Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] IOC chief Rogge certain Athens will organize good Games

[02] PM Simitis briefs President Stephanopoulos on Cyprus developments, campaign

[03] PASOK leader addresses rally in Patra, promises jobs, fairer wealth distribution

[04] PASOK leader presents his party's health platform

[05] PASOK spokeswoman sees 7 'lies' in main opposition's program

[06] ND leader Karamanlis addresses election campaign rally in Ioannina

[07] Communist party leader urges workers to 'steadfastly' vote for KKE

[08] Coalition party leader holds talks with labor union directorate

[09] DHKKI leader addresses party rally in Thessaloniki

[10] Cross-party Committee decides on TV time for smaller parties

[11] President Stephanopoulos sends condolences for Trajkovski's death

[12] Greek Deputy FM Magriotis holds talks with Russian counterpart Denisov

[13] Bulgaria and Greece cooperate on cross-border security

[14] Greek inflation highest in EU in January, Eurostat

[15] Greek weekly economic review

[16] Tax assistance for US citizens resident in Greece, new dates

[17] Bank of Greece to accept drachma coins until Monday

[18] Greek stocks surge 1.47 pct on Friday

[19] Olympic Games executive director satisfied with test events

[20] PM tours new Olympic Equestrian Center at Markopoulo

[21] Blood donations for the Olympic Games

[22] Barrage of explosions at PASOK, ND offices in Athens

[23] Cyprus President Papadopoulos wants substantive negotiations

[24] Alvaro de Soto: leaders have clear idea of each other's proposals

[25] US Cyprus envoy arrives Sunday

[26] UN Deputy Secretary General to visit Cyprus next week

[01] IOC chief Rogge certain Athens will organize good Games

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Addressing the 14th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) currently taking place in Athens, Rogge noted the delays in Olympic preparations in the initial years of 1997 to 2000, saying that the timetables were pressing, but added that if the present pace in preparations was kept up, everything would be in place on time for the Games.

Rogge also gave kudos to Greece on its security planning for the Games, saying: ''The Greek government has taken all the necessary measures, in cooperation with countries advanced in the field of security, and all possible eventualities have been studied.''

Replying to press questions, Rogge said that indeed there was much that still remained to be done, ''but the time remaining to the opening of the Games is sufficient for everything to be ready on time''.

Rogge also said that a successful and smooth Games would bring an increase in IOC financial reinforcement to the organizing country from the revenues from television broadcast rights.

He further said that the 210 million dollar budget that was currently the organizing country's share of the television rights would be increased to 240 million dollars for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

ATHOC president presents progress report to IOC: Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki briefed the IOC Executive Board on the progress of Olympic Games preparations including: infrastructure and projects, the Games' volunteer program, ticketing, security, and the city's functionality.

Daskalaki made the following statement after the presentation: '' Progress has undoubtedly been made to date, but there are serious challenges ahead of us.''

Among these she cited, ''the completion of the tram, the suburban railway, the Marathon projects and, of course, the roofs over the Olympic Stadium and the Swimming venue.''

While much effort will be required to accomplish the above goals, ''we didn't come this far to let these challenges stop us now,'' Daskalaki said.

[02] PM Simitis briefs President Stephanopoulos on Cyprus developments, campaign

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The outgoing prime minister thanked the President for his "impeccable cooperation", which "enabled us to achieve a very good operation of the institutions".

Stephanopoulos, in turn, expressed deep appreciation for "everything the prime minister has done for the country".

Results of first week of Cyprus talks assessed by PM Simitis, FM Giannitsis: Developments in the Cyprus issue were the focus of a meeting that was currently underway early Friday afternoon between prime minister Costas Simitis and caretaker foreign minister Tasos Giannitsis.

According to sources, the meeting was being held to assess the results of the first week of UN-sponsored talks underway in Cyprus between Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

US state department special coordinator on the Cyprus issue Thomas Weston will be in Athens early next week for talks at the foreign ministry, following a visit to Cyprus.

[03] PASOK leader addresses rally in Patra, promises jobs, fairer wealth distribution

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou strongly criticized the main opposition New Democracy party and its leader Costas Karamanlis personally of ''undermining every struggle for change for seven whole years''.

He also accused ND of ''having eight years of compromises with the far-right, racism and xenophobia''. He further said ND embraced those who reviled the President of the Republic, who are far-rightists and people who judge others by what they look like and where they were born.

''It embraced all these people for a handful of votes. These are the principles of ND,'' Papandreou said, adding that on March 7 (the date of the elections) the people will again send to the opposition the party wishing to turn Greece back to the past.

Papandreou raised specific dilemmas which the people will have to decide on in the elections: �social justice or the annulment of popular achievements, prosperity for all or a deep crisis in the economy and the abandonment of the social state, security for the Greeks and Greece in Europe of the ''25'' or isolation and retrogression, the release of all creative forces in the country or the re-establishment of the party state, a powerful Greece to work to bring young underprivileged people to the forefront of history or it being allowed to roll into setbacks again and promoting the strong citizen or allowing inequalities to spread through society.''

Papandreou referred to the achievements of PASOK governments and stressed that unless a strong Greece is consolidated society will turn back 10 years.

''Greece can proceed with boldness and optimism towards the future on the basis of the great task of past years. We are overturning centralized and bureaucratic models in all sectors and we are implementing a new model of growth and of a social state,'' he said.

Papandreou, focusing on national issues, said he is out in front in the struggle to safeguard national interests, defend just national causes and consolidate sovereign rights.

''Yes to a solution to the issue of Cyprus, to a solution to the continental shelf issue, to Greek-Turkish rapprochement and to an immediate and mutual reduction of armaments,'' he said, stressing that the inviolable condition must be that the solutions must be nationally acceptable and be solutions for Greece.

PASOK leader meets GSEBEE union confederation, promises 'consultation': In a meeting with the union confederation of small manufacturers, entrepreneurs and traders GSEBEE, PASOK leader George Papandreou on Friday promised that his policies for small and medium-sized businesses will be marked by a process of consultation if he is elected prime minister in the March 7 polls.

In statements after the meeting, Papandreou underlined the need to support SMEs and change attitudes toward enterprise.

''The meaning of enterprise cannot be tantamount to guilt. We have to orient our society, our way of thinking, our action to those who produce in this country,'' Papandreou said.

He said that one of PASOK's central policies was changing the tax environment for SMEs, so that it engendered security rather than inconvenience.

''We have to release business people from the uncertainty of a variety of often pointless tax laws. Our aim is to simplify and codify all the legislation as quickly as possible - this will also help owners of SMEs and greatly contribute to attracting foreign investments to our country,'' PASOK's leader said.

According to GSEBEE president Dimitris Asimakopoulos, Papandreou had listened attentively to their positions and promised that future policies would arise through a process of consultation.

PASOK leader holds meeting with party's senior staff: Ruling PASOK party leader George Papandreou had a meeting early on Friday afternoon with PASOK senior staff at which an evaluation was made on the course towards the March 7 general elections as well as on Thursday night's televised debate between the leaders of the country's five political parties represented in the national Parliament and the Europarliament.

Also examined at the meeting, held at the PASOK headquarters at Harilaou Trikoupi Street in central Athens, were issues related to the last week of the election campaign, the tours and events in which Papandreou will take part in but also the general image which PASOK must present in these last 10 days before the elections.

Taking part in the meeting were Theodoros Pangalos, Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Costas Laliotis, Alekos Papadopoulos, Costas Skandalidis, Haris Pamboukis and Alex Rondos.

[04] PASOK leader presents his party's health platform

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at a central Athens hotel, Papandreou said that ruling PASOK's new policies for health centered on measures to make state health care more effective and reduce the complaints of the public.

He promised better primary health care and improvements in state hospital that included more nursing staff, rather than just technological equipment, as well as improved training for both nurses and doctors.

Specifically, he said PASOK's program called for pay raises for doctors and nurses with a new pay system that abolished fake all-day shifts and took into account the specialization of staff.

He also said that 10,000 additional nursing staff will be hired over the next four years and promised to allow municipalities to set up more urban health centers in Athens and other big cities that will ''screen'' less serious health problems before patients are sent to hospitals.

He said the family general practitioner and an electronic health card for those insured by state social security funds would remain the central axis of PASOK's health program.

Referring to problems of overcrowding and lack of hospital beds, Papandreou said this was actually a result of poor organization of available resources rather than a lack of beds, as such. He said the phenomenon of patients in corridors would cease to exist if the system was organized more effectively.

Papandreou also announced a new operating framework for primary health care, where all hospitals and treatment centers, including those run by social insurance organizations and municipalities, will be under the supervision of the health and welfare ministry but operate independently on a local level and be coordinated by regional health councils.

This means that IKA hospitals will fall under the national health system ESY, while hospitals will be linked with the home treatment program with the aim of allowing one-day or short-term hospitalization depending on the gravity of the incident.

Finally, Papandreou promised better equipment for hospitals and more intensive care units, as well as the creation of special emergency room (ER) departments that currently operate in hospitals abroad.

Among the PASOK leader's proposals for the future were child, cancer and post-hospitalization care clinics for those with chronic ailments, extending evening out-patient clinics to more areas of medicine and the creation of a new university nursing school outside Athens that will be linked with the new university hospital in the capital.

[05] PASOK spokeswoman sees 7 'lies' in main opposition's program

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

According to ND, Greece was unique in recording a ''statistical rise in GDP'' at the same time as budget revenues fell short of the mark, markets appeared to be suffocating, employment failed to rise, savings were restricted, poverty was increasing and regional inequalities were widening.

Diamantopoulou disputed the adjective ''statistical'', saying that GDP growth had been certified at 4.2 per cent and denied that markets were 'suffocating' since retail sales turnover had reached 5.2 per cent in September 2003, compared to an average EU rise of 0.6 per cent.

She also said employment rates had increased by 1 per cent in 2003, while unemployment had fallen by 8.8 per cent, that savings had increased at an annual rate of 8.8 per cent from 2000-2003, while poverty in Greece had fallen from 22 per cent to 20 per cent with high rates of home ownership.

She compared this to poverty rates in Ireland and Portugal, countries that she claimed ND regarded as models, where poverty rates stood at 21 per cent and 20 per cent compared to an EU average of 15 per cent.

She also noted that the gap between rich and poor regions within Greece was smaller than that for any other European country, with income differences between Attica and Epirus at around 70 per cent, compared with figures ranging from 110 per cent or 200 per cent in Spain, France, Austria and Holland.

Finally, she denied that the budget deficit targets in 2003 had been missed because a shortfall in revenues, saying that they were caused by increased spending due to the Olympics and natural disasters.

[06] ND leader Karamanlis addresses election campaign rally in Ioannina

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

''The prefecture of Ioannina can operate as a bridge of cooperation with the neighboring peoples,'' Karamanlis stated, adding that ''we are ready to advance a concrete regional policy, an intervention with specific priorities.''

The ND leader presented five priorities for the region of Ioannina.

The first concerns the complete and transparent activation of the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF). The second is related to the environment and natural wealth, the third to the elevation of cultural heritage, the fourth to the promotion of infrastructure works, such as the Egnatia Highway, the Western Axis, the railway network and the Ioannina airport, and the fifth to the support of farmers, local tourism and small and medium-size businesses.

With regard to the ND's objectives, Karamanlis focused on the reduction of unemployment, the convergence of salaries and pensions to the average European Union level, the implementation of a national strategy for regional development, the sup-port of the economy's producer sectors, agriculture and tourism and to the encouragement of new entrepreneurship and support of small and medium-size businesses.

''On March 7 we are making a new start,'' he said.

[07] Communist party leader urges workers to 'steadfastly' vote for KKE

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

She stressed that KKE did not waver and saw as modern the things that improved the life of the working class.

KKE was the only party that made it clear that it was fighting to give power to the people, power to the working class, which also included other repressed popular classes, she added.

''The working class must not waive its right to govern. That which today seems as dim as a dream, this will help the working class in its struggle even today. If the working class does not believe in its strength and its role, everything will be taken away from it. This is clear,'' Papariga said.

[08] Coalition party leader holds talks with labor union directorate

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Speaking after the meeting, Constantopoulos said an essential condition for real convergence is the bold increase in incomes, the redistribution of wealth, the increase in employment, the enactment of the 35-hour work week and support for the social security system.

Constantopoulos added that working people have struggled over the past 15 years for social achievements, social justice and the protection of collective goods and not for neo-liberal variations.

He further said that real convergence with European standards means convergence in employment, in income and in social protection.

[09] DHKKI leader addresses party rally in Thessaloniki

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

''It is a necessity for democracy for DHKKI to enter Parliament, because it is a movement of the people of toil and of culture,'' he said, adding that his party has experienced members who have knowledge of problems and of national issues.

Tsovolas outlined his party's positions and program on national issues, farmers and the economy.

He said his party is opposed to the Annan plan for the Cyprus issue and proposed the transfer of the agriculture ministry to Thessaly and of the education and culture ministries to Thessaloniki.

Referring to the question of cooperation among leftist parties, Tsovolas said neither the leadership of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) nor that of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology wanted in reality the creation of a third progressive pole and called on the two parties to agree to a dialogue on this issue after the elections.

[10] Cross-party Committee decides on TV time for smaller parties

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

These do not include ruling PASOK, main opposition New Democracy, the Coalition of the Radical Left and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

The committee decided that parties that have election tickets in 70 per cent of the constituencies in the country will have one of their pre-election rallies covered by state television plus a one-hour interview of their party leader, as well as five minutes free airtime in which to present their party program or a party-political broadcasts from private TV channels and radio stations.

The committee also decided on travel discounts that will apply for voters traveling to their constituencies to vote, including a 20-50 per cent discount on ferry tickets, a 15 per cent discount agreed with Olympic Airways and a 30 per cent discount on train and inter-city bus tickets.

In addition, following a proposal by ND, it was agreed that the results from each voting station in the upcoming elections will be sent to the headquarters of PASOK and ND, as well as the interior ministry and prefecture. The two main parties will then pass the results on to the smaller parties.

The interior ministry informed the committee that the number of voters not included in the electoral rolls does not exceed 3,000. He said that non-local voters that had been omitted from the rolls due to errors by the Citizens Service Center or municipalities will have to contact the interior ministry to find out where to vote.

[11] President Stephanopoulos sends condolences for Trajkovski's death

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

''With deep sorrow I learned of the death of President Boris Trajkovski, who definitively contributed to the stability, peace and prosperity of your country. I wish to convey to your Excellency, to the people of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the family of the deceased president my deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences,'' Stephanopoulos said in the telegram.

[12] Greek Deputy FM Magriotis holds talks with Russian counterpart Denisov

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The two deputy foreign ministers discussed the details for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipe line and agreed for a tripartite meeting between Greece, Russia and Bulgaria be held in order for the next steps for the implementation of the plan to be determined.

At the same time, Magriotis raised to his Russian counterpart the Greek side's request for the full activation of the agreement which was signed between the two countries in 1998 within the framework of the signing of the contract for the transport of natural gas to Greece from Russia and which concerned the promotion of Greek products to the Russian market.

Finally, Magriotis briefed Denisov on Thessaloniki's candidacy to host EXPO 2008 and asked for Russia's support.

[13] Bulgaria and Greece cooperate on cross-border security

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Efstathiades and Borisov agreed to:

Tighten monitoring of the countries' common borders; Check those entering Greece more closely; Crack down on those producing counterfeit money, travel documents, and credit cards; Stop human trafficking, illegal immigration, drug production and trafficking; Exchange information regarding organized crime and illegal entry of aliens from developing countries; Cooperate closely on security issues concerning the Athens Games.

The Greek Chief of Police, Lieutenant General Fotios Nasiakos, and other senior police officers, as well as officers from Thessaloniki, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace were also present at the meeting.

[14] Greek inflation highest in EU in January, Eurostat

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The EU's executive statistics agency said that Spain, Ireland and Luxembourg followed with the second highest inflation rates (2.3 percent), while Finland (0.8 percent) and Denmark (1.0 percent) recorded the lowest inflation rates in January. Greek inflation was running at 3.3 percent in January 2003.

Eurozone inflation fell to 1.9 percent in January from 2.0 percent in December and down from 2.1 percent in January 2003. Inflation was unchanged at 1.8 percent in the EU-15 in January, although down from 2.0 percent from the same month last year.

Denmark, Ireland and Sweden recorded the biggest declines in their annual inflation rates, while Germany, France and Belgium the biggest increases.

Annual inflation fell to 0.2 percent in Switzerland and was unchanged at 1.9 percent in the US in January.

[15] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

In other headline news this week, credit conditions worsened in January with bouncing cheques rising both in volume and value, to 7,204 units worth 71.2 million euros, up 30.13 percent and 42 percent, respectively, compared with the previous month.

A report by the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) showed a significant improvement in the economic sentiment index in Greece, in the EU-15 and the Eurozone in January. The index was positively affected by improved expectations by both the business sector and consumers. Portugal (+0.7 percent), Greece, Holland and UK (+0.5 percent) and Ger-many (+0.4 percent) recorded the biggest monthly improvement, while Denmark, Spain and Luxembourg recorded slight declines in the index.

IOBE also published a separate report on the outlook of private insurance in Greece. The report said the outlook of the sector was not particularly positive in the short-tem and noted that significant factors such as a reform in the social security system, creating strong and effective supervision mechanisms and offering tax incentives by the state, were basic preconditions to improving the sector's performance in the long-term.

Alpha Bank's chairman, Yiannis Kostopoulos, urged for bold measures to promote privatizations, to create a stable business climate, to effectively deal with the social security issue and to create a more flexible labor market after the March 7 general elections. Commenting on Alpha Bank's performance, Mr Kostopoulos said that the bank's current capital situation would be used to develop Alpha Bank into the Greek market's number one bank and to strengthen its position in international markets.

More than half a million citizens were using the Attico Metro for their transportation around Athens. AMEL, the operating company of the Athens Metro said that passenger traffic was up 14.17 percent in 2003 from the previous year, with traffic recording a new record in November with a daily number of 576,557. Average daily traffic was 505,973 in 2003 from 446,524 in 2002.

[16] Tax assistance for US citizens resident in Greece, new dates

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The tax assessor, originally scheduled to be available on March 11 to March 17, 2004, will in fact be in Athens from April 13-15, 2004 to answer tax questions for U.S. citizens. The official will be available at the Embassy from 08:30 - 12:00 noon and 01:00 - 03:30 p.m. daily. The tax assistor will not fill out tax forms but will only answer questions. She will see the public on a first come first served basis.

For information and tax forms please call the Notarial Unit at 210-7202421 or 210-7202423, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The rate of exchange for 2004 tax returns is $1.00 to Euro 0.8882.

The Internet site for IRS from where one can download forms is http://www.irs.gov

[17] Bank of Greece to accept drachma coins until Monday

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The announcement said that the central bank and tax agencies would continue accepting drachma coins until next Monday and that no other transaction would be accepted after this deadline.

The central bank began exchanging drachma coins and notes with euro currency from January 1, 2002 during the changeover period to introduce the European single currency.

[18] Greek stocks surge 1.47 pct on Friday

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

The general index ended at 2,451.50 points, up 1.47 percent, with turnover a heavy 261.2 million euros.

The Telecommunications sector led the market's rally (up 3.57 percent), followed by Cement (2.18 percent) and Textiles (2.07 percent), while the Bank sector rose 1.39 percent. One the other hand, the Retail and Construction sectors suffered losses (1.62 percent and 0.22 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.36 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.39 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.27 percent up. The FTSE/ASE 140 index rose 1.36 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 222 to 62 with another 71 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 27 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,251 1,223

[19] Olympic Games executive director satisfied with test events

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Felli also expressed some concern regarding the Calatrava roof (covering the Athens Olympic Sports Complex), but reassured that, ''Our experts have informed us that work is progressing smoothly and that these projects will be completed on time.''

Additionally, during Friday's session of the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees, Ahmed Abdul Ghafoor Al-Samarrai, President of the Iraq National Olympic Committee, announced that Iraqi athletes would be participating in the preliminaries for the 2004 Games for individual events.

[20] PM tours new Olympic Equestrian Center at Markopoulo

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

Simitis called the new facility one of the best in the world and an unprecedented project for Greece, while noting that the relocation of the horse track from the Faliro coastal district in Athens -- the only pari-mutuel track in Greece -- allows easier access to the seafront.

Moreover, he said it was further proof that 'the country is changing and is changing for the better.''

Simitis emphasized that the equestrian center�s post-Olympics use will dramatically aid the country's riding clubs.

The new facilities sit on 211 hectares of land on a site where the ancient settlement of Myrinounta existed some 5,000 years ago.

[21] Blood donations for the Olympic Games

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

''Regular blood donation from conscientious donors who give blood for their fellow human beings is a basic prerequisite for sufficient blood supplies that will help not only all those in need, but also all those who we will host during the Olympic Games in Athens,'' Ioanna Myrilla, president of the association said.

According to Konstantina Politi, President of the Ministry of Health's Blood Donor Committee, 100,000 extra bottles of blood will be needed for the Olympic Games.

''We must all draw inspiration from Olympic ideals and encourage young people especially to become blood donors, thus sending a message that we have faith in a better world characterized by social participation and cohesion,'' she added.

The event was held under the auspices of the Health Ministry and the Culture Ministry's Olympic Games General Secretariat.

[22] Barrage of explosions at PASOK, ND offices in Athens

Athens, 28/2/2004 (ANA)

A home-made bomb comprising small propane canisters exploded at 1:50 a.m. outside an ND office in the Kallithea residential district, followed by the explosion of a similar device three minutes later at an ND office in the Neo Psychico suburb.

A fire erupted after the Kallithea explosion, causing extensive material damage to the office, while the Neo Psychico bomb caused minor damage to the office.

A third bomb, also comprising small propane canisters, exploded at 2:00 a.m. outside a PASOK office in the Hymettus residential district, and the ensuing fire caused extensive material damage.

A fourth explosion, by a similar device, six minutes later outside a PASOK office in Melissia suburb also caused extensive material damage.

There were no eyewitness accounts of the perpetrators in any of the four incidents.

[23] Cyprus President Papadopoulos wants substantive negotiations

NICOSIA 28/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after his fifth meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the context of the UN-sponsored talks aiming at a solution of the Cyprus problem by May 1st, when the island joins the European Union as a full member, Papadopoulos said Friday's discussions covered all issues in the first chapter of the agenda but the discussion was not completed, adding that on Monday the Turkish Cypriot side will make remarks on what the Greek Cypriot side had raised on Friday.

President Papadopoulos said he would not be ''carried away either by interventions, pressure or anything else'' that falls outside the line that serves the interests of the people of Cyprus as a whole and especially those of the Greek Cypriots.

Asked if there was identity of views on any issue, President Papadopoulos said ''it is too early to talk about convergence'' of views.

''At this stage, each side explains its positions, outlines its arguments. There are issues which one or the other side says before-hand that they cannot be discussed, there are other issues which it says we will think about and come back,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos said he had to submit the document in which the Greek Cypriot side responded to the Turkish Cypriot side's document tabled Tuesday evening, ''so that the UN are aware of our views and the (Turkish Cypriot) document does not remain unanswered when we all know that at the end of the day a process will follow during which the Secretary-General will decide.''

''This does not necessarily mean that we are going to become engaged in the process Denktash wants to push the issues into, that is to make his document and demands which outline his vision for a solution the epicenter or the framework of the discussions,'' he added.

Asked about Saturday's meeting of the National Council (top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem), President Papadopoulos said it would deal with all issues discussed so far during the talks.

''Assessments will be made, there will be a briefing (on the talks) and we will listen to the views,'' the president noted.

He said the Council will convene at 0930 local time and that there would be no meeting on Saturday in the framework of the UN-led talks for Cyprus.

Asked what the next stage would be, President Papadopoulos said ''negotiations will continue,'' adding that ''there are no tight limits and one cannot say today we will bargain, tomorrow we will give explanations.''

''The process goes on as in all negotiations but the basic principle remains. We want the negotiations to be substantive not just a mere exchange of documents or consolidated positions that are resolute,'' he added.

Invited to comment on a proposal by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a joint statement to be issued at the end of each meeting, President Papadopoulos wondered how such a proposal would resolve the problem.

Erdogan had said on Thursday it would be better for both sides to issue a joint statement instead of making statements separately on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said President Papadopoulos is making strong efforts to secure improvements of the Annan plan to the benefit of all the people of Cyprus so that the plan will become functional and viable.

Chrysostomides noted the need for all political powers to be united in order to support the president in the difficult task he has to carry out. He stressed the Greek Cypriot side would not abandon the negotiating table.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Talks are currently underway between the two sides on the island, under UN auspices, with a view to reach an agreement that would be put to referenda, so that a reunited Cyprus would join the EU in May this year.

[24] Alvaro de Soto: leaders have clear idea of each other's proposals

NICOSIA 28/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to CNA on Friday, he said that the turning point of the talks would be when information about what goes on behind closed doors stops trickling out and called on both leaders to spell out loud and clear their expressed desire to reach a settlement.

The UN envoy dismissed reports that talks are going badly and described the atmosphere around the negotiating table ''cordial'', the approach of both sides ''businesslike'', he said both sides show mutual understanding, they have done away with the rhetoric of the past and they generally stick to the agreed agenda.

De Soto urged all Cypriots to be patient and make their judgment on the outcome of the talks instead of passing judgment at this stage, noting that the people should trust the people they have chosen to represent them at the talks.

He appeared concerned that not enough effort is being made by the leaders to explain to the people that they are negotiating a compromise and that perhaps most but not all of their aspirations would be met in any agreed settlement.

''My advice would be that the Cypriots should wait until the results of the talks are out and make a judgment then in the light of the text as well as the explanation of the leaders may provide,'' he told CNA, adding that the people should trust the people they have chosen to represent them in these talks.

De Soto explained that the compromise that is being negotiated means that the text of the agreement reached ''will attempt to meet many, perhaps most of the aspirations of both sides but not all of them.''

He dismissed as ''nonsense'' press reports suggesting that what goes on behind closed doors is a crisis, heated discussions, people protesting and hostility between the two sides.

''The two sides show mutual understanding, they take the time to explain things to each other rather than shouting, where there is no rhetoric at all of the kind we have been accustomed to for such a long time, the approach is business like, where they are working within a carefully designed agenda and by enlarge sticking to it in an orderly fashion,'' Alvaro de Soto pointed out.

All of this, he added, augurs well for the negotiation.

The UN special adviser also dismissed stories saying the talks are going badly but did acknowledge that ''things could be better, quite a bit better'' and explained that it is in the nature of the negotiation of this type that things tend to get bunched up at the end whereas the start is a bit slow.

''What we have now is that by the beginning of next week each side will have before it in a clear manner in the form of proposed textual amendments to the plan, which is the basis, all of the proposals of each side and so no one will have anything in their pocket anymore,'' he told CNA.

He said that each side by the start of next week will know clearly where the other side stands, which is a ''very important step.''

[25] US Cyprus envoy arrives Sunday

NICOSIA 28/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Weston will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos and have separate meetings with House President Demetris Christofias and Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

He will also see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Mehmet Ali Talat and Serdar Denktash both of whom accompany Denktash in the UN-led talks.

The American diplomat will meet the UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the talks.

Weston plans to give a press conference on Monday evening. He leaves Tuesday morning.

[26] UN Deputy Secretary General to visit Cyprus next week

NICOSIA 28/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Brian Kelly, spokesman for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), said Sir Kieran was expected in Cyprus early next week to evaluate the situation regarding talks to solve the Cyprus problem, in order to brief UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

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