Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece loses 2-1 to Russia in European Soccer Championship match but qualifies for quarterfinals

[02] PM Karamanlis satisfied with new European constitution, says a great day for Europe

[03] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos says government will consolidate social justice and decrease social inequalities

[04] PASOK deputy says 'tolerance for 100-day government lacking program can only have expiry date'

[05] President Stephanopoulos holds talks with outgoing Austrian President Thomas Klestil

[06] President Stephanopoulos attends event marking establishment of Greek school in Vienna

[07] New metropolitan of Eleftheroupoli enthroned

[08] Finance Minister Alogoskoufis announces three-year fiscal program

[09] Torch Relay gets a 'Big Apple' welcome in NYC, heads for Montreal on Sunday

[10] New York mayor organizes event for Olympic Games torchbearers

[11] Montreal mayor welcomes Olympic Torch

[12] 'Human dominoes effect' highlights 2004 Games, volunteerism

[13] Small group of illegals, Turk migrant smugglers arrested off Lesvos

[14] Police dismantle human trafficking ring in Athens

[15] Parliament President Benaki issues message on occasion of World Music Day

[16] Cyprus President satisfied with EU constitution

[01] Greece loses 2-1 to Russia in European Soccer Championship match but qualifies for quarterfinals

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Dimitry Kirichenko 2 and Dimitry Bulykin 17 scored for Russia and Zisis Vryzas 43 for Greece.

Portugal beat Spain 1-0 in the other Group a match played on Sunday and ended in first place and also qualified for the quarterfinals. Spain ended third in the group and Russia fourth.

It is Greece's first such achievement in an international tournament since the 1980 European Championship when it was in the top eight national teams.

[02] PM Karamanlis satisfied with new European constitution, says a great day for Europe

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Referring to the second issue examined during the European Union's summit in Brussels, that of the European Commission's new president, Karamanlis said the Irish EU presidency spent limited time on the issue on Friday night and when it realized there was little hope of finding a compromise solution it ended the summit without specifying when it will be reconvened to address the issue.

He further said on the question of the new European Commission president that it was logical that the European People's Party (EPP), which emerged as the strongest force in the recent Euroelections, to want to have an important and considerable role in the issue.

Karamanlis said he expressed this position in all contacts and discussions which took place in the Belgian capital over the past two days, adding that the issue of a vote was never raised during the summit since the EU never appeared to be approaching mutually acceptable solutions.

Continuing his comments on the issue, the prime minister said there are many capable personalities in the EPP who could become the European Commission's president.

Asked whether Europe of the "25" differs from the old Europe, Karamanlis said this is true, but this was also the desire of the EU.

He also predicted that it was reasonable that the new member-states would pass from the stage of gradual adjustment to established EU practice and this already appears to be happening with the adoption of the European constitution by the Brussels summit.

Also asked whether, following the adoption of the European constitution, the issue will again be raised of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis being elected to one of the EU's senior posts, Karamanlis let it be understood that if the issue of the former prime minister's candidacy was raised then Greece would clearly be supporting the candidacy.

Lastly, on the question of whether he is satisfied by the fact that a series of EU decisions will continue to be adopted with unanimity, Karamanlis said the dominant view in united Europe for many years is that compromise solutions must be sought and the use of a veto must be avoided.

"Life itself has proved this," he concluded.

PASOK party terms constitutional treaty agreement 'positive step for deepening and integration of EU': The main opposition PASOK party, in an announcement on Saturday concerning the outcome of the European Union's summit in Brussels, praised the agreement reached on the constitutional treaty as a positive step for the deepening and integration of the European Union.

"PASOK believes the agreement on the constitutional treaty reached yesterday (on Friday) by the leaders of the 25, in Brussels, constitutes a positive step for the deepening and integration of the European Union," the announcement said.

However, it adds that "many steps are still necessary and a common political will to enable an independent Europe to be created. One with a strong social dimension, cohesion and solidarity which will promote the European citizen and his rights at the centre of common policies."

The announcement further said "the PASOK government and George A. Papandreou, as foreign minister, all through the years and during the Greek (EU) Presidency, contributed with ideas and initiatives, particularly in the sector of social policy, to the shaping of the draft constitutional treaty which was approved by the leaders of the European Union at the European Council in Thessaloniki. We achieved arrangements on a series of issues such as for our islands, tourism, mutual military assistance and the clause on a social Europe. This was a strong negotiating achievement in a desirable result for Greek interests. For this reason certain changes made in the agreement's final text concerning crucial issues of the country create skepticism."

The announcement further stressed that "we are expecting an analytical briefing from the government and relevant ministers on the final outcome of negotiating so that the content and significance of the clauses of the new constitution can be fully evaluated by the political forces and the Greek people."

Communist Party says European constitution 'noose round neck of European peoples': The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), in an announcement on Saturday, termed the European constitution agreed at the European Union's summit in Brussels on Friday night, a "noose round the neck of European peoples" and a "higher institutional shielding of the dictatorship of the European plutocracy."

The announcement further said the European constitution includes all of the EU's previous agreements consolidating the freedom of capital and the overturning of the achievements of the working class and adopts the American military doctrine of a "pre-emptive strike" against a country or countries with the pretext of combatting terrorism.

"The leaders of member-states promoted at the summit the strengthening and creation of new suppressive apparatuses. The EU summit showed that the imperialists are united when they are going to attack peoples, while their disagreements only concern who will have the upper hand in distributing the loot. The Greek government is continuing the tradition of the previous PASOK one. It can pretend no more. The masks have fallen," the announcement added.

Coalition of the Left says European constitution binds EU to framework of NATO and American imperial policy: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology, in an announcement on Saturday referring to the new European constitution agreed during the European Union's summit in Brussels on Friday night, denounced it as binding the EU to the framework of NATO and American imperial policy.

"The Coalition rejects the draft European constitution shaped because it enacts the principles of neo-liberalism as being permanent, it does not consolidate individual and social rights and the freedoms of citizens and binds the EU to the framework of NATO and of American imperial policy," the announcement said.

According to the Coalition, further grants and concessions were made for Euroatlantism in final arrangements contained in the text of the constitutional treaty, while discussions on the European Commission's new president moved in the same direction.

[03] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos says government will consolidate social justice and decrease social inequalities

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos further said "the bad state of the economy can be handled to a great degree, something which was not done by previous governments, by curbing irrational expenditures and by tidying up the state. I shall tell you a characteristic example:-When I shall be giving an account in a few days' time of our expenditures for the Euroelections, we shall compare what PASOK spent when in power for the March 7 elections with what we have spent."

[04] PASOK deputy says 'tolerance for 100-day government lacking program can only have expiry date'

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

"One hundred days without a program can only be a phenomenon of concern for the country. Tolerance for it can only have an expiry date equal to that of the grace period," she said.

Diamantopoulou said that during the new government's 100 days in power there has been a strategy of opening to the Left, the Church and to social partners on the part of the ruling New Democracy party, as well as a clear and general use of "social vocabulary."

She also pondered "what are the basic principles of the new government's foreign policy doctrine? After many years, we are lacking a compass and a target in foreign policy."

Diamantopoulou also referred to the government's economic policy, speaking of "ideological confusion between statism and free market operation."

[05] President Stephanopoulos holds talks with outgoing Austrian President Thomas Klestil

VIENNA 21/4/2004 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

Earlier, President Stephanopoulos had attended a ceremony during which President Klestil awarded Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos with the supreme decoration of the Republic of Austria. Vartholomeos is currently on a seven-day official visit to Austria which began last Wednesday.

President Stephanopoulos will attend a church service to be officiated by Vartholomeos at the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral on Sunday, with whom he will be visiting the Cathedral of Saint George later on before leaving at noon on Sunday for an official visit to Azerbaijan.

[06] President Stephanopoulos attends event marking establishment of Greek school in Vienna

VIENNA 21/4/2004 (ANA / D.Dimitrakoudis)

President Stephanopoulos attended a church service at the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Church in Vienna on Sunday morning, officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos. He also visited the Church of Saint George where he was given a guided tour of the premises.

The president was due to leave for Baku, Azerbaijan, at noon on Sunday where he will be making an official visit as of Sunday night.

[07] New metropolitan of Eleftheroupoli enthroned

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Thousands of people gave the new metropolitan a warm welcome, while Kavala Prefect Theodoros Kalliontzis met him at the bridge spanning the Strymonas river and accompanied him to the town of Eleftheroupoli.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos also spoke with words of praise for the town's new metropolitan.

[08] Finance Minister Alogoskoufis announces three-year fiscal program

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

This will be done with a tight budget, the settlement of tax cases concerning the 1999-2002 period and a "bold" denationalization program to enable the government to handle commitments it will undertake to decrease the public debt, which is expected to soar at the end of an inventory to be carried out on state finances by the statistics service and the finance ministry.

"On July 5 the ECOFIN Council will have a discussion on the Greek economy. The spirit at the council of ministers is good. I will not hide from you that at technocrat level anger exists on the image and the problematic nature of Greek data," he said.

"It is true that the situation is much worse than what we expected and we haven't seen everything. The is an issue with the defense debt, with hospital debts and with guarantees which are in default. I believe that the public debt will be higher by 5-6 percentage points and will probably increase from 103 percent of GDP today to 108-109 percent," he added.

However, he added that a positive aspect is that the three-year economic program will be facilitated by the fact that Greece will not be burdened any more by expenditures for the Olympic Games.

[09] Torch Relay gets a 'Big Apple' welcome in NYC, heads for Montreal on Sunday

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at the opening ceremony in the presence of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Greek Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, many celebrities as well as hundreds of Greek-Americans, the ATHOC chief stressed the uniqueness of the Athens Olympic Games, as "men and women athletes will compete in the 3,000-year-old Olympic Stadium, where the Games began; at the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the Games were revived in 1896, and in the shadow of the Parthenon, beneath the Acropolis".

The ATHOC President also underlined the "close relationship Greece and the United States have always enjoyed, which one feels in Athens Park and on the streets of Astoria, and which was boosted by the hospitality extended to American athletes by Athenians at the 1896 Games."

Regarding the crucial issue of security, she that "it remains our top priority as we have devoted more funds and planning, in Greece, than any other Organizing Committee and host country of previous Olympic Games".

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki also thanked New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his help in organizing the Olympic Torch Relay in the city's streets, and in New York's contribution to the success of the Athens Games.

Seventeen stops were scheduled in New York City, highlighting the city's historical or cultural monuments, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Yankee Stadium, Rockefeller Center, the UN building and the Greek consulate. It also passed in front of Ground Zero where the Twin Towers stood.

On Sunday, the Torch Relay was headed to Montreal, the city that hosted the Olympic in 1976, where it will be received by Mayor Gerald Tramplay in a special ceremony outside the Olympic stadium that is expected to attract a good number of the Quebec city's Greek expatriates. Several stops at the city's main parks are planned, before the Torch Relay concludes at the Cirque de Soleil.

[10] New York mayor organizes event for Olympic Games torchbearers

NEW YORK 21/4/2004 (ANA)

The event was also attended by well-known political, sports, business and journalistic personalities from New York.

Welcoming the torchbearers, Bloomberg stressed the significance of the first global torch relay, terming it a "divine experience" and adding that he is confident the Athens Olympic Games will prove to be among the "best Games ever to be hosted since their establishment."

Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said on her part "the Flame conveys the message of peace, democracy and solidarity", while also speaking of the tragic events on September 11, 2001, and stressing the common struggle for human values.

[11] Montreal mayor welcomes Olympic Torch

OTTAWA 21/4/2004 (ANA/I.Frangouli)

The mayor spoke of the symbolism of the repatriation of the Olympic Games to Athens, as well as of the city of Montreal which embraces all peoples and nationalities.

Trablet handed the Torch to the first torchbearer, George Adamopoulos, an expatriate Greek with special needs. The ceremony was attended by Greek Ambassador to Montreal G. Mourikis, the municipality's Vice President Michel Prescott, 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee member Lambridis and other dignitaries.

[12] 'Human dominoes effect' highlights 2004 Games, volunteerism

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

The long queue of "falling scouts" commenced at the Acropolis and ended at the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, a few blocks away. The event was part of efforts by the local Boys Scouts and Girl Guides to showcase the upcoming "Olympic Homecoming", namely, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games as well as volunteerism for the Games.

Both organizations are actively involved in volunteer programs for the 2004 Games.

[13] Small group of illegals, Turk migrant smugglers arrested off Lesvos

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

According to authorities, the five set off from the opposite Turkish coast, while two out of the five suspects are believed to be Turkish migrant smugglers.

All five are expected to be led before a local prosecutor.

[14] Police dismantle human trafficking ring in Athens

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

Police stormed an apartment in the Athens district of Kallithea, used as an office for arranging meetings between couples and equipped with a steel door, and arrested two Greek women who worked as telephonists.

Another Greek man was arrested shortly after, believed to be the ring's mastermind, while two others are being sought.

Police confiscated 25 mobile phones, considerable amounts of money in euros and dollars, a jeep, two central electronic computer units and two portable computers.

The ring had used newspaper advertisements in exploiting the women and its activities produced large sums of money. It is noteworthy that in one computer alone, and according to an initial assessment, about 77,000 telephone numbers belonging to customers were found to be registered.

The persons arrested were brought before a public prosecutor to be charged with human trafficking, organized crime, procuring, money-laundering and violating the law on the protection of personal data.

[15] Parliament President Benaki issues message on occasion of World Music Day

Athens, 21/4/2004 (ANA)

[16] Cyprus President satisfied with EU constitution

NICOSIA 21/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his return from the EU summit in Brussels, President Papadopoulos said he wished to see experts scrutinize provisions of a UN solution plan for Cyprus to establish whether they are consistent with the EU constitution.

On prospects for a political settlement in Cyprus, he said that at present there is no room and no prospect to begin a new process to find a negotiated settlement.

"Overall we are very pleased with the text of the Convention for the Constitution of Europe, as this has been adopted by the member states," Papadopoulos said, adding that the new treaty incorporates past conventions in simple language, aiming at bringing it closer to the people.

Responding to questions, he said "it is very important to note the provision that the constitutions of all 25 EU countries should be adjusted to the European Constitution."

"We would like to have experts examine whether the proposed UN solution plan (the Annan plan) is in line with the EU Constitution, this is a matter that concerns the Union as well," he added.

On possible EU initiatives with regard to the question of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said neither he nor EU Commission Gunter Verheugen believed that there was any room or any prospect at this stage to begin a fresh attempt to find a settlement.

"However, it is understood that the problem of Cyprus should concern Europe too," he added.

Replying to questions about the possibility of direct commercial (air and sea) links between the island's northern Turkish occupied areas and the outside world, he replied "I can assure you that without our consent, it would be very difficult to see ports and airports in occupied Cyprus operate legally."

On efforts at the UN Security Council to have the Annan plan adopted, he said some countries would like to secure a resolution endorsing the plan and Kofi Annan's latest report on Cyprus and see to it that bilateral links are established with the occupied northern part of the Republic.

"I believe that there are good prospects that such an attempt will not materialize," he said, adding that two Council members have expressed reservations with regard to the adoption of the Annan report by the Council.

Greek Cypriots rejected by an overwhelming majority in a referendum in April the Annan plan which the Turkish Cypriots approved. The Kofi Annan report, issued after the referendum, was highly critical of the Greek Cypriot side.

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