[12] Alternate FM receives US and British ambassadors

[13] President Stephanopoulos receives delegation of mayors

[14] Greek economy grew around 5.0 pct in 4th qtr, FinMin says

[15] New PASOK leader briefed by central bank governor

[16] PASOK leader meets Greek merchants' union presidency

[17] Greece, Israel see great prospects in bilateral trade

[18] Gov't cuts medicine prices by up to 53 pct

[19] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise, led by banks

[20] Court dismisses defense objections in ELA trial

[21] Police bust two Internet porn sites, including one showing child pornography

[22] UN on Cyprus peace talks: Anything is possible

[23] Weston discusses 'some ideas' with President Papadopoulos

[24] Chrysostomides: we sincerely wish for Cyprus progress

[01] Parliament dissolved, Presidential Decree calls voters to polls on March 7

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Presidential Decree #48, signed by President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, dissolves the 10th Session of the Presidential Democracy Period, calls on the voters to elect the new members of parliament on March 7, and convenes the parliament to emerge from the elections for their first session on Thursday, March 18.

The Decree was posted by parliament's sergeant-at-arms, Brigadier N. Tsoukalis.

The dissolution of parliament marks the official commencement of the elections campaign period.

PASOK party announces state election ticket: European Union Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou heads the ruling PASOK party's state election ticket, whose composition was announced on Wednesday and which includes personalities from different sides of the political spectrum.

The six names topping the ticket are Anna Diamantopoulou, Maria Damanaki, Stefanos Manos, Mimis Androulakis, Andreas Andrianopoulos and Socrates Kosmidis.

PASOK's former secretary general Costas Laliotis holds last place on the ticket.

''Our country, in order to solve modern problems, needs the assistance of wide social and political forces,'' Foreign Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou said during the presentation of the party's state election ticket.

''PASOK, the great democratic and progressive party, also hosts different voices together with able and new members of our party. It hosts them, respecting their ideological independence, giving them the possibility of expressing themselves in the new Parliament as well. We welcome them also, as well as the hundreds of thousands of citizens who met up with our party in the polls on February 8,'' he added.

Papandreou said that PASOK and these social and political forces have also met in the past, on issues concerning the question of Cyprus, the European Union, Greek-Turkish relations, environmental protection, the struggle for modernization, the struggle against drugs, the movements ''for a different globalization with non-governmental organizations'' and the struggle for a new relation between the state and the citizen.

''PASOK had always, with Andreas Papandreou and Costas Simitis, called on forces with different views and political positions for solidarity which had, in parallel, a considerable contribution to the country's political life,'' he further said.

Papandreou said PASOK commits itself to remaining steadfast with its program aiming at a strong citizen, a society of justice and solidarity and balanced and socially fair development with increased protection for weaker groups.

PASOK leader, PM and PASOK secretary discuss state deputy ticket: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday had a two-hour meeting with PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis and new PASOK leader George Papandreou to discuss PASOK's state deputy ticket in the March 7 elections.

This is expected to be announced in the next few days.

Int. Min. Skandalidis final briefing of PM: Interior minister Costas Skandalidis briefed prime minister Costas Simitis Wednesday on the issues falling under his ministry's jurisdiction before the swearing-in Friday of Nikos Alivizatos as caretaker minister up to the March 7 general elections.

After the meeting, Skandalidis told reporters he had briefed the premier on the government's preparations for the elections, noting that ''the state mechanism, the interior ministry, the Prefectures and Municipalities of the country are ready to conduct the electoral procedure in an impeccable manner''.

He said that all the deadlines had been met, and expressed ''absolute certainty that the national elections of March 7 will be democratically impeccable with respect to both the technical and political aspect''.

Press min. says farewell ahead of caretaker min. assumption of duty: Press and media minister Christos Protopapas on Wednesday bade farewell to journalists in his final briefing as government spokesman ahead of the assumption of the ministry by George Romaios as caretaker minister up to the March 7 general elections.

Protopapas issued a "big thank you" to all the journalists he had been in constant contact with throughout his 2 1/2 years at the ministry.

Protopapas will formally resign on Thursday, and the caretaker minister will be sworn in on Friday.

[02] ND leader visits Menidi, outlines party's targets

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis referred to unemployment, criticizing the government for its policy, as well as Foreign Minister and PASOK party leader George Papandreou for his proposal on uninsured labor for young people which, as he added, creates the risk of dismissals for working people.

The ND leader said crime is on the increase in the area and underlined that nobody must remain inert before the continuation of the problem of drugs.

Karamanlis reiterated his main positions on strengthening the socially weak, providing upgraded health services, improving the educational system, boosting minimum pensions, supporting large families and the working mother, handling the high cost of living, solving the problem of additional interest and supporting local administration.

''We have planned and we can implement consensual reforms aimed at a creative transition from the old to the new and from the past to the future. All of us together form a wide social alliance for a new Greek vision in the new era, because it is time for the great political change the country needs,'' he said.

Karamanlis presents 'Map' for better quality of life in Athens: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday announced measures his party would take to improve the quality of life in the Attica Basin in the event ND won the March 7 general elections.

Addressing an election campaign event in the Athens district of Peristeri, Karamanlis said that ''as of March 8 we are changing policy and our lives'', adding that in light of the 2004 Olympic Games, ''we can all love our city again.''

Karamanlis accused the ruling PASOK party ''of being incompetent to deal with daily problems faced by citizens.''

He said his party's ''Attica Basin Map'' constitutes ''a prototype for the major urban centers throughout Greece.''

Points included in the Map are an improved traffic network and public transport service, the extension of the Metro and the tram, the creation of self-financed parking, more pedestrian walks and greenery and measures to combat atmospheric pollution through an increase in the use of natural gas.

[03] Gov't spokesman on Manos, Andrianopoulos

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

''Now we look forward and work toward our vision for society,'' Protopapas said.

The spokesman said that the participatory process that PASOK had initiated was an opening to all forces that wanted to cooperate with the party to carry out the reforms that were needed.

''We are opening and creating a majority movement that topples dividing walls and guarantees the security and prosperity of citizens,'' Protopapas added.

He also noted that if the logic of absolute consistency with the past were followed, then ND should not have cooperated with Papathemelis either.

[04] Left-wing politician Mimis Androulakis to cooperate with PASOK

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Androulakis made the announcement after a meeting at PASOK headquarters with the party's Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

The announcement comes just one day after that of cooperation between ruling PASOK and staunch neo-liberals Stefanos Manos and Andreas Andrianopoulos.

In statements after his meeting with Chrysohoidis, Androulakis said he had pushed for such cooperation between PASOK, forces of the Left and liberalism for the past 13 years.

He said that such a bloc could release the productive and creative forces of the country that he was certain this cooperation will change the entire political scene.

In response to questions, meanwhile, Androulakis said the aim was to create a huge new movement that encompassed a broad political spectrum, which might be socially and ideologically heterogeneous but was united in its program, which would become stronger as a result.

He said that a new relationship between public and private had to be forged that would orientate market powers to goals that were socially equitable and spread prosperity and new opportunities to the weaker classes.

He termed this cooperation between liberalism and socialism ''my last great temptation'' and said that Papandreou was undertaking a high-risk enterprise, though an innovative and creative risk that could shake up the political scene in a fertile way.

He said decisions on his role within PASOK and his participation in the state deputy list were still pending.

[05] Two Democratic Renaissance party candidates to run with ND

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

The two candidates will run in the Athens 1st and 2nd districts respectively, while Papathemelis himself intends to run in the Thessaloniki 1st district.

Democratic Renaissance and ND announced that they will cooperate in the upcoming elections on Tuesday.

[06] Communist party leader on PASOK expansion

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

''PASOK, which has long ago turned into a right-wing, reactionary and cosmopolitan party, has absorbed people that were either always reactionary and cosmopolitan and others that became so along the way,'' she said.

''Once again it is proved that PASOK is the party that is better able than (main opposition) New Democracy, which has the same program with PASOK, to fool and dupe the people. That is why it is supported more by foreign factors and the business world in comparison with ND,'' she added.

She also slammed so-called leftist renewalists, saying they had proved to be nothing more that people that had already moved away from worker ideology and the ideals of the working class.

[07] DHKKI leader Tsovolas blasts 'blue' and 'green' Right

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

At a press conference at his party's headquarters, Tsovolas severely criticized the ''soccer-style'' move of former ND ministers Stephanos Manos and Andreas Andrianopoulos to PASOK ''just 25 days before the elections'', referring to announcements by Manos and Andrianopoulos that they would seek election to parliament on the PASOK ticket.

Manos was expelled in 1998 by ND for not toeing the party line in a crucial parliamentary debate on the DEKO public utilities, and one year later set up his own party, the now-defunct Liberals party, which did not take part in the 2000 general elections, but Manos himself was elected to parliament as an Independent cooperating with ND.

Andrianopoulos quit ND and resigned his parliamentary seat in 1994.

Tsovolas said that the new PASOK was a "right-wing mutation with a green wrapping", adding that the soccer-style transfers had surprised even the most fanatic PASOK and ND voters, caused grief and shame, and degraded the institutions, politics and politicians.

[08] Poll shows PASOK narrowing gap with ND ahead of March 7 election

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

The poll gives ND 39.1 percent, 3.2 percentage points more than PASOK which gets 35.9, decreasing by 0.8 percent the gap appearing in the previous opinion poll presented on February 2.

As regards the other parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) receives 5.8 percent, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 2.9, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 2 and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.2, while 13.1 are listed as undecided voters.

On the question of which party is expected to win the election on March 7, ND gets 54.3 percent and PASOK 33.2.

Foreign Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou continues to lead ND leader Costas Karamanlis on the question of which of the two is ''most suitable for prime minister'' by 45.2 percent as against 43.1.

ND is considered more capable of ruling the country with 39.8 percent compared to 36 percent for PASOK.

Regarding the political tendency of undecided voters, 41.5 percent declare themselves closer to PASOK and 27.9 closer to ND, but they give a greater possibility of victory to ND with 43.1 percent and a lesser one to PASOK with 23.9.

[09] PM Simitis chairs meeting on Cyprus issue with foreign ministers

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Afterward, Papandreou said that this was an important juncture and that the government was cooperating closely with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, providing unstinting support and closely monitoring the talks in New York.

In response to questions, meanwhile, Yiannitsis said the Greek side was engaged in a process of constant contacts and talks in order to reach a point where negotiations could begin.

"We are now waiting to see how today's meeting in New York will go in order to have a more specific view of where we are and what the prospects are," he added.

Earlier in the day, Yiannitsis had meetings with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller and British Ambassador to Athens Sir David Madden. Both meetings were requested by the ambassadors.

[10] First-round Cyprus talks inconclusive but 'constructive' - To continue Wednesday

NEW YORK 12/2/2004 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)

After UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's joint meeting with Papadopoulos and Denktash and their respective delegations, which lasted one hour and forty minutes on Tuesday afternoon (US time), de Soto said that talks had been ''constructive'', but added that more time was necessary for agreement to be reached.

He also stressed that the UN chief had asked the sides involved to remain in the talks and return to the UN headquarters for a new round on Wednesday at 4:00pm (NY time, 11:00pm Greek time), and to not make any statements to the press and media.

De Soto refrained from commenting on the content and results so far of the joint talks, despite persistent questions from the press.

The joint meeting was preceded by short separate meetings by Annan with Papadopoulos and Denktash.

After the joint talks began at 4:30pm on Tuesday, there was a short 20-minute break to enable consultations among the separate delegations on technical matters before resuming again, according to diplomatic sources.

It had been decided in preliminary consultations with de Soto that each of the two delegations would be comprised of the primary interlocutor -- Papadopoulos and Denktash respectively -- and of three more officials.

The Greek Cypriot delegation comprises Papadopoulos, former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides, the head of Papadopoulos' diplomatic office Tasos Tzionis, and Cyprus' permanent representative to the UN ambassador Andreas Mavroyannis.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation comprises Denktash, the so-called 'prime minister' of the breakaway Turkish-Cypriot 'state' Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called 'foreign minister' Serdar Denktash, and advisor Ergan Olgiun.

The UN chief's team comprises de Soto, the secretary general's advisor on political affairs Kieran Predergast, and other officials.

Delegations of the three guarantor countries -- Greece, Turkey and Britain -- were also on hand in New York, at Annan's request, but were not participating in the talks but would be ''would be in the margins, ready to play a supporting role as required,'' according to the UN chief's spokesman Fred Eckhard.

Meanwhile, according to reports by Cypriot media correspondents in New York, the Turkish side presented indications of a serious difference of opinion between the Turkish government and Rauf Denktash, and that efforts were being made to convince the Turkish Cypriot leader to act on the basis of Ankara's decisions, resulting in long consultations among the Turkish side in New York.

Citing diplomatic sources, the press reports said that the rift was genuine, and that Ankara was making great efforts for progress in the talks so that, in the event of failure of the Cyprus negotiations, the blame would be placed squarely on Denktash.

Indicative of this attitude was a statement by Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan to the Turkish Cypriot media that the prospect of a Denktash walkout from the UN talks was ''out of the question''.

Erdogan, speaking to journalists on his return flight from S. Korea, stressed that Ankara had given Denktash a ''roadmap'' and was waiting to see to what degree he would adhere to it.

Asked what would happen in the event that Rauf Denktash did not adhere to Ankara's roadmap, Erdogan warned that the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' would pay the price. ''Think what will happen after May 1,'' he said, referring to the date set for Cyprus' official accession into the European Union.

The self-proclaimed 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey, and failure of agreement being reached before the deadlines set out in the Annan plan serving as a basis for the current negotiations would result in only the internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus entering the EU on May 1.

Annan's timetable aspires to a completion of the negotiations by late March, and separate referenda on April 21 in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the peace deal to be reached, to enable a reunited Cyprus to join the EU on May 1.

Erdogan said that Denktash would not divert from his positions, but called on him to display "flexibility".

In New York, Cyprus government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told reporters that the Greek Cypriot side was not engaging in a "public relations ruse" but desired a "substantive and comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue", referring to statements attributed to Serdar Denktash, and noting that Annan had asked the sides involved not to make statements to the press

Meanwhile, in the Turkish-occupied sector of Cyprus, more than 3,000 Turkish Cypriots held a rally Tuesday afternoon to demand a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, saying that the New York negotiations were the "last chance" for a united Cyprus to join the EU, and expressing hope that the UN talks would succeed.

[11] US backs Annan's efforts for Cyprus solution, urges all sides to do likewise

WASHINGTON 12/2/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

This was stated in a State Department directive issued on Wednesday in reply to reporters' questions on the talks being conducted in New York, given that there was no press briefing on Wednesday as Secretary of State Colin Powell testified at the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives.

''The talks on the Cyprus issue started yesterday and are continuing today in New York. We continue to urge all the sides to do whatever is possible to support the good offices of the UN Secretary General for the settlement of the Cyprus issue and the accession of a united Cyprus to the European Union on May 1, 2004,'' the directive said.

It added:''Secretary of State Colin Powell is active towards all the involved parties for the promotion of the settlement of the Cyprus issue. He talked today with his Turkish counterpart Mr. (Abdullah) Gul and his Greek counterpart Mr. (George) Papandreou and aims at communicating with all the others in the course of the day. Ambassadors Weston and Klosson are in New York and they will continue to support the good offices of the UN Secretary General.''

[12] Alternate FM receives US and British ambassadors

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

[13] President Stephanopoulos receives delegation of mayors

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

[14] Greek economy grew around 5.0 pct in 4th qtr, FinMin says

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Mr Christodoulakis stressed that economic growth rates would "significantly exceed 4.2 percent" in 2003 and said that a 4.7 percent growth figure announced by the Statistics Service was a forecast.

Speaking to reporters earlier, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the Greek minister had announced that growth rate reached 5.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2003 far exceeding a 3.8 percent forecast.

Mr Christodoulakis also commented on a decision by ECOFIN to ratify Greece's Stability and Growth program and noted the council's estimate of reducing public deficit and debts and increasing investments in the country.

He said that the European Commission's report on the Greek economy referred to significant progress in structural reforms.

Mr Christodoulakis noted that the Commission's recommendation for a Fourth Community Support Framework program would envisage a fundamental support of EU newcomers, from May 1, 2004, along with Bulgaria and Romania.

He said that negotiations would be tough until final agreement was reached on the distribution of structural funds.

The European Commission last night agreed to offer a total of 26.8 billion euros to Greece to finance development projects in the country in the period from 2007 to 2013.

Greek GDP rose 4.7 pct in 2003: Greece's gross domestic product (GDP) rose a real 4.7 percent in 2003, the highest rate in the last 25 years, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.

NSS said that the economy grew by 5.0 percent in the fourth quarter of the year, with total economic demand (consumption, exports and investments) rising an annual 5.2 percent in 2003, sharply up fro 1.7 percent in the previous year.

The statistics service said the increased total economic demand was attributed by 50 percent to a rise in consumption, 45 percent to investments and 5.0 percent to exports.

Final consumption rose 4.3 percent in 2003 from 3.2 percent in 2002.

Investments rose a significant 11.6 percent in 2003, sharply exceeding GDP growth rates (4.7 percent). Exports rose 1.6 percent, while imports increased by 3.7 percent in 2003, the report said.

[15] New PASOK leader briefed by central bank governor

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Thanking Garganas for briefing him on domestic and international economic developments, he said he had discussed the issue of penalty interest rates but did not go into details.

According to previous statements by Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, this issue had been closed with the bill passed by the government.

[16] PASOK leader meets Greek merchants' union presidency

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou stressed that the state had to help support small and medium-sized enterprises to allow them to develop in an age of global competition.

The president of the merchants' union Dimitris Armenakis said Papandreou's visit indicated his faith in social dialogue and stressed that merchants wanted the new government that emerged from the elections to make bold decisions that will free the ''healthy forces of the country''.

Papandreou said his talks with the merchants had given rise to a number of interesting ideas for dealing with problems affecting the sector, such as the over-complicated legal framework, illegal commerce, use of community funds, market deregulation, high prices, reduction of unemployment and ways in which local government could help foster enterprise, such as establishing a college to train young entrepreneurs.

He promised to look into these proposals in the future, particularly a proposal for doubling the capital of the Loan Guarantee Fund.

[17] Greece, Israel see great prospects in bilateral trade

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

Israel's exports to Greece increased by 39.1 percent to 218 million dollars in 2003 from 157 million dollars in 2002, while Greek exports to Israel totalled 154 million dollars from 135 million dollars over the same period respectively, for an increase of 13.8 percent.

These statistics did not include trade in services, while the increase trade transactions reflected partly bilateral cooperation in various sectors in the framework of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Trade relations between Greece and Israel are steadily improving with Israel being the main destination for Greek exports to the Middle East. Greece is the eighth largest importer of Israeli exports to the European Union. Israel exports to Greece are mainly high technology equipment, software, telecommunication equipment, chemicals, plastics, medical equipment, paper and glass, while Greece exports metals, transportation equipment, food, textiles, marble and cement.

The Israeli ambassador to Greece, Mr Ram Aviram, stressed that rising trade transactions was proof of the great prospects in improving bilateral trade. "I fully support the development of Greek-Israeli trade because I know that we are just skimming the surface of the great prospects for cooperation to the benefit of both countries".

The two countries have initiated a series of actions aimed to further develop bilateral trade, such as a meeting between the Israeli former Prime Minister Mr Simon Peres with a delegation of Greek businessmen, headed by Mr Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, president of the Greek Industries Union, and an agreement signed by Greece's Export Promotion Organization and Israel's Export Institute.

The Israeli government recently awarded 22 Greek businessmen for their role in promoting bilateral trade.

[18] Gov't cuts medicine prices by up to 53 pct

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

The new prices are down between 0.5 and 53.2 percent. Development Minister Kimon Koulouris said lower prices would result in a 0.42-percent (13 million euros annually) total benefit for annual social security spending.

[19] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise, led by banks

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.97 percent to end at 2,456.26 points. Turnover was 146.16 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.09 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.49 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with gains of 0.99 percent.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 237 to 76 with 49 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 11 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,278 1,249

[20] Court dismisses defense objections in ELA trial

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

The objections were submitted by the defense Christos Tsigaridas and Mihalis Kassimis and backed by Costas Agapiou and Irene Athanasaki.

The fifth defendant, Aggeletos Kanas, said he did not doubt the integrity of the judges.

The court found that the panel of judges had been selected in accordance with the procedure outlined in the new anti-terrorism law and was thus legal.

Tsigaridas and Agapiou also requested that there be audio recordings of the proceedings, so that their statements could not be misrepresented. Tsigaridas complained that this had happened in the coverage of Tuesday's proceedings and that he was misquoted as saying that he undertook responsibility for ELA's acts.

The presiding judge informed the defendants that the same company that had recorded and provided transcripts of the proceedings in the ''November 17'' terrorism case had agreed to do so for the ELA trial, provided all the parties involved agreed.

The court rejected a demand by Tsigaridas for televised coverage of the trial, however, particularly since Kanas and Agapiou had indicated that they were against this.

Meanwhile, it was announced on Wednesday that two more suspects, Epaminondas Skyftoulis and Yiannis Serifis, had been called to appear before Appeals Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos on Thursday in order to answer questions regarding two ELA hits.

Skyftoulis will be questioned in connection with the murder of journalist Kyriakos Diakoyiannis in 1989. Serifis, who was tried and acquitted in the earlier N17 trial, will be questioned regarding the killing of police officer Apostolos Velios during a bomb attack by ELA on a riot police bus.

[21] Police bust two Internet porn sites, including one showing child pornography

Athens, 12/2/2004 (ANA)

One of the arrests was made after a complaint lodged by a 30-year-old man who visited the site and saw a video of his 25-year-old wife engaging in hard-core sex with her lover.

This helped police discover the creator of the site, who turned out to be a 22-year-old that was expert in the use of computers.

The suspect confessed to setting up the site, using photographs and video footage taken by an exotic ''sex club'' that displayed the sexual perversions of its members. Much of the material was recorded by the men involved without the knowledge of their partners.

The site was free but earned large sums through advertising.

The operator of the child pornography site was uncovered on the basis of information passed on by Norwegian authorities, who traced his electronic 'id' to Greece.

The suspect, who was arrested and has confessed to distributing the material, was a 33-year-old that had set up a computer at his work place using a telephone line drawn from the central distributor.

Using this he ran his Internet site or linked up to phone sex lines abroad, while the cost was charged to the company.

A raid on his office uncovered the computer, video cameras and a CD-Rom, as well as CDs and videos containing 12,000 files of hard-core child pornography.

[22] UN on Cyprus peace talks: Anything is possible

UNITED NATIONS 12/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at his daily noon briefing, the spokesman appeared cautious as to the outcome of Wednesday's meeting between Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, pointing out that ''anything is possible.''

He also said that the fundamental principle at the talks is that the Secretary-General would agree to anything the two sides agree to and hinted that this includes the methodology, the timetable, the filling of any gaps in an agreement by the UN and the issue of holding referenda.

Eckhard was speaking as Annan, Papadopoulos and Denktash prepared for their second joint meeting in as many days, following Annan's invitation to the two leaders to go to New York for meetings with a view at resuming the stalled peace talks.

''This afternoon at 4.00 pm (New York time) the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will meet again with the Secretary-General to resume the discussions, which were adjourned late yesterday afternoon,''Eckhard said.

The spokesman dismissed press suggestions that the adjournment of the talks on Tuesday meant failure, saying that ''it is just a pause, so they are coming back today at 4.00 p.m. and let's see what happens.''

Asked if the talks will move to Cyprus or continue further at the UN, he replied, ''I think anything is possible, let's see how it goes this afternoon. If it goes well and the talks are then to move to the knots and bolts phase under Alvaro de Soto (Annan's special adviser on Cyprus) we'll have to see where they announce that next phase of discussions to take place.''

Invited to say whether the Secretary-General has any conditions for continuing the Cyprus talks, Eckhard said he did not think that Annan has conditions other than his plan that is on the table.

He explained that the Secretary-General has already said that ''should the two agree on changes to that plan, he is ready to make those changes. So it's really up to the sides to come up with a common platform for the referenda. That's what he is trying to facilitate.''

Annan has asked the two sides in Cyprus to agree to hold separate simultaneous referenda on an agreed settlement. The sides have indicated that a referendum can be held once there is an agreement.

''I wouldn't want to throw obstacles in the way of talks that are just getting underway. So let them talk, see if they can sort out their differences and see if Mr. de Soto can give you a readout after today's meetings,'' Eckhard added.

The spokesman refrained from direct comment on whether the Secretary-General would agree to changes relating to the methodology of the talks, the timetable or the requests that the points that are not agreed should be filled in by Annan and go to referenda.

[23] Weston discusses 'some ideas' with President Papadopoulos

UNITED NATIONS 12/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Weston said that Secretary of State Colin Powell has been having contacts with interested parties but noted that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will decide on how the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides are cooperating in his fresh effort to resume peace talks.

The Papadopoulos-Weston meeting took place as the President prepares to meet Annan and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the second day running.

Papadopoulos and Denktash are in New York following an invitation by Annan to meet at the UN seat with a view at resuming the stalled peace process and reaching a comprehensive settlement, on the basis of his proposal, by May 1 when Cyprus will join the European Union.

''I am not going to make a comment on optimism or pessimism, we are looking forward to another session this afternoon with the Secretary-General and the two leaders and we will see what happens in that session. I am not making a judgment on optimism or pessimism until that takes place,'' Weston said after his meeting with President Papadopoulos.

Asked if he is getting the cooperation he expected from the Greek Cypriot side, he said he had just had ''a very useful discussion, we talked about some ideas going forward but I think that it is all dependent on the Secretary General's estimation on the degree of cooperation which he is getting from the two sides.''

On Secretary Powell's contacts with both parties, Ambassador Weston, who was accompanied by US Ambassador in Nicosia Michael Klosson, had this to say ''we are having contacts at all kinds of levels, including those of the Secretary of State.''

Later on President Papadopoulos met Russia's permanent representative to the UN Sergei Lavrov.

[24] Chrysostomides: we sincerely wish for Cyprus progress

UNITED NATIONS 12/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The Cypriot official was invited to comment on statements by the self-styled foreign affairs minister of the puppet regime in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas Serdar Denktash, who violated a black-out imposed by UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus peace talks which resumed on Tuesday in New York.

The spokesman stressed that the Greek Cypriot side would not follow these public relations games played by the Turkish side.

Serdar Denktash was reported saying that during the joint meeting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash (Serdar's father) the two sides handed over documents with their comments on the Annan peace plan and the procedure suggested by the Secretary General. ''Now we both know the positions of the other side,'' he said.

He also expressed satisfaction over Tuesday's talks which he described substantial noting that a ''positive atmosphere'' is responsible for the resumption of discussions on Wednesday.

Asked to comment on Denktash's statements, Crysostomides said ''the Greek Cypriot side is sincerely interested in progress in the New York procedure as well as in the efforts to reach a settlement.''

''The request, the instruction if you like, of the Secretary-General, was to avoid statements until tomorrow, as regards to what was discussed. Therefore, our side will abstain from statements on this subject even if the Turkish side makes revelations, breaking its promise and playing a public relations game throughout this period,'' said the spokesman.

Underlining the Greek Cypriot side has no intention to play such games he reiterated the ''sincere ultimate goal for a successful conclusion in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.''

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