Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Coalition party leader Constantopoulos addresses main election rally in Athens

[02] PASOK leader Papandreou TV interview: Elections being held due to Cyprus issue

[03] PASOK leader addresses youth, accuses ND of xenophobia, racism

[04] PM Simitis visits Ionian islands of Cephalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos

[05] PASOK spokeswoman on cost of new measures announced by Papandreou

[06] ND leader visits campaign office, says ND is the party that 'unites' Greeks

[07] DHKKI leader underlines party's support for state health system

[08] US envoy for Cyprus and Greek FM holds talks in Athens

[09] LAOS party leader visits Irakleio, criticizes both mainstream parties

[10] PASOK MP Vrentzos sues four over 'junta torturer' allegations

[11] Greece of the cheapest car markets in EU, report

[12] Greeks avoid high-risk investments, report says

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in bid to consolidate

[14] Papandreou visits Olympic sport facilities at Aghios Kosmas

[15] Taekwondo federation keeps athletes from Olympic test event

[16] Broadcasting rights tender for 2010 and 2012 Olympics

[17] Olympic Games seminar for sponsors' employees

[18] PASOK leader visits Evgenidio Foundation

[19] St. State Department report: Greece a 'gateway' for drugs to W. Europe

[20] Bulgaria - Greece - Cultural Olympiad

[21] Body of Greek seaman among those collected from 'Bow Mariner' disaster

[22] Cypriot president says Tuesday's meeting was not productive

[23] UN senior official: my visit expresses Kofi Annan's interest in Cyprus

[24] Cypriot foreign minister says Ankara decides for Turkish Cypriots

[01] Coalition party leader Constantopoulos addresses main election rally in Athens

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

Constantopoulos said it will be the starting point which will make the Left again a difficult opponent and one to be reckoned with and called on voters to give strength to the Coalition of the Radical Left.

''Strength must be given to the Left which looks to the future and strength to the Left which is reorganizing and renewing its identity, inspired by the ideals, the values and the most beautiful struggle traditions of our Leftist, progressive and democratic movement,'' he said.

Referring to the position of the Left on the people's problems, he said ''the Left we envisage is the Left which will promote democracy, together with peace and social solidarity, as the central values which must govern and determine the human societies of the future.''

Constantopoulos went on to say ''we want growth to be combined with social cohesion, we want growth to be for all and not for a few, we want all to have a guaranteed pension and salary for a dignified living, we want all to have treatment for their illness and we want all to have the possibility of securing the education of their children.''

The Coalition party leader also stressed ''we have very low salaries, compared to the rest of Europe, and very low pensions, we have very high unemployment and we have the most flexible unemployment relations.''

Constantopoulos called on all Leftist citizens to back the Coalition of the Radical Left ''to enable us to build the new Left of our times'' because, as he said, the Coalition of the Radical Left is the beginning.

[02] PASOK leader Papandreou TV interview: Elections being held due to Cyprus issue

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

He also said that PASOK -- as government, and with himself as prime minister -- can advance and achieve a resolution of the Cyprus problem and lay the foundations for lasting cooperation with Turkey.

"Consider," he said, "that with a solution of the Cyprus issue there can be a deep-rooted and lasting change in Greek-Turkish relations that will create a sense of security among the citizens and a financial benefit of peace which will be channeled to education, health and other social benefits."

Papandreou further said that, with his recent election to the PASOK leadership, he had received a mandate for changes in the party, adding that he was seeking the same mandate in Sunday's general elections, and pledging that he would live up to that mandate without consideration of the political cost.

Asked to describe the characteristics of the members of a PASOK post-electoral government, Papandreou said they would be honest, capable, innovative, efficient, frank, and with a deep belief in democracy and the democratic function of the country.

Conversely, he added, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis was a 'captive of internal balances' in his party.

Papandreou further said that, as prime minister, he would ask the other political parties to work together so as to achieve national agreement on very serious issues, such as foreign policy, corruption -- on which he said there would be zero tolerance and legal sanctions against those proven to have been implicated in such cases -- education, health, etc.

With respect to the narcotics issue, Papandreou said there would be State assistance for families of users, and even more so to the users themselves, who he said should be treated as patients rather than be sent to prison.

[03] PASOK leader addresses youth, accuses ND of xenophobia, racism

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou pledged, if elected prime minister, to heed the views of the new generation and stressed the need for all young people to participate in political life, far from exclusions of any kind, and compared the dynamism of youth with "the conservatism of ND" which, as he said, fears youth.

''The conservative mentality of facing a foreigner, a young person with a different origin, with fear, racism and exclusion is unacceptable,'' he said, adding that ''the Right is closer to the past than to the future. It cannot stand the center-right. It has cadres who instead of reading books, burn them.''

Papandreou said that, in contrast, ''we are the movement of supply, PASOK of supply. Not to accommodate the few, but to give work to all youth. We are not the movement of exclusion. We want the addicted and the disabled person to participate.''

The PASOK leader's address focused on the changing of the institutional framework of education with the implementation of decentralization, as well as on the changing of the school system's content, while he pledged ''education preparing the young person for work and integration in society and not merely for examinations and education cultivating critical thought and paving options for the future, as well as enabling a young person to rid himself of the burden of learning by heart.''

Papandreou's address was attended by the secretary general of the Bulgarian Socialist Party's youth wing Georgi Nikolov and the president of the young Belgian socialists Laurent Winnock, who were invited by PASOK's youth organization.

[04] PM Simitis visits Ionian islands of Cephalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

He made the statement when laying a wreath at the monument of Marinos Antypas at Ferentinata.

''It is a message which stands the test of time because Antypas could have compromised but was aware that there is no future if the existing situation does not change. Therefore, we must be critical, to see long-term, not to compromise, because the best requires struggle and this struggle is beautiful,'' the prime minister said.

Simitis later visited Ithaca where in a speech he referred to EU funds which have supported the region of the Ionian Islands, noting that the funds mainly concern the small enterprises and the right environment.

He also termed as ''nonsense'' the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party's criticism of the PASOK government's economic policy. ''What they say (the ND) is nonsense. And economic policy is not done with nonsense. It needs stability and development and only PASOK can guarantee it. PASOK has knowledge, experience and will and for this reason you must give it the mandate to continue,'' Simitis said.

The prime minister went on to visit Zakynthos where during a dinner speech he noted that ''Greek society followed the government in difficult options and therefore the success of the PASOK government was a success of the Greek people.''

He further said that Greek society followed the indications of the government for Greece's accession to Economic and Monetary Union. ''This is what gave us national self-confidence; we were convinced that we can and that we are succeeding.''

Accusing the ND of ''great hypocrisy,'' Simitis concluded:''Let March 7 be a day of victory for PASOK.''

[05] PASOK spokeswoman on cost of new measures announced by Papandreou

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

She said the measures had not been included in PASOK's program because this had been largely ready when Papandreou took over the party's leadership.

According to Diamantopoulou, the measures were a clear political choice to activate social solidarity and sensitivity toward the weaker classes of the population. She also stressed that PASOK's economic team had made great efforts in order to work out the details of the specific measures.

[06] ND leader visits campaign office, says ND is the party that 'unites' Greeks

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

''We absolutely honored the commitment we made to all and ran an election campaign that was ethical, responsible, moderate and serious, making specific, ambitious and realistic proposals that are a direct answer to the problems and hopes of the electorate,'' he said.

Karamanlis arrived at the campaign center on foot from Syntagma Square, stopping along the way to talk to the public and local shop owners, many of whom wished him good luck at the elections on Sunday.

He also criticized his main opponent, ruling PASOK leader George Papandreou, accusing him of resorting to ''easy promises'' and of trying to whip up a climate of fanaticism and division among the electorate that had so damaged Greece in the past.

He stressed that ND had united and not divided Greeks, saying that this was its ''first great victory''.

''Unfortunately, we do not see the same on the other side, since they have once more resorted to the familiar past tactics and maneuvers and proved that general invocations to the new are not enough to actually bring what is new or political change,'' Karamanlis said.

According to Karamanlis, ND respected all citizens and built a firm relationship of trust with them, regardless of how they voted, while he promised that this would not change if the party was elected into government.

''With modesty, humility, moderation and responsibility, we will united our forces after March 8 and coordinate our common action, since our unwavering goal is to build a society of justice, solidarity and humanity,'' he said.

[07] DHKKI leader underlines party's support for state health system

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

"We do not see health as a commercial product. We see it as a social commodity that must be provided by the state without discrimination or exclusion to all citizens," he stressed during a visit to the Nikaia General Hospital.

Referring to the problems faced by the hospital, Tsovolas said the government and the finance ministry were not providing the funds needed to pay creditors, the results of which adversely affected the patients.

He stressed that the quality of services provided by the national health system (ESY) were being undermined by a lack of nursing, auxiliary and administrative staff and called for more spending on health.

[08] US envoy for Cyprus and Greek FM holds talks in Athens

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

He also stressed, however, that the sides involved still faced a ''difficult puzzle''.

Both Giannitsis and Weston avoided referring to actual content of the talks currently underway in Nicosia, saying that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan had asked all sides to avoid comments during this delicate stage, when negotiations were still in progress.

On his part, Giannitsis stressed the need for a solution that was compatible with the European Community's rules and laws, which would allow Cyprus to operate effectively within the European Union.

He also stressed that the Greek side wanted the referendum regarding the proposed solution, scheduled to take place on April 21, to be more than just a formality but a solution ''embraced'' and subsequently respected by the entire Cypriot people.

The minister announced that Greece and Turkey will soon be sitting down to talks regarding security issues and guarantees for the island, while other issues that remained outstanding would have to be dealt with after March 21. He expressed hope that none of the major issues would remain to be settled at that time, though stressing that significant difficulties would remain.

Giannitsis underlined during his talks with Weston that a process leading up to March 21 in which there was no substantial progress would not help take things in the desired direction.

''We place great emphasis on the presence of the EU, so that the results of the solution will be compatible with the Community and so that there is some guarantee that this result will be respected,'' Giannitsis added.

He also noted that Greece wanted the solution to coincide with a U.S. initiative to establish security, peace and democracy in the Middle East, making Cyprus the first example of such reconciliation in practice that would act as an important precedent in overcoming such problems.

On his part, Weston thanked the Greek foreign minister for their in-depth and comprehensive talks, saying that he had left Cyprus on Tuesday morning feeling encouraged by the way the sides involved were adhering to the process.

Asked to predict the results of the referendum on the solution, Weston stressed that it was up to the people of Cyprus to decide their own future.

Regarding developments after May 1, when Cyprus becomes a full member of the EU, Weston only noted that the Greek and Greek-Cypriot sides desired to reach a solution and had done everything they could for a solution to be achieved.

The State Department official also stressed that, in recent years, the U.S. had shown the necessary political will to assist in the direction of a just solution and would strive to do so in the future.

[09] LAOS party leader visits Irakleio, criticizes both mainstream parties

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

Karatzaferis said the leaders of the two parties, George Papandreou of PASOK and Costas Karamanlis of ND, were ''Siamese twins'', saying ''the one is the son and the grandson of a prime minister and the other the nephew of a prime minister and of a President of the Republic.''

He also appeared to reject opinion polls and reiterated that his party will be the third party in Parliamentary strength.

[10] PASOK MP Vrentzos sues four over 'junta torturer' allegations

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

The lawsuits were filed on Tuesday by Vrentzos' attorney, high-profile criminal lawyer Alexis Kougias.

Vrentzos, currently an MP from the Iraklion district in Crete and candidate for re-election, is seeking 2 million euro from each of the defendants in compensation for ''ethical damage'' he suffered from accusations by the two civilians -- Panayotis Poulopoulos and Ioannis Alexakis -- made late Sunday night on Triantafyllopoulos' investigative journalism program on Alter channel, that they had been ''tortured'' by Vrentzos in an incident during the 1967-74 colonels' dictatorship.

According to the lawsuit, Vrentzos was arrested on April 22, 1967 -- the day after the junta was declared -- on charges of insulting members of the then royal family, and was held in the Eptapyrgios prison in Thessaloniki until his conviction by a military court in September 1967, at which time he was transferred to the Boyati prison in the greater Athens area.

Vrentzos claims in his lawsuit that he had never been a torturer but, on the contrary, a victim himself of the junta, and attributed the accusations to a ''conspiracy aimed at influencing the electoral body''.

Vrentzos further claims in his lawsuit that his two accusers ''manufactured'' the story for the purpose of ''serving narrow electoral purposes'' and prospectively of ''harming his party'' (PASOK) or for personal gain.

The lawsuit will be discussed on November 4 while, in a petition to be discussed Tuesday at an Athens First Instance Court, Vrentzos further seeks an injunction against Alter television station and Triantafyllopoulos prohibiting any repetition of the slander against him and from any reference to his person.

Vrentzos was further expected later in the day to file a complaint against the same defendants in a penal court.

[11] Greece of the cheapest car markets in EU, report

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

The report, by the EU's executive, said that Germany and Austria recorded the highest prices in the Eurozone, while Greece, Denmark and Finland recorded the lowest prices. In Germany, a total of 38 car models were offered at the highest prices in the Eurozone, while another 23 car models were offered at prices 20-39 percent higher compared with the cheapest national market.

In Austria, nine car models were offered at prices 20 percent higher compared with the cheapest Eurozone market, while in Greece, the report said that one in three car models were offered at the lowest prices in the Eurozone. The report included 18 European and eight Japanese car manufacturers with 91 of their most popular models.

Commenting on the report, EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti expressed his satisfaction over progress made in converging car prices in the EU.

[12] Greeks avoid high-risk investments, report says

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

The report, compiled by GfK Market Analysis since 1996, also showed that Greeks, generally, were lagging behind other Europeans in investments.

The report was based on answers by 1,250 men and women, aged 18-64.

Short-term bank deposits, life insurance and stock shares are the most popular investment tools for both West-Europeans and Greeks, although the report noted some differences. Greeks are investing in smaller rates compared with their West European counterparts.

The percentage of Greeks investing in stocks remained at 9-10 percent since spring 2003, reflecting a trend in the Greek bourse, compared with a 16 percent of Europeans and a 50 percent rate in the US.

In Greece, a 49 percent of respondents said they planned to invest less or much less money, while a 36 percent said it would save the same money in the next 12 months and another 15 percent believed they would invest more money in the future. The European rates were 38 percent, 45 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Short-term deposits, life insurance contracts and stocks are expected to record investment increases of 12 percent, 6.0 percent and 3.0 percent, respectively, according to the report.

The report by GfK Market Analysis also said that life insurance contracts would be the likely winners in the future as only 1.0 percent of respondents in the survey said they planned to reduce their life insurance contracts.

Greeks, in the highest education and income levels, are more inclined to invest in stocks and generally to take more risk, while lower income earners prefer short-term bank deposits. Greeks living in Athens are also more risky in their investments compared with the rest of the population.

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in bid to consolidate

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.04 per cent to end at 2,447.16 points. Turnover was 149.4 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.09 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.24 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished flat.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 176 to 117 with 69 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of March 2 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,250 1,221

[14] Papandreou visits Olympic sport facilities at Aghios Kosmas

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after visiting the Olympic sport facilities in Aghios Kosmas, Papandreou stressed that ''the 2004 Games will signal a new era for Greek sport''.

Papandreou was toured around the sports facilities by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Ministers George Lianis and Nasos Alevras, and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) officials, and was greeted by several Greek Olympic medallists.

The Aghios Kosmas facilities include training centers for diving, basketball, weight lifting, boxing and wrestling, along with soccer pitches and track facilities.

[15] Taekwondo federation keeps athletes from Olympic test event

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

''We are sorry that Greek taekwondo athletes will miss out on the unique opportunity to compete under international tournament conditions at the new facilities, thus giving an advantage to the foreign teams for the upcoming Olympic Games,'' Simitsek wrote in his letter to the federation.

''Whatever ELOT's intention may be, Athens 2004 is obligated to proceed with the staging of the sport event, in order to test the competition venues, the technology, and the facilities, so as to ensure excellent preparations for the Olympic Games,'' Simitsek added.

Simitsek gave the federation the chance to change its decision.

[16] Broadcasting rights tender for 2010 and 2012 Olympics

LAUSANNE 3/3/2004 (ANA)

According to the IOC's announcement, it will place invitations for tenders in major European newspapers for the first time.

''The IOC will follow a fair and competitive procedure in selecting the mass media which are capable of serving the ideals and interests of the Olympic Movement, embracing new technologies, and ensuring the broadest televised coverage of the Games possible,'' IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement.

[17] Olympic Games seminar for sponsors' employees

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

During the seminar, Visa International Vice President and International Corporate Relations Manager M. Sherman discussed the importance of sponsors' employees becoming familiar with Olympic Games preparations, venues and the Organizing Committee's management, as well as learning to effectively combine marketing with communications.

Athens 2004 communications executives went over the main points of the Organizing Committee's communication strategy and emphasized the importance of promoting Greece as modern, self-confident and as a country which can offer visitors a lot more than its history.

Attendees were also shown the Main Press Center where sponsors will have their own communications center which will serve as a link between them and the mass media.

[18] PASOK leader visits Evgenidio Foundation

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou announced measures for the electronic linking of all ministries to restrict bureaucracy in relations between the state and citizens and to utilize technology in education and in businesses.

Papandreou said measures will be taken to combat the digital rift with the purpose of having 60 percent of the population utilizing informatics and communications technology by 2008.

In this context, 100,000 low-income families having children in the education sector will be supported to buy an electronic computer and link up with the Internet.

Incentives will also be given for businesses to have old but workable electronic computer systems to be provided for families of low-income working people.

The PASOK leader said electronic democracy will be backed. Meaning the participation of citizens in decision-making procedures through the Internet. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of non-governmental organizations, local societies and volunteer movements.

Papandreou also said incentives will be provided for the utilization of technology by small and medium-size businesses (SMEs) to increase their productivity and competitiveness. Furthermore, over one billion euros will be directed to SMEs either directly or indirectly.

Papandreou was welcomed by the foundation's director, who spoke of its role as a point of contact between technology and man.

[19] St. State Department report: Greece a 'gateway' for drugs to W. Europe

WASHINGTON 3/3/2004 (ANA - A. Ellis)

The chapter on Greece is largely unchanged from that last year, finding that Greece was not a key avenue for drugs going to the United States but a significant route for Europe.

According to Greek authorities, drug use in Greece has continued to rise while the age of drug users is falling and the country has the second-highest death rate from drug overdoses in Europe.

The drug trade continues to be an important issue for Greece in its fight against organized crime. Investigation by both U.S and Greek authorities has shown a dramatic rise in the number drug traders and the size of their operations in Greece, aided by the country's numerous islands and extensive shared borders with countries used as viaducts for drugs, though the country is not a major source of illegal drugs production.

The report says there is close cooperation between Greek and American law enforcement agencies, while the Greek government responds efficiently to U.S. requests for legal support.

It also notes a number of important arrests of drug traders and confiscation of narcotics in 2003, such as a joint operation involving Greek, U.S., British and Spanish authorities in June that led to the break-up of a major maritime smuggling network and the confiscation of the ''MV Cork'' with 3.6 tones of cocaine.

At the same time, it notes that the Greek drug agency does not have its own budget so that its equipment is antiquated and staff training is relatively infrequent.

Greece is used as a route to Western Europe for heroin from Turkey, hashish from the Middle East and heroin and marijuana from Southeast Asia, with tones of marijuana and smaller quantities of other drugs entering the country via Albania, Bulgarian and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the report says.

Greece is also described as ''vulnerable'' to money laundering from the drugs trade, sex trade, the trafficking of women and children and illegal arms trade and other forms of organized crime organizations operating in the CIS and Balkan countries.

[20] Bulgaria - Greece - Cultural Olympiad

SOFIA 3/3/2004 (ANA - B. Borisov)

''The initiative our friend and neighbor Greece has taken to accompany the ultimate international, sporting event with the Cultural Olympiad, enriches the profound meaning of the Olympic Games and is in complete accordance with the Olympic spirit,'' Palieva added.

Prokopios Matzouranis, Greek ambassador to Bulgaria, was very pleased with the great interest Bulgaria's literati, artists, and citizens in general have shown in the Cultural Olympiad, which reinforces friendly relations between Bulgaria and Greece.

The Greek embassy in Bulgaria organized the event with the support of the two countries' culture ministries.

[21] Body of Greek seaman among those collected from 'Bow Mariner' disaster

Athens, 3/3/2004 (ANA)

According to shipping firm Ceres Hellens Shipping that managed the vessel, the body was identified by the six survivors collected from the site.

So far, there has been no trace of another 17 crew members that are still missing, including 52-year-old Greek national Stratos Kavouras, the ship's captain, and first engineer Athanasios Legandis-Eleftherios, also Greek.

The body of dead seaman Spyros Melles will be transported to Greece by the shipping firm that owned the vessel.

The Singapore-flagged tanker, which was carrying 11,000 tones of ethanol, sank in waters some 80 kilometers off the Virginia coast on Saturday after an explosion on board.

[22] Cypriot president says Tuesday's meeting was not productive

NICOSIA 3/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after Tuesday's meeting with Denktash, he said it was not productive at all, even though it was longer than previous encounters.

''Mr Denktash had the chance to repeat his long standing vision about two states, two sovereignties and two different regimes in Cyprus. We responded accordingly,'' President Papadopoulos said, adding that Denktash did not air his views about the positions outlined by the Greek Cypriot side on the territories, now under Turkish occupation, which according to a UN proposal for a settlement would be returned to the Greek Cypriot side.

Responding to questions, he said at Tuesday's meeting one of the issues he raised concerned the stance Denktash has adopted at the talks, adding that ''his attitude essentially undermines the first of the three phases of talks, which I believe is the most important.''

''At this stage of the talks, we should have at least entered into substantive negotiations. We have put forward proposals which are generally regarded as ideas aimed at improving the Annan plan,'' Papadopoulos said.

President Papadopoulos cautioned against discussions at this stage about the possible outcome of the talks, adding that the Greek Cypriot side is not seeking to deprive the Turkish Cypriots of their rights but to render Annan's peace proposal on a comprehensive settlement more functional so that both communities can benefit.

He also said that Alvaro de Soto is neither an arbitrator nor a judge to decide if the plan is acceptable or not. ''This is our job,'' he pointed out.

On estimates about the financial cost of a solution, the Cypriot president said all assessments are based on certain assumptions such as the number of people who would return to their homes, the number of those who will get their properties back and those who will seek compensation.

''All these are not firmly set, the financial fallout of a solution is being considered by a special technical committee, but everything depends on what kind of a solution we will get at the end of the day'' he explained.

He said at Wednesday's meeting the two leaders will discuss issues of what they call as the second group of topics, such as the status of the territories that would be returned to the Greek Cypriot side.

[23] UN senior official: my visit expresses Kofi Annan's interest in Cyprus

LARNACA 3/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on arrival on Tuesday, he said that he would assess the current phase of the talks with Kofi Annan's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and with the leaders of the two sides, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and will then brief Annan.

''I bring the Secretary General's greetings to all Cypriots and his hopes that the current process will produce a settlement which is accepted by the people on both sides after so long,'' Sir Kieran said, adding that the Secretary General has been following the process of the talks extremely closely since the decision taken on February 13, when the two sides decided to resume talks with a view at finding a negotiated settlement by May 1, when Cyprus joins the European Union.

Responding to questions, he said his presence here does not mean the talks are in trouble and explained that after the 13th February agreement it was decided that he would come to Cyprus once or twice before March 21, when the two leaders are meant to reach an agreement.

''First you should see it as a signal of the Secretary General's intensified personal interest in Cyprus, secondly with the talks here being conducted on a daily basis, it is simply not possible for Alvaro to go to New York as he used to do in earlier stages, it was not something that was decided at the last minute,'' Sir Kieran added.

He said this process is very difficult and recalled what de Soto said on February 13, that a settlement is within reach if the parties show the necessary political will.

[24] Cypriot foreign minister says Ankara decides for Turkish Cypriots

LARNACA 3/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Qatar, Iacovou said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash insists on his well-known positions and thus nothing has changed, and expressed reservations as to whether the funds necessary to support a settlement could be found within the next few weeks.

Iacovou said ''decisions on the Cyprus problem are always taken in Ankara and the current phase is no exception.''

Referring to the cost of a settlement and a donors' conference to raise funds, Iacovou said he had ''serious reservations as to whether it is possible to find in the next few weeks, that is before the referenda, such a serious external assistance.''

Asked if any countries had expressed an interest in donating funds, Iacovou said, ''I do not have in mind any possible donor expressing any positions.''

He added that the solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was being discussed and that the Greek Cypriot side ''has views on the issue of compensations, smooth functioning of the economy and public economy issues of the common state, and will express them at the talks.''

Iacovou said Denktash was insisting on his vision for ''two independent, sovereign states,'' noting that this ''vision'' was a ''nightmare for the Greek Cypriot side.''

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