Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader addresses rally in Thessaloniki, pledges new measures by new gov't

[02] ND leader Karamanlis addresses election rally in Kalamata

[03] SYN leader to ANA: PASOK-ND policies 'variations' of the same neoliberal theme

[04] Leaders of five political parties to hold TV debate at 9 p.m. on Thursday

[05] Results of March 7 elections to be transmitted through highly advanced methods

[06] PASOK calls on ND to take stand on 'Technopolis' mismanagement issue

[07] ND leader pledges service to finance women in business

[08] PM and defense minister discuss Olympics security, sources say

[09] PASOK secretary pays 'lightning' visit to Iraklion, Crete

[10] FM accuses Turkish Cypriot side of backtracking and undermining procedures

[11] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004

[12] Public Power Corp. shows earnings rise in 2003

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks down in blue chip selling

[14] Cyprus Olympic Committee president interviewed by

[15] Europarliament Culture Committee calls for support for Olympic Truce

[16] Kartalis to brief National Olympic Committees

[17] The Truce Story - Presentation of schoolbook to NOCs

[18] Armed man takes bus driver hostage, releases him

[19] ELA court refuses to give copies of its rulings, reasoning during proceedings

[20] Archbishop sees Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'

[21] Greece sends humanitarian aid to quake-stricken Morocco

[22] Papadopoulos-Denktash meeting put off

[23] Cyprus President meets top UN envoy

[24] Defense minister says Greek Cypriot side creating good climate

[01] PASOK leader addresses rally in Thessaloniki, pledges new measures by new gov't

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The rally was also attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who addressed the crowds at the end of Papandreou's address.

Papandreou said he and the members of the party are proud of what PASOK has provided for Greece, adding that he and the party's members will not negotiate the achievements of the country all these years with anyone and for anything.

The PASOK leader referred to work achieved by PASOK governments with his father and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou and Simitis, saying the new Right and its leader are trying to annul this work.

''We are safeguarding the Greek people with what they have achieved. They have no right towards history and the country to annul the work of the Greek people,'' he added.

Papandreou said PASOK is the party of contribution and participation, stressing that 30 years after its founding ''we give momentum to the slogan PASOK in government-the people in power.''

He spoke of ''the people's national unity, against which the conservative party is presenting nihilism, denial and talk of disaster'' and wondered what the Right has offered all these years.

Referring to the charter presented by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, he said 21 out of the 25 measures included in the charter have either been applied or are being applied by PASOK governments.

''It appears that so many years in the opposition were not enough for them to learn something and for this reason they are adopting our measures after eight years. And for this reason they must remain in the opposition for more years,'' he added.

Papandreou said the people will trust PASOK for economic stability because it has proved that it can safeguard it. He added that they will also trust it to manage the 2004 Olympic Games since it has brought the issue to the point it is today, as well as for the handling of the issue of Cyprus as it has achieved Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

Simitis said in his own address that PASOK's victory in the elections will provide a wide, strong and effective PASOK.

''If we want Greece to go higher and further ahead we must vote for PASOK of renewal with George Papandreou as leader,'' Simitis said, and went on to say that a better future for the country depends on PASOK's victory in the March 7 elections.

[02] ND leader Karamanlis addresses election rally in Kalamata

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

''On March 7, Greece will turn a page, and on March 8 the Greek people will have given the order for a new government, a government that will be modest and humble,'' Karamanlis said.

He went on to say that, ''We will all create a new chapter in the country's political life and we will offer each citizen new prospects,'' referring to farmers, lower and middle-income individuals, the unemployed and the young.

He referred to ND's educational and cultural policies, with special emphasis being placed on education since ''it is a determining factor for the country's future course''. As for his party's economic policy, Karamanlis promised to accelerate economic growth, reform the tax system, reducing households' tax burden in this way and subsidizing firms and supporting small and medium-sized companies.

Karamanlis also differentiated his party from PASOK on the issue of agricultural policy, saying: ''I promise to be present in person during negotiations regarding agricultural products,'' and accusing PASOK of ''having disappeared'' during the country's recent wave of bad weather.

Finally, he referred to his party's plans for the prefecture of Messinia specifically, announcing a series of projects and programs aimed at boosting economic growth in the area.

[03] SYN leader to ANA: PASOK-ND policies 'variations' of the same neoliberal theme

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

This is the second of a series of articles that the ANA has asked the political party leaders to write before the polls. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga presented her positions in an article appearing on Tuesday.

Constantopoulos stressed the need for a stronger opposition to neoliberalism in the new parliament to emerge from the elections, adding that SYN was capable of exercising such opposition.

He said a vote for the Radical Left Coalition would be the most useful vote in the elections, given the political scene as it stood today.

''The first thing we want to do is clarify what precisely is the quandary in these elections, what each and every citizen must think about in the polling booth, what he/she will determine with his/her vote,'' Constantopoulos said, noting that, according to PASOK leader George Papandreou, the quandary was ''progress or conservatism'' and he was seeking the Greek people's vote because PASOK, ''which tomorrow will be called the Democratic Party, because it is -- in his (Papandreou's) view -- the only party that represents progress'', whereas according to ND leader Costas Karamanlis the quandary was ''change or continuation'' and he was asking the Greek people to condemn the PASOK policy and bring ND to power in order to, in his (Karamanlis') view, change that policy.

''But is that the way things really are?,'' Constantopoulos questioned.

''We reply that neither will ND bring change, nor will Mr. Papandreou's 'Democratic Party' bring progress. Both represent neoliberalism in Greece today. And both will continue in the direction of the preceding governments of Mr. Mitsotakis (ND) and Mr. Simitis (PASOK). And both have more difficult days in store for the majority of the citizens, the working people,'' Constantopoulos warned.

The SYN leader said that the election platforms presented by PASOK and New Democracy contained ''variations on the same basic guidelines'': continuation of the privatizations and the sell-out of collective vested rights, reduction of taxes only for business enterprises, continuation of the taxation injustice, confrontation of unemployment through the subsidization of businesses or through uninsured labor, restriction of the workers' rights, reduction of public expenditure, limitation of the social state, non-state universities, reopening of the social insurance reforms issue given the EU Directive which is accepted by both the major parties, no reference to incomes policy, and insistent refusal to refer to a just redistribution of the burdens and revenues.

''These guidelines comprise the classic neoliberal 'recipe' being implemented today throughout Europe. And it is the continuation of the Mitsotakis and Simitis governments. The electoral platforms of both PASOK and New Democracy make it clear that the citizens, the working people, cannot expect any improvement of their position, regardless of the winner of the elections, but, on the contrary, can be sure of a deterioration of their situation and further aggravation of their problems'' Constantopoulos warned.

Referring specifically to PASOK, Constantopoulos noted that Simitis, as prime minister, had applied the ''neoliberalism recipe'' but had consistently attempted to justify it by citing the obligatory one-way street of EMU, the difficulty of the conditions, as he said the premier always called the adverse correlations. ''In other words, he tried to say that there was no other option''.

Papandreou, on the other hand, ''took the decisive step and, in a sense, crossed the ideological Rubicon and is openly adopting aggressive neoliberalism and attempting to pass it off as progress, as new ideas'', Constantopoulos said.

He said that Papandreou had further intimated at a change of the party's title ''with the apparent goal of ridding it of PASOK's socialist definition'', and had recruited former ND ministers Stephanos Manos and Andreas Andrianopoulos, ''the most genuine and consistent representatives of neoliberalism in Greece'', in order to ''more clearly symbolize his direction''.

In addition, Papandreou had also made such proposals as uninsured work for the young people, non-state universities, and merger of the Education and Labor ministries, ''which leave no room for doubt as to his orientation'', Constantopoulos continued.

Thus, the real and critical question was ''what other choice do the voters have'' opposite the two mainstream parties that represented the same neoliberal policies, ideology and practice, he stressed.

Only the Radical Left Coalition could exercise a strong opposition in parliament, and organize resistance to the anti-popular policies in the arenas of daily life, and defend and fight to expand the rights of the working people and all the citizens, Constantopoulos said.

He said the basis of the Radical Left Coalition's platform was ''antithesis to neoliberalism''.

''We remain firmly dedicated to the vision of socialism and consider that that is the future for the humane societies. We remain dedicated to the idea that the people must be (placed) above profits and that the public interest is above private interest,'' Constantopoulos explained.

''We remain dedicated to defending the social state...to the ideas of public health, public education as an important part of the state's social responsibility...to the rights of all people to steady work, dignified salaries and social insurance, dignified living conditions, a future with a human face. That which the Coalition of the Radical Left defends comprises progress, not that claimed by Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Karamanlis,'' the SYN leader concluded.

[04] Leaders of five political parties to hold TV debate at 9 p.m. on Thursday

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

According to the agreement, the debate will be divided into five sections - social policy, foreign policy, the economy and public administration and education and political questions of a general nature - and will last over 140 minutes and will be directed by a coordinator, while the questions will be made by five journalists.

The debate will be hosted in a studio of the NET television channel and will be screened by all channels and the journalists will have the possibility of reintroducing a question for greater clarification, while the party leaders will have 1.5 minutes to reply to each question and two minutes at the end of the debate for a closing statement.

Nikos Athanassakis presented the technical details on behalf of the PASOK party and said PASOK's proposal is for journalist Nikos Hatzinikolaou to be the coordinator and the questions to be put by the journalists Elli Stai, Olga Tremi, Pavlos Tsimas, Nikos Evangelatos and Stavros Theodorakis.

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the proposal by ND leader Costas Karamanlis for an additional televised debate between the ND leader and PASOK leader George Papandreou is still valid.

PASOK proposes televised debate with all party leaders: In a surprise announcement from PASOK's press office late on Tuesday night, PASOK leader George Papandreou asked for a televised debate with all the leaders of the political parties, at the earliest possible date.

The announcement said that Papandreou was led to this decision by the repeated demands of the opposition parties, including main opposition New Democracy, for a debate involving all the political party leaders.

''The PASOK president's position in favor of dialogue is unchanging and indisputable,'' the announcement stressed, noting attacks against PASOK and its president for allegedly anti-democratic behavior that could not remain unanswered.

In a later statement on Wednesday, meanwhile, PASOK spokeswoman Anna Diamantopoulou said Papandreou's decision ''to participate in a single televised debate with all the political leaders'' had been triggered by an ''escalating attack from the opposition that bordered on hysteria''.

Papandreou had originally agreed to a televised debate restricted to the leaders of the two main parties, a meeting that had been arranged for Thursday after lengthy negotiations between PASOK and ND representatives regarding its format and rules.

Reacting to the proposal late on Tuesday, ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the main opposition party was in favor of a debate that included all the political parties, but in addition to the one-on-one debate between Papandreou and Karamanlis.

''In other words, apart from the televised dialogue with the president of ND on Thursday, there should be a televised discussion with all the political leaders of parties represented in Parliament and the Euro-Parliament,'' Roussopoulos said.

Asked why PASOK could not agree to holding two debates, one with ND and another with all the political parties, Diamantopoulou said it was important that the principles involved should be clarified.

''If we agree on equality and equal treatment for all the political parties and on a need for all the political leaders to take part in the debate on a equal basis, we should accept this principle and organize the dialogue as well as possible,'' she said.

She said that PASOK proposed that the televised debate take place should on Thursday but was prepared to take part in the debate on any other day if this was not possible.

Responding to the developments, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Radical Left declared their readiness to take part in the debate.

KKE demanded that a date for the discussion be named on Wednesday, suggesting either Friday or Sunday.

KKE leader calls for quick action to arrange all-party debate: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga on Wednesday called for prompt action regarding arrangements for a debate by all political party leaders, reiterating her party's proposals that it be held before next week.

''I don't think we can sit waiting by the phone for an answer, especially since nothing was sent in writing to our offices. We found out [about the proposal for an all-party debate] from the news. Unless, the entire plan is that nothing whatsoever will happen,'' she said.

Asked whether PASOK's proposal was a ruse to avoid a debate altogether, Papariga said that this would become apparent in due course.

''We have asked for Friday, Saturday or Sunday to be set as the days...Next week is the week when the central pre-election party rallies will take place and I imagine that no day will be easy for anyone. We have to respect the central pre-election rallies. In our opinion, a date should be set within the hour,'' she stressed.

Asked if KKE was in favor of open dialogue, without specific subjects or restrictions, Papariga said she would agree to subject restrictions if there could be more than one debate, but favored open dialogue given the circumstances.

''In general, I don't think it should be an 'orchestrated' debate, where each one of us recites a small poem that we have first rehearsed in front of a mirror. I believe we are all capable of giving spontaneous answers to the questions, even if we do not know what these are, since we all have positions that we have prepared some time ago,'' she said.

She also stressed that the answers would be judged on the basis of their content, not on the good looks or the image of those that delivered them.

''In my belief, we all have the basic education needed to speak in accordance with our ability. We will be judged on the basis of what we say, and this is the main thing in my opinion, not the image,'' she added.

Coalition leader visits Hania, welcomes all-party debate: Visiting the city of Hania on Crete, Coalition of the Radical Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Wednesday welcomed ruling PASOK's shift in favor of televised debate with all the leaders of the political parties in Parliament and the European Parliament.

He said PASOK leader George Papandreou had backed down in the face of the general discontent felt by the vast majority of society, including that of PASOK voters.

He also attacked both the main parties, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy and the two-party system that wanted to crush the smaller parties.

Constantopoulos said he was certain that the Coalition would be elected to Parliament as the ''strong voice of the Left''.

[05] Results of March 7 elections to be transmitted through highly advanced methods

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The ways, details and the new potential for the most speedy and reliable information to the citizens was presented in a joint press conference in Athens on Wednesday by representatives of four companies, namely Delta Singular, HP, Microsoft and Cisco Systems, who provide the technological infrastructure for the entire venture.

They jointly created one of the most modern informatics systems in Europe, with equipment amounting to one million dollars by each company, which will enable citizens to have immediate electronic access to the results.

The transmission of the results through the Internet, written messages, smart Phones and portable computers are among the means on offer for the first time to Greek citizens.

[06] PASOK calls on ND to take stand on 'Technopolis' mismanagement issue

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The issue hit the headlines after a front-page article run by the newspaper ''Eleftherotypia'', which quoted a report by international chartered accountants Deloitte & Touch� that found irregularities in the management of Technopolis finances.

Noting Tuesday's reactions by Avramopoulos himself, who dismissed the report as a pre-election trick, and current Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, who said that the affair had been known for months, Diamantopoulou said there appeared to be general agreement that ''Technopolis'' had been badly managed but Karamanlis had avoided any comment.

''There is a major issue, therefore, regarding the management model, the administrative model and the margins for tolerance that ND shows regarding what we call bad management and bad administration,'' she stressed.

''We will on no account begin denouncing people but we would like to have some idea how ND will handle such phenomena,'' she added.

According to Diamantopoulou, there were both political and criminal dimensions to the case, while the Athens mayor and the municipal council will be responsible for handling the reports according to their own political criteria.

She also pointed to the ''harsh'' reaction from Papandreou in the Porto Carras affair and called on Karamanlis to display the same attitude to incidents of ''embezzling and mismanagement of public funds'', noting that this issue did not only concern Avramopoulos but also other municipal councilors now running on ND election tickets.

[07] ND leader pledges service to finance women in business

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

He also reiterated his party's positions for the taxation of small and medium-sized enterprises, extension of all-day schools, student grants, rent subsidies and student loans on favorable terms.

He also referred to society's debt to senior citizens and the need to upgrade public transport, roads and to extend the metro.

[08] PM and defense minister discuss Olympics security, sources say

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

According to sources, Papantoniou briefed the premier on the involvement of the Greek armed forces in security arrangements for the Olympic Games in Athens this August.

The two men also exchanged views on current political developments, while Papantoniou presented the prime minister with a copy of his second book, ''Greece: accession into EMU and the challenges of the future''.

[09] PASOK secretary pays 'lightning' visit to Iraklion, Crete

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

In statements to reporters afterward, Chrysohoidis said there were clear indications of an upcoming victory for PASOK on Crete.

"It is worth supporting this effort of [PASOK leader] George Papandreou and the democratic party to open a door to the new age, a door that is wide open for all Greeks and all Cretans and secures a just future for all," he said.

[10] FM accuses Turkish Cypriot side of backtracking and undermining procedures

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

''In the recent talks in New York, following an interruption of many months, an agreement was reached on the resumption of talks on the issue of Cyprus, with the Annan plan being the basis for negotiating and with the aim of reaching a solution by May 1,'' Yiannitsis also said in his statement.

''We are looking forward to the displaying of a spirit of respect for the framework accepted on February 13 to facilitate a viable, workable and just solution aimed at a reunited Cyprus taking the place it deserves in the European Union,'' Yiannitsis added.

Gul congratulates Yiannitsis on his appointment as foreign minister: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has congratulated Tassos Yiannitsis on his appointment as new foreign minister.

In his letter of congratulations, Gul wished his Greek counterpart ''continuous successes'', at the same time underling his desire ''for us to cooperate closely for the further development of the process of dialogue and cooperation between Turkey and Greece.''

In his letter of reply, Yiannitsis, having thanked his Turkish counterpart for his ''kind wishes,'' expressed the conviction that ''through our mutual efforts, the rapprochement process which began in 1999 will continue to bear fruit for the benefit of our two countries.''

Yiannitsis, who was formerly alternate foreign minister, replaced George Papandreou who was elected new PASOK party leader.

[11] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The EU Parliament�s plenary on March 8 will vote on a report on Romania�s and Bulgaria�s progress toward the acquis communautaire, following December's decision by the EU Summit in Brussels to finalize the �framework timetable� for entry negotiations, which provided that Romania will conclude negotiations on the 30 chapters before November 2004 and sign the accession treaty during the first half of 2005, allowing for close to two years for the ratification of its 2007 accession by the 25 countries that will be composing the EU after May 2004.

�The EU Parliament committee responsible for the progress report on Romania and Bulgaria approved the draft, that will now be subject to a vote in the plenary,� Aurelian Paraipan, Counselor of the Romanian Embassy in Athens, said, adding that his country has provisionally concluded negotiations on 22 of the 30 chapters, while great progress on the remaining 8 has been already made.

He also noted that Romania�s current participation in the European institutions might be used for the country�s de facto membership, before the 2007 de jure membership.

Speaking to the press, Dragomir stressed that �internal preparations will steadily continue in the fields of economic reform, administrative reform and radical reforms in the judicial system�, reiterating that the country's key goal is ''to conclude the negotiations process in 2004, during the mandate of the current European Commission, with a view to full accession in 2007''.

He focused on the European Union�s commitment to maintain the same criteria for Romania�s and Bulgaria�s accession as those applied for the accession of the 10 countries that will become full members in May 2004.

[12] Public Power Corp. shows earnings rise in 2003

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

Revenue increased by 13.7 per cent against 2002 to total 3,891 million euros, due to a six per cent increase in consumption and 2.5 per cent rise in charges from September 1, 2003, the state owned company said in a statement.

Earnings per share rose to 1.3 euros from 1.01 euros in the previous year; and spending on investment in 2003 totalled 718 million euros, the statement said.

The PPC's net debt fell by 295 million euros to 3,895 million euros against December 31, 2002, it added.

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks down in blue chip selling

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 1.20 per cent to end at 2,392.88 points. Turnover was 203.8 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.39 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.49 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with losses of 0.42 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 207 to 99 with 49 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 25 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,273 1,244

[14] Cyprus Olympic Committee president interviewed by

ANA NICOSIA 26/2/2004 (ANA)

Lazarides also mentioned that the Olympic Flame will be in Cyprus on July 8 and a special committee has already been set up to work out the details of the torch relay.

He added that despite the desire to have the Flame travel through occupied Cyprus, he did not consider it a possibility. ''However, we are still hopeful,'' he said.

[15] Europarliament Culture Committee calls for support for Olympic Truce

BRUSSELS 26/2/2004 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)

The Culture Committee considered it necessary to have ''member-states encouraged to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee in its efforts to render the Olympic Truce a means for promoting peace and reconciliation in war zones during the Olympic Games, as well as after them.''

It also considered essential ''to promote all initiatives that strengthen man's relation with culture, mainly in the framework of the European Education Year through Sport-2004.''

[16] Kartalis to brief National Olympic Committees

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

Special reference will also be made to the progress of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA).

[17] The Truce Story - Presentation of schoolbook to NOCs

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

The book, presented to the NOC representatives during a special event, has already been published in eight languages and will be forwarded by UNESCO for distribution in schools in more than 80 countries, including a number of countries in a state of war.

The illustrated edition features a fictional little girl named Irene (Irini, Greek for peace) who comes from �Dead End� city, an imaginary divided city similar to Cold War-era Berlin or today�s Nicosia on the island of Cyprus. Irene, together with little Philon, a boy who comes from the other part of the same city, sneak onto the bus used by the Truce Ambassadors on a relay to bring an olive branch all over the world and try to help them bring the olive branch, and with it peace, on earth and, ultimately, to their own divided city. The storyline also features the mythical gods of Olympus watching over the pair of children throughout their journey, which is strewn with problems created by Ares, the mythical god of war.

The text is written by Rachel Howard and the drawings are the work of Kalliope Economakos, while Dora Palli is the publication's editor.

The book also contains advice for teachers.

Vice-Chairman of the International Olympic Truce Center, George Papandreou, Greece's former foreign minister and new president of the ruling PASOK party, said that the effort of reviving the Olympic Truce first began in 1998 "when the idea was reminiscent of a distant dream", and called the entire effort "an endurance race, rather than a sprint".

"The time has come to turn our attention to the children, since the roots of a peaceful world are found in the individual himself. Consequently, education is a task of utmost importance," Papandreou said, adding that "although sport cannot impose peace, it can certainly inspire it".

"Only through a change of attitude, from (within) the family and the school itself, can peace grow," Papandreou added, and noted UNESCO's decision to "adopt" the book and distributed it in more than 80 countries. "It is a very significant opportunity to spread the idea of peace and truce throughout the world," he said.

Brief greetings were made by International Olympic Truce Center director Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, UNESCO good will ambassador Marianna Vardinoyianni, Olympic Flame high priestess Thalia Procopiou, IOC Athletes Committee chairman and legendary pole-vault Olympic medallist Sergei Bubka, and the writer and illustrator of the book.

Also attending the presentation were IOC president Dr. Jacques Rogge, who is also chairman of the International Olympic Truce Center, Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) chief Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Greek Olympic Committee chairman Lambis Nikolaou, and Athens Olympic Games general director Prof. Costas Kartalis.

[18] Armed man takes bus driver hostage, releases him

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

Police said the man, later identified as 47-year-old Vassilis Manis, boarded an OASA urban bus at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday on the corner of central Zinonos and Boulgari streets, off Omonoia Square, and had been holding the driver, 30-year-old Nikos Sotiropoulos hostage at gunpoint, demanding that television crews be brought to the scene so that he could publicize his problem. Manis is unemployed.

Police cordoned off the vicinity and managed to convince the man to end the hostage situation peacefully.

Manis had initially demanded to meet with prime minister Costas Simitis to set out to the premier the problem of unemployment, saying that he was unemployed. He later said he wanted to meet with the public order minister to tell him that all the members of the "November 17" terrorist group had not been arrested.

Manis released the driver, turned over his rifle and surrendered to police about 45 minutes later after they promised to intercede on his demands.

The gunman was taken to the nearby Omonoia police station for questioning.

[19] ELA court refuses to give copies of its rulings, reasoning during proceedings

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

These concerned the competency of the court to judge the case, the order that send the five defendants to trial and other issues.

The court found that it was not obliged to supply copies of its reasoning and its rulings during the proceedings.

The session was adjourned early, while the first eight witnesses in the case have been called to appear on Thursday.

[20] Archbishop sees Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

At the end of the film, Christodoulos said:

''The film we saw is inspired by an excessive and shocking realism, at least in the scenes of violence, which comes however in contrast with the controlled narration of the gospels of the Holy Passion. The purpose of the Holy Passion is not to provoke the Christians, neither to provoke stimulus in their fantasy, neither to their feelings, neither to provoke sentiments of hate and despair towards people who were accomplice to the passion and the crucifixion, given that the passion of Christ was voluntary. The purpose of the Holy Passion is the confrontation with ourselves, with our sins.''

[21] Greece sends humanitarian aid to quake-stricken Morocco

Athens, 26/2/2004 (ANA)

In a telephone conversation, which Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos had with the Moroccan foreign minister on Wednesday, the Greek minister expressed Greece's readiness to send humanitarian aid.

A C-130 plane was due to depart for Rabat later on Wednesday with a rescue squad, materials, research and salvage equipment and specially trained dogs.

The foreign ministry in an announcement said that within the next 24 hours, a second C-130 plane will depart which will carry five members of the non-governmental organization ''Greek Rescue Squad'', four members of the non-governmental organization ''Doctors of the World'', a hospital vehicle and pharmaceuticals.

The earthquake, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, struck northern Morocco early on Tuesday, killing nearly 600 people.

[22] Papadopoulos-Denktash meeting put off

NICOSIA 26/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the talks, due to have taken place at 1000 local time in the presence of UN Secretary-General's special adviser Alvaro de Soto, would continue on Thursday.

''Today's meeting has been postponed because of the positions put forward by Denktash. We expect the talks to continue tomorrow,'' Chrysostomides said.

Asked if the Greek Cypriot side will reply to Denktash's document, the spokesman said ''certainly, we will respond appropriately to the positions Denktash presented us with in the early hours of today.''

Asked if the answer to Denktash will be communicated in a letter or at the negotiating table, he said this would be decided in time.

Replying to questions, the spokesman said the Greek Cypriot side will reply to all points raised by the Turkish Cypriot leader.

''If we consider that something is outside the framework of the UN plan, then this will be pointed out. If there are other issues at hand, then we will outline our views on them in detail,'' Chrysostomides explained.

CNA learned that in his new document Denktash raises again all issues for discussion, even the core issues, reiterating his long-standing positions.

UNFICYP's spokesman Brian Kelly told CNA ''today's meeting has been put off until tomorrow at the request of one of the parties.''

President Papadopoulos conferred on Wednesday morning at the Presidential Palace with the Greek Cypriot side's negotiating team. Greek Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos was also at the Presidential Palace.

[23] Cyprus President meets top UN envoy

NICOSIA 26/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The meeting came after the postponement of Wednesday's meeting in the context of the UN-led negotiations, following the submission of a document which Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash tabled on Tuesday night.

The paper falls short of the philosophy of the UN proposal under discussion.

CNA learned that during Wednesday night's meeting, Papadopoulos did not give de Soto the Greek Cypriot side's reply to the document. There was an exchange of views on the situation created after the tabling of the Denktash document.

Earlier on Wednesday de Soto also met in Turkish-occupied Nicosia with Denktash.

UN-led peace talks began last Thursday with a view at finding a political settlement by May 1 when Cyprus joins the European Union.

[24] Defense minister says Greek Cypriot side creating good climate

NICOSIA 26/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Dismissing allegations by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that the Greek Cypriot side was upgrading its military equipment, Mavronicolas said it is the Turkish side that maintains 45,000 troops ready for war on the island and had recently upgraded its infantry.

Mavronicolas noted that the Greek Cypriot side had frozen its programs to upgrade its weaponry and had furthermore removed landmines, adding that the only programs it follows are maintenance related.

He said that he expected Turkey to make similar moves by reducing its occupation troops, noting that Ankara should give written assurances that it had changed its stance and was seeking a political settlement.

The minister said he would brief the upcoming EU Defense Ministers' meeting on the ''military realities on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.''

Replying to questions, Mavronicolas said the Turkish occupation troops were ready to step into action almost immediately as opposed to the National Guard, which depended on the mobilization of reservists.

Asked about the future of the National Guard in case of a solution, the minister said the force would not be dissolved overnight, adding that according to the solution plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the National Guard would have to be dismantled within 29 months.

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