Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis discusses Olympic Games security with NATO Secretary-General

[02] Powell contacts Greek FM by phone, pledges US aid in Cyprus issue

[03] US hopes decision for Cyprus talks will not be met with political violence

[04] PASOK leader presents party program for education

[05] Main opposition ND unveils its state election ticket

[06] KKE leader visits EYDAP water board

[07] Coalition leader tours Perama, talks to shipyard workers

[08] DHKKI party submits documents needed to take part in elections

[09] LAOS leader unveils state election ticket, proposes Mitsotakis for president

[10] Cross-party Committee discusses party-leader TV debate issue

[11] Greek economy; weekly review

[12] Stocks nose down in pressure on mid-cap paper

[13] US confident Greece has 'will and resources' for secure and successful Olympics

[14] Selection of crew members pending in Olympic Games rowing event

[15] PM meets presidency of AMEA group for handicapped

[16] Statistics show decline in traffic accidents, deaths over past 3 years

[17] Home-made bomb attack on CEDEFOP employee's car

[18] PM visits National Gallery, accompanied by his wife

[19] IOTC presents new schoolbook

[20] Important negotiation will take place by March 22, president says

[21] Chrysostomides: Greek Cypriot side responds to its obligations

[22] FM Iacovou: Greek Cypriot side at talks with political will

[23] Eckhard says talks in Cyprus are settling into a routine

[24] Britain's offer on territory remains on the table

[01] PM Simitis discusses Olympic Games security with NATO Secretary-General

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

The Greek prime minister said during a working luncheon in Athens that Greece's relations with NATO were ''on a very good level,'' adding that he discussed with Scheffer issues which must be dealt with in the coming months, such as NATO presence in the Balkans and the broadening of the Alliance.

Simitis noted that Greece views that ''NATO must have a presence in the Balkans as it secures stability in the region,'' adding that the broadening of the Alliance was necessary so as to include all the Balkan countries in time.

The prime minister said that NATO-EU relations ''have been built on good foundations,'' noting that ''Greece is willing to contribute in the development of NATO's potential, however, always in the framework of existing possibilities.''

Simitis clarified that ''at this moment of time, due to the Olympic Games and the particular conditions in the region, we do not have the capability of further strengthening the existing forces''.

On the issue of terrorism, Simitis said ''we are cooperating with all the international organizations and the United Nations, with our allies, for the combatting of terrorism, and of course, we want to deal with the causes which provoke terrorist phenomena.''

On his part, Scheffer referred to the NATO summit which will be held in Istanbul late June, noting that the issue of Afghanistan and that of the Balkans will be included in the agenda of the talks.

With regard the Olympic Games, the NATO Secretary-General said that ''it is a very big venture, but I hope that after the Olympic Games, Greece will be able to participate with other countries for the further restructuring of the armed forces in order for there to be 'availability' and the potential for development.''

Asked by reporters whether the probability of NATO participation or assistance on security matters during the Olympic Games was discussed, Simitis said:''Greece is cooperating with many countries and there is also close cooperation with certain of them to deal with the possibility of terrorist acts during the Olympic Games. And this is absolutely necessary because the Olympic Games are not Games of a restricted size. They are Games which focus world attention and therefore are also exposed to acts which wish to provoke world attention and because athletes from all the countries of the world will be present in Greece. This is why this close cooperation is needed with many countries and particularly with those which have experience on these issues and are capable of dealing with situations effectively. This also means that Greece is obliged to cooperate with all those international organizations which can contribute towards this purpose. And this is what we will do, are doing and will do. Because the security of the Olympic Games is a top priority both for the Games and the image of Greece, and given this, we have no restrictions. But also because within the international framework, within which the Olympic Games are being held, we will make our options in such a way so that the Games are safe and for no political problems from anyone to be created.''

[02] Powell contacts Greek FM by phone, pledges US aid in Cyprus issue

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Diplomatic sources said that Powell expressed the American side's readiness and willingness to continue the good and close cooperation with the new foreign minister, as it had done with his predecessor George Papandreou.

The US Secretary of State also assured his Greek counterpart that the U.S. will continue to make every effort in cooperation with Greece to assist in a solution of the political problem on Cyprus.

[03] US hopes decision for Cyprus talks will not be met with political violence

Washington, 21/02/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

''There was a bomb attack in the middle of the night last (Wednesday) night on the residence of Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat. We condemn this bombing. We strongly hope that the bold decision to return to talks that has been taken by the leaders on both sides of the island is not met with political violence,'' US state department spokesman Richard Boucher told a regular press briefing Thursday, referring to the resumption of UN-brokered Cyprus talks between Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

''There were no deaths reported in the incident. We do believe firmly that the perpetrators of this violent act need to be brought to justice and brought swiftly to justice,'' Boucher said, adding that ''Mr. Talat, himself, shortly after the attack, made clear that acts of political violence will not deter the Cypriot leaders from the course they have chosen.''

Asked if there was any update on the Cyprus talks, that commenced Thursday in Nicosia, Boucher said that the UN secretary general's special advisor on the Cyprus issue, Alvaro de Soto, who is leading the talks, had called Thursday's session ''a good, constructive start''.

''We would simply add that we applaud the parties for the political will they have demonstrated in returning to the talks and we encourage them to continue their work in a positive vein,'' Boucher added.

He further noted that the US ambassador in Cyprus, Michael Klosson, ''is following the situation closely and working to support the United Nations in this effort''.

[04] PASOK leader presents party program for education

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Presenting his party's program for education, he noted that the goals was to limit the anxiety of candidates, the number of exams and the financial burden for parents.

One proposal made by Papandreou was that candidates will be enrolled in schools rather than university departments and be free to transfer.

Regarding secondary education, he said schools will be decentralized and be able to organize their own program of studies and choose their own books, without the cost burdening the parents.

Repeating his earlier position in favor of establishing non-state, non-profit universities within the framework of the Constitution, Papandreou also stressed plans to abolish DIKATSA.

He referred to the option that will be given to all higher educational institutes to create new departments and determine areas where postgraduate programs will operate.

Papandreou said he intended to merge the education and labor ministries in certain areas, particularly those of employment and vocational training, while stressing that the primary concern was investing in human resources.

He also promised to extend the institution of all-day schools to high schools and later to schools for children with special needs.

Finally, Papandreou announced plans to create a television channel for the education sector.

PASOK leader included in Larissa and first Thessaloniki election tickets: PASOK party leader George Papandreou will be included in the party's election tickets in Larissa and the first constituency of Thessaloniki.

Explaining his decision, Papandreou said Larissa signals for him ''the strength the farming world has to become a force of development in the new economy which is coming.''

He further said ''Thessaloniki signals for me the force of decentralization, the force of development and of peace for the wider Balkan region. Both are main priorities for us in our next government.''

Papandreou says in interview open to post-election cooperation with Left:PASOK party leader George Papandreou said in an interview with the Planet radio station on Friday that he is open to possible post-election cooperation with the Left, and the Coalition of the Left in particular, on condition that sectors in which there can be cooperation must be discussed.

''I was always open to cooperation. I am also open to post-election cooperation and not pre-election cooperation alone. If all this is to happen, of course, there should be policy agreements. We must discuss in which sectors we can cooperate,'' he said.

Papandreou also said ''I believe that in certain issues, such as education and foreign policy, there are sectors in which we can shape a national policy or, in any case, individual sectors in which we can cooperate more closely with certain parties. I have never ruled out such a possibility in my political career.''

The PASOK leader further said ''the contribution of everyone will be evaluated. Experience will be evaluated and the possibility of bringing the new and new blood will be evaluated. Cadres can be utilized in many scales and in many levels of the government and cadres will be utilized but not with a partisan criterion but with the criterion of their contribution, their knowledge, their experience and the possibility of their implementing a considerable task.''

Commenting on Papandreou's statement, Coalition of the Left spokesman Stergios Pitsiorlas said ''at a time when, as it suits his policy absolutely, he is cooperating with the neo-liberals (Stefanos) Manos and (Andreas) Andrianopoulos and at a time when he even excludes the Left from the election debate, Mr. Papandreou talks idly on the radio about post-election cooperation with the Left. Can it be that he underestimates the intelligence of the Greek people so much?''.

Referring to the same issue, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said ''we are seeking the vote of the Greek people with modesty and humility to enable us to become tomorrow's government. For a new governance.''

[05] Main opposition ND unveils its state election ticket

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Third in its state deputy list is Eleni Bernidaki, a teacher in a private college who has excelled in academic studies abroad and has been blind since three years of age.

The fourth place has been given to party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, the fifth to Yiannis Valinakis and the sixth to Chrysa Karydi, who works in publishing and is a daughter of the poet Nikos Karydis.

In the seventh place is Special Olympics president Ioanna Despotopoulou, eighth is university professor Constantine Arvanitopoulos, who is also general director of the Constantine Karamanlis Institute, ninth goes to Ioanna Goula-Vagena, the mother of a large family, the 10th to lawyer Alexandros Lykourezos, the 11th to former Movement of Free Citizens' (KEP) party spokeswoman Eliza Vozeberg and 12th place to the president of the ND youth section ONNED, Christos Kourousis.

ND leader addresses party conference, outlines party policy:Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis addressed a party policy conference in the Athens district of Peristeri on Friday, outlining the policy he will follow and promising to implement positions already announced by the party in all sectors.

''There is absolutely no doubt any more that the system of PASOK is collapsing and is attempting now to cheat and deceive and to convince that it had not been the one which had ruled for 20 years. It is trying to disorientate public opinion, disinform citizens and create confusion in society,'' he said.

Karamanlis spoke of a new governance, saying this means ''our tangible reply to the problems and expectations of society.''

Referring to the ruling PASOK party, he further said ''today, we are neither seeing a program nor policies in PASOK. We are hearing vague proposals which lack essence and whose only aim is sensationalism, an apology in general and have no explanation about the mistake and with a stressful invocation of phobic dilemmas and modern populism.''

Karamanlis said the new era does not constitute a cycle of extortionate dilemmas and neither does it seek myths nor does it want a society of winners and losers and one of two speeds. The new era demands realistic policies for real problems and it is an era of positive options and an era of new governance by New Democracy.

''On March 7 the party of citizens and the alliance of citizens will drop party flags and hoist the flag of social responsibility, consensus and of great social targets. On March 7 the alliance of citizens will decide on its own truths and its own dreams and its own vision. On March 8 we will undertake the honor and responsibility to form a government of all Greeks and reciprocate confidence to all Greeks,'' he said.

In another development, Karamanlis gave an interview to the MEGA private television channel on Friday, saying he is determined to crack down on phenomena of arrogance and vested interests, underlining that there is no place for corruption in his party and in his government.

Karamanlis did not rule out the possibility of former ND foreign minister Antonis Samaras taking up a post in his government and also promised that his cabinet will only have a few members.

The ND leader said he will not deal with the past and added that the order for PASOK party founder Andreas Papandreou to stand trial in 1989 was a mistake.

He said it was probably a move that could appear legally substantiated in principle, but historically and politically it was not vindicated.

Karamanlis also let it be understood that he will not seek early elections in the event of failure in elections for a new president of the republic next year.

[06] KKE leader visits EYDAP water board

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

She said that proof was daily growing that the two main parties, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, were preparing new scourges for workers, for the low to middle-income classes in cities and the countryside.

She said both parties had essentially promised the same tax breaks to big capital, and to preserve and further extend the privileges accorded to businesses.

[07] Coalition leader tours Perama, talks to shipyard workers

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

According to Constantopoulos, the policies followed in the shipyard zone in Perama had turned the right to life and employment into a part-time benefit.

"Here, the marks of these policies are clear, with unemployment doubled since 2000 to 40 per cent," he said.

He slammed pledges by PASOK leader George Papandreou to reduce unemployment to 6 per cent and labor accidents by 20 per cent, accusing him of treating the safety and lives of the workforce as if they were pre-election percentages.

He also stressed that clear policies were needed to turn the situation around in Perama and that both PASOK and main opposition New Democracy were avoiding any clear-cut commitment.

Constantopoulos meets union confederation directorate: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party leader and head of the Radical Left Coalition Nikos Constantopoulos met with leaders of the union confederation GSEBEE on Friday to discuss problems faced by small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

Constantopoulos stressed that ''small and medium-size handicraft companies, traders, and professionals should be one of the first to receive constant support since they are agencies of economic growth, while they strengthen social cohesion and create job opportunities.''

The problems plaguing these professional classes, according to Constantopoulos, are bureaucracy, a fluid tax system, an aggressive banking system, a lack of healthy competition, a lack of funding, and poor management of EU subsidies.

He blamed government policies of the past 15 years for not only leaving these problems unresolved but for making them worse.

Asked to comment on the critical remarks Aleka Papariga, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece, hurled at the SYN party on Thursday, Constantopoulos said, ''I am living in 2004 and I am interested in the Left of today. None of us is thinking of arguing. We are faced with bipartisanship, neo-liberalism and a future full of challenges and problems.''

[08] DHKKI party submits documents needed to take part in elections

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

It also submitted completed election tickets for all constituencies throughout the country.

[09] LAOS leader unveils state election ticket, proposes Mitsotakis for president

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

He stressed that Mitsotakis, an honorary president of main opposition New Democracy, had vast political experience and said that ND was morally obliged to agree to his proposal.

He also asked all the parties to clarify their position on the issue of who they would propose for president before the elections on March 7.

Karatzaferis also referred to developments regarding the Cyprus issue, which he saw as damaging to Greek interests and said that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was acting as "the United States' man".

He dismissed both PASOK leader George Papandreou and his rival ND leader Constantine Karamanlis as "practically identical products of nepotism, without independent professional achievement".

Karatzaferis predicted that his party would come third in the elections, with a percentage above 6 per cent.

Head of the LAOS state election ticket is Vassilios Spatharis, who studied space engineering in the U.S. and is president of Technon Corporation, followed by Barbis Konstantinos, head of the State Scholarships Foundation.

[10] Cross-party Committee discusses party-leader TV debate issue

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

The committee, chaired by caretaker Interior Minister Nikos Alivizatos, failed to reach agreement on the TV debate issue, however.

According to the minister, this was a purely political rather than legal issue and fully dependent on the will of the two main parties.

He said the cross-party committee had agreed that, once an agreement was reached by ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, it would do its utmost to implement this.

The minister also dismissed reports of ''tampering'' in the electorate as nonsense.

Speaking for ND, Evangelos Meimarakis said his party insisted on its proposal for dialogue involving the leaders of all the parties in Parliament and the European Parliament.

The Committee also agreed with ND's request that only police identity cards or passports should be accepted as valid voter ID on the day of the elections, rather than other state documents such as driver's licenses or IKA books.

ND also asked to see special electoral rolls, such as those for the security forces and for seamen.

Meimarakis also noted that in the 2000 elections, an agreement for on-line access to the overall results had not been kept and said his party demanded a constant flow of overall results.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative Antonis Skyllakos protested that the two main parties were monopolizing airtime on radio and television and said his party did not want to raise an issue of tampering in the electoral body.

[11] Greek economy; weekly review

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Greece ranks 15th in an expanded EU-25 (with Cyprus in the 14th position) based on the country's per capita Gross Domestic Product (in purchasing power units), according to Eurostat figures for 2002. Luxembourg ranks first in the EU with a per capita GDP exceeding 200 percent, while Romania and Bulgaria (not included in the first phase of EU expansion this year) are expected to come nearer the 75 percent of the EU average in 2050. Based on 2001 figures, Greece's per capita GDP (in purchasing power units) reached 73.7 percent of the EU-15 average.

Greece's trade deficit rose 28.7 percent in the first 10 months of 2003 to 20.613 billion euros from 16.014 billion euros in the same period in 2002, the National Statistics Service said this week. NSS said that imports totalled 30.427 billion euros in the January-October period, up 20.9 percent from the previous year, while exports totalled 9.814 billion euros, up 7.1 percent over the same period.

Greek households significantly raised the debt levels in 2003, the Bank of Greece said in a report. Households' housing and consumer loans totalled 40.19 billion euros last year, or 26.4 percent of the country's GDP, up from 22 percent in the previous year, while Greek citizens' savings deposits rose 1.9 percent to 130.09 billion euros.

Greece's fiscal position worsened last year as the general government's net borrowing needs rose, the Bank of Greece said this week. The general government's deficit rose by 48.34 percent in 2003 to 10.5 billion euros, or 6.9 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The figures show a significant divergence from the budget's reviewed estimates for a deficit of 6.2 billion euros, or 4.1 percent of GDP.

Development Deputy Minister Kimon Koulouris sparked controversy in the domestic insurance market with comments that seven companies in the sector were presenting serious solvency problems. The Greek minister, however, failed to name the companies provoking a strong reaction by the board of Union of Insurance Companies.

Building activity rose 2.9 percent (in building permits) and 10.1 percent in volume in the first nine months of 2003, the National Statistics Service said in a report. NSS said that building activity in the public sector accounted 6.3 percent of total volume.

Rate Capital, a Greek securities' firm, declared bankruptcy this week leading the Capital Markets' Commission to announce the immediate suspension of its operations on February 17.

The Greek Telecommunications and Information market rose 1.4 percent in 2002, a survey by the Institute of Economic and Industrial Research said.

[12] Stocks nose down in pressure on mid-cap paper

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.15 per cent to end at 2,465.39 points. Turnover was 106.3 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.11 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.81 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with gains of 0.55 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 143 to 141 with 72 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 20 2004

Parities in euro

Banknotes

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,276 1,247

[13] US confident Greece has 'will and resources' for secure and successful Olympics

Washington 21/02/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Asked to comment on negative statements by Senator Jon Kyl (Rep-Arizona) in a lecture, suggesting that Americans should stay home from the summer Olympics in Athens, Boucher said: "We've said before and say again today, that we have every confidence that Greece has the will and the resources to hold a secure and successful Olympics this year."

"Greece continues to work with several countries, including the United States, to ensure the full safety of the Olympic Games," Boucher said, adding that the US has "offered expertise and resources of several of our agencies to Greece in order to ensure Olympic security and we are providing both equipment and training toward that end."

[14] Selection of crew members pending in Olympic Games rowing event

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Vassilis Kafetzakis who is a candidate crew member was injured, while M. Hatzioannidis left the camp a few days after it opened for personal reasons.

''Unfortunately, although conditions were very good to enable us to make the assessments we wanted to make, it was not possible due to the above two problems,'' Vlachos said.

The Rowing Federation has requested use of the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre for the first time between March 20-31 for trial runs as well as to give athletes the chance to familiarize themselves with the environment.

[15] PM meets presidency of AMEA group for handicapped

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

In statements afterward, the premier stressed the efforts made by the government since 1996 to help handicapped people be fully integrated in society with the same rights and obligations as everyone else, instead of treating them as charity cases as in the past.

On his part, Vardakastanis said that Simitis's presence in the government had helped create a new culture in Greece regarding people with special needs.

[16] Statistics show decline in traffic accidents, deaths over past 3 years

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

There were a total of 15,746 road accidents from January until December 2003, in which 1,615 people were killed and about 20,444 people were injured.

Road accidents in January-December 2002 came to a total of 16,852, with 1,654 killed and 22,332 injured, while in 2003 there were a total of 19,710 accidents overall, in which 1,895 people were killed and 25,881 people were injured.

In December 2003, there were 1171 road accidents in which 119 people lost their lives, while in the same month in 2002 there had been 1194 road accidents and 132 killed.

[17] Home-made bomb attack on CEDEFOP employee's car

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

According to Fire Brigade officials, the make-shift bomb, comprising small propane canisters, exploded at dawn, causing only minor damage to the car, which was parked at the time on coastal Megalou Alexandrou boulevard in central Thessaloniki.

Earlier uncorroborated reports had said that the car belonged to an employee of the British consulate in Thessaloniki, but the local police and Fire Department later clarified that the car belonged to a CEDEFOP employee.

[18] PM visits National Gallery, accompanied by his wife

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

They were shown around the exhibition by National Gallery curator Marina Lambraki-Plaka.

In statements afterward, Simitis said that the National Gallery was a "creative museum" that took initiatives and helped transmit knowledge, rather than just working to preserve its artifacts.

He expressed hope that the National Gallery will become a model for other museums in Greece and thanked Lambraki-Plaka for the work being done at the National Gallery.

[19] IOTC presents new schoolbook

Athens, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

Rachel Howard (author), Calliope Oikonomakou (illustrator) and Dora Palli (concept and publication supervision) will also be present to discuss how the book should be taught in school. Greek Olympic Games medallists and artists will also be attending.

[20] Important negotiation will take place by March 22, president says

Important negotiations will take place before Greece and Turkey come into the negotiating process, if there is a need to finalize a UN peace proposal, President Tassos Papadopoulos said here on Friday.

Speaking to the press after the second meeting in the context of the UN-led talks which began on Thursday, the Cypriot president confirmed that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash left the meeting before he did because he (Papadopoulos) had some issues to discuss with the UN Secretary-General's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the talks.

Asked if Friday's discussions were better than on Thursday, Papadopoulos replied ''there are no better or worse days. The best day will be March 31.''

According to a joint agreement, reached last week between Papadopoulos and Denktash, the two leaders will negotiate in earnest to agree on changes on the UN proposed plan and to complete the plan in all respects by March 22.

Failing that Greece and Turkey (two of the guarantor powers - the third being Britain) will lend their collaboration to finalize the text of the plan by March 29. Should this attempt fail, Kofi Annan will use his discretion to finalize the plan.

Asked to comment on suggestions that give-and-take will actually occur once Greece and Turkey get involved, because Denktash puts forward extreme positions, Papadopoulos said ''quite the contrary, the important negotiations will happen by that date.''

The Cypriot president refrained from commenting on public remarks by Denktash that on Thursday they discussed the site where the building of the central government will be located, pointing out that such talk is part of the issues on the agenda of the talks.

Invited to comment on public remarks by Denktash after Thursday's meeting, he said ''I did not pay attention to Mr Denktashs public statements. I paid attention to what he said inside the negotiating room which is outside the plan and the parameters of the plan.''

Asked to comment on Denktash's statement that no Greek Cypriot should be allowed to return before six years elapse after a solution, the president said he does not discuss in public what is said in confidence during the negotiations.

On Denktash's stated position that he will inform on a daily basis the Turkish Cypriots about what is going on, Papadopoulos said ''I believe the people should be informed.''

Asked if he would stick to a call by de Soto to refrain from any comment with regard to the discussions at the negotiating table, Papadopoulos said ''there is no such call. I do what I consider right. The issues we want to negotiate are well known, our views and the arguments we put forward are for the negotiating room.'' The Cypriot president refrained from commenting on remarks by Denktash that at Friday's meeting no issue of substance was discussed.

[21] Chrysostomides: Greek Cypriot side responds to its obligations

Nicosia, 21/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on public remarks by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that Thursday's talks focused on the site where the building of the central government will be located, the spokesman said that the discussion of such issues should by no means be interpreted as giving messages of progress, pessimism or optimism as regards to the result of the negotiations.

He stressed that ''our side responds, during the negotiations, to the obligations undertaken according to the UN Secretary-General's letter dated February 4, 2004.''

Following the letter, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides held four days of talks in New York and agreed to resume negotiations with a view at reaching a political settlement to allow a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union in May this year.

''The issues of the building facilities, the flag or the anthem might seem technical and procedural, but their political implications should not be underestimated. Above all the study of these issues should by no means be interpreted as sending messages of either progress or deadlock, optimism or pessimism for the outcome of the negotiations,'' the spokesman added.

Noting that those issues are included in the agenda of the talks set by the UN Secretary-General, the spokesman said ''they must be taken into consideration by the interlocutors and that is what we are doing, we respond to our obligations even if we don't consider that these are matters of priority, even if we believe that there are many other more important matters.''

''There are certainly very important issues that must be overcome,'' the spokesman concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory. Negotiations for a settlement resumed on Thursday between Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the presence of the UN Secretary General's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

[22] FM Iacovou: Greek Cypriot side at talks with political will

Nicosia, 21/02/2004 (ANA-CNA)

In an address to a meeting of the Centre of European Policy Studies CEPS International Advisory Council, he said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his plan for a Cyprus settlement paid special attention to its political conception and legal presentation but not to issues concerning the functionality and the economics of the plan.

As regards to the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side at the negotiations, he explained that through its demand for ''enhanced bizonality'' it is trying to do away with the right of Greek Cypriot refugees to return to their homes under Turkish Cypriot administration, in the new state of affairs that would emerge from the talks.

He noted that this as well as other positions of the Turkish Cypriot side are outside the framework of the UN Secretary-General's plan.

Referring to the rights of minorities, the foreign minister said the Turkish Cypriots, even though they represent only 18 per cent of the island's population they were never regarded a minority but a community, ''a politically equal community.''

As regards to the international challenges of an enlarged Europe, he said the EU must improve and develop its structures, creating a credible foreign policy.

Invited to address the meeting were also foreign ministers of Latvia Sandra Kalniete, Hungary Laslo Kovacs and European Affairs Minister of Poland Danuta Hubner. Irish European Affairs Minister Dick Roche was also present on behalf of the EU Presidency.

[23] Eckhard says talks in Cyprus are settling into a routine

New York, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

In a statement on the resumption of negotiations to reach a Cyprus solution, he said that ''as scheduled Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos met in the presence of the Secretary-General's Special Advisor Alvaro de Soto."

He noted that one of the technical committees also met separately. ''The next session for the two leaders is set for Tuesday morning as Monday is a local holiday. We'll keep you updated periodically on these talks," Eckhard added.

[24] Britain's offer on territory remains on the table

Nicosia, 21/02/2004 (ANA)

''We remain committed to seeking a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the Annan Plan. Our offer to give up territory remains on the table as part of a wider settlement,'' he said.

Barnes added that ''the actual details will be negotiated as part of the settlement.''

Britain's offer is to hand over 45 square miles, half of the total territory of its military Bases in Cyprus to the two communities.

Asked to comment on information that people were being moved from Dhekelia Base to St Nicholas Base in order to evacuate some areas, Barnes said he is not aware of any person that is going to be moved as part of the details of the negotiations.

''I will imagine that will be part of the negotiations but I cannot confirm because I do not know what the outcome will be,'' he noted.

Britain has retained two military bases (Dhekelia and Akrotiri) in Cyprus since 1960 when the island obtained its independence from British colonial rule.

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