Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Head of State honors and memorial service for the late Patriarch Petros of Alexandria

[02] DM calls for enquiry on delivery of crashed Chinook helicopter

[03] New air force chief installed on Wednesday

[04] Coalition party leader says ND and PASOK parties are politically identical

[05] SAE President meets with Greek officials, extends his stay in Athens

[06] FM Molyviatis hosts farewell luncheon in honor of departing Turkish Ambassador Alpogan

[07] National Bank analysts believe Greek economy's growth prospects remain positive

[08] Prompt action needed to translate Olympics success into benefits for tourism, ITEP research institute warns

[09] GSEE 'dynamically opposes any effort to overturn the present social insurance system'

[10] Greece to launch worldwide promotion campaign of its product and services

[11] National Bank needs restructuring to maintain its leadership, governor says

[12] Industry calls for further pension system reforms within government's term

[13] Agricultural Development Minister meets with US agricultural counselor

[14] Index up 0.71 points on new capital inflows

[15] IPC chief confident 2004 Games momentum will continue with this week's Paralympics

[16] Special measures to facilitate public transport access for people with disabilities

[17] KEDKE rallies support for the Olympic Truce

[18] First handicapped-accessible beach inaugurated on Wednesday

[19] Organization for the disabled demands more attention for those with mobility problems

[20] Eurostat issues data on poverty in

[21] Lack of consensus on EU regulations due to Britain, Cyprus Euro MP says

[22] Congressman introduces bill for US-owned property in occupied Cyprus

[01] Head of State honors and memorial service for the late Patriarch Petros of Alexandria

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Patriarch Petros VII, his clerical and lay entourage and a 5-member crew were killed on Saturday when a military Chinook helicopter transporting them from Athens to the Mt. Athos all-male monastic community crashed into the sea as it approached Mt. Athos.

A memorial service was held Wednesday morning at Athens' metropolitan cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece and the entire Holy Synod, and attended by President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Costas Karamanlis, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, ministers and MPs.

Army detachments delivered full military honors, as a gun carriage transported the coffin to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos international airport for the flight to Cairo.

Archbishop Christodoulos hailed the Patriarch's personality and his efforts to realize his visions for Orthodoxy and Hellenism in Africa, while the void his death left behind was stressed by deputy foreign minister Panayotis Skandalakis and Synod members.

The Patriarch's funeral will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the St. George monastery in old Cairo, to be attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and the prelates of all the eastern Orthodox churches.

An Olympic Airlines flight departed for Cairo soon after the memorial service, carrying Stephanopoulos, education and religious affairs minister Marietta Yiannakou, Skandalakis, Christodoulos and others, who attended the funeral.

The Holy Synod of the Alexandria Patriarchate is due to convene on Monday set in motion the process of electing a new Patriarch.

Meanwhile, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), in a resolution, expressed its fervent condolences to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the families of those killed in the Chinook crash.

The resolution also stated that the SAE would be represented at the funeral and also, in lieu of a funeral wreath, would donate the sum of 25,000 euro for special programs that will further the Patriarchate's work in Africa.

[02] DM calls for enquiry on delivery of crashed Chinook helicopter

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Spiliotopoulos ordered the clarification of the following points in 10 days' time:

a. Why the Chinook helicopter had been delivered in December 2001, despite the fact that strong vibrations had been ascertained during speeds exceeding 120 knots.

b. How the problem in question had been solved and what action had been taken, following information provided by the manufacturing company in January 2003 that the wings of this specific type of Chinook helicopter belonged to a consignment having construction deficiencies.

c. Why, in December 2003, the relevant service had agreed to a prolongation of the time of inspection of the same Chinook's wings from 300 hours to 320 on the part of the manufacturing company.

d. Why hadn't its wings been replaced, despite the existence of repeated technical problems ascertained in them?

e. Had problems appeared after its general inspection, concerning the 320- hour period in January 2004, by the manufacturing company.

Spiliotopoulos also ordered that any other enquiry considered necessary to clarify the above points must be carried out.

In another development, defense ministry sources place responsibility on the main opposition PASOK party for turning the air force into a hotbed for its party cadres, when it was in power, and reiterated that the responsibilities of the removed former Air Force General Staff chief Panagiotis Papanikolaou were specific and had been ascertained.

The sources pointed out that four senior air force officers, Nikos Kouris, Dimitris Apostolakis, Athanassios Tzoganis and Dimitris Lytzerakos, had either served as deputy ministers or Parliamentary deputies of the main opposition party.

Largest section of Chinook helicopter's fuselage located: According to press reports on Wednesday, the ocean research vessel "Aigeo" located the largest section of the fuselage of the ill-fated Chinook helicopter southwest of Mount Athos, eight miles from Sithonia at a depth of 866 meters.

The Chinook helicopter crashed near Mount Athos on Saturday killing all 17 people on board which included Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros VII, his entourage and the crew.

Gov't dismisses rumor that PM was alerted to Chinook accident earlier than stated: The government on Wednesday dismissed reports that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had learned of Saturday's fatal helicopter crash, in which Alexandria Patriarch Petros VII and another 16 people lost their lives, earlier than officially stated.

According to the reports, Karamanlis was informed early on about the accident by the deputy governor of the Civil Aviation Authority in Thessaloniki, Dimitris Stamatis.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos described the claims as "rumor-mongering" based on a "groundless and fanciful scenario" and referred reporters to the statements on the issue made by Stamatis himself.

Roussopoulos also denied that the government was reconsidering the removal of National Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, whose offer to resign was refused by Karamanlis shortly after Saturday's accident.

Responding to questions about a report on the accident made by the deputy governor of the semi-autonomous monastic community on Mount Athos, Aristos Kasmiroglou, Roussopoulos explained that the report had been classified as top secret by its author and could only be made public once it had been declassified by the foreign ministry.

He also noted that, according to the briefing he had received from the foreign ministry, the Kasmiroglou report did not refer to the particular time sequences that had found their way into media reports.

The spokesman said that the investigation to establish the sequence of events would soon be concluded, while an investigation into the actual causes of the accident will be completed later.

Responding to questions about who was responsible for the accident, Roussopoulos reiterated that the investigation had so far assigned a portion of blame to the Air force general staff because mechanisms within the air force had failed to respond properly.

He claimed that coordination and reaction to the accident was very quick once the government was informed.

Roussopoulos also clarified that balance problems experienced in flight by Embraer aircraft owned by the Greek Armed Forces had been corrected and that a widespread inspection of Armed Forces equipment will now take place to ascertain its safety.

The VIP Chinook helicopter flight crashed on Saturday morning while approaching the Mount Athos peninsula to land. There were 17 people on board at the time of the accident, including Patriarch Petros and his entourage, who were due to pay a visit to the monastic community on Mount Athos, and a five-member crew. Ongoing search operations have so far retrieved nine dead bodies, including that of the Patriarch, and no survivors.

PASOK deputies seek answers from PM on Chinook helicopter crash: Fifteen deputies of the main opposition PASOK party on Wednesday submitted a question to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis concerning the crash of the Chinook helicopter near Mount Athos on Saturday which resulted in the death of all 17 people on board.

The question, signed among others by Lasithi, Crete deputy M. Karhimakis and former national defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, notes that "the delay in the timely briefing and immediate intervention of the politicians and military officers responsible has provoked the Greek people."

The PASOK deputies question Karamanlis why the resignation was asked of the Chief of the Air Force General Staff and not of the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff given that the Army has the operational responsibility of the Chinook helicopters.

[03] New air force chief installed on Wednesday

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Lt.-Gen. Papanikolaou was asked to resign over the weekend in the wake of a military helicopter crash in northern Greece that left 17 people dead, including the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros.

In his farewell address at the base, where the Greek flag and the air force cadet school flag flew at half-mast in a sign of mourning for the death of the Alexandria Patriarch, Papanikolaou referred to his 2.5-year term as air force chief and stressed the very low accident rate during that time.

His replacement, who was named during a Monday meeting of the government council for Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA), was previously the commander of aviation training.

Avlonitis said that the Greek air force will make full use of the expensive high-technology equipment it has acquired and upgrade its control systems.

[04] Coalition party leader says ND and PASOK parties are politically identical

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Referring to the issue of the election of a new President of the Republic next spring, Constantopoulos said the issue is untimely, expressing support for a consensual solution to the question and stressing that the country is faced with many major problems to be led to national elections in such a brief period of time (the last general elections in the country were held in March this year).

The tragic accident involving the Chinook helicopter carrying the Patriarch of Alexandria Petros was also commented on by the Coalition party leader, who said the government has political responsibilities and added that the confrontation breaking out between the government and the main opposition party was comical.

Commenting as well on the presentation of economic policy by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Thessaloniki over the weekend, Constantopoulos said the prime minister described the situation as tragic as an excuse to postpone the implementation of his election pledges.

[05] SAE President meets with Greek officials, extends his stay in Athens

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

The SAE Board decided to donate the amount of � 10,000 in honor of the deceased, in support of the very significant work of the Patriarchate and its missions in Africa.

During his stay in Athens, the SAE President met with Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki on Tuesday, who he informed of SAE's medical program in countries of the former Soviet Union and in Albania.

Athens also met with Georgios Sourlas, one of the Parliament Vice Presidents, and discussed utilizing MPs of Greek origin around the world through the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism (PADEE) and SAE.

Finally, Athens also met with Ioanna Despotopoulou, General Secretary of Social Solidarity of the Health Ministry, who will try to address the needs of the SAE medical program.

[06] FM Molyviatis hosts farewell luncheon in honor of departing Turkish Ambassador Alpogan

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

[07] National Bank analysts believe Greek economy's growth prospects remain positive

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

The Greek economy continued to grow at a rate near 4.0 percent in the first half of 2004, fuelled mainly by strong private consumption, a buoyant shipping sector and the completion of the final preparations for the Olympic Games, the National Bank of Greece said in the report. The National Bank analysts believe the possibility of the further improvement of the Greek economy's growth prospects will depend on progress in the sector of structural changes, including the reshaping of the tax system, a decrease in the labor market's inflexibility, the taking of measures to boost enterprise and the promotion of new privatizations.

In its Economic and Market Analysis bulletin, issued by the strategic planning and research department, Greece's largest bank said that the shipping sector was taking advantage of the booming international commodities trade and the concomitant rise in freight charges, adding nearly 1.0 percentage point to activity in 2004 -an impressive boost that is unlikely to be repeated in 2005.

Tourism, on the other hand, appears to have failed to live up to expectations, albeit high, in this Olympic year, as the sector was extremely vulnerable to competition from neighboring countries and increased uncertainty internationally. Next year it should be better, the report said.

Growth is likely to slow to 3 - 3-1/2 percent in 2005 as the period of strong construction spending is coming to an end, both residential as well as public works, and the fiscal position tightens to meet the ceiling of the Stability and Growth Pact. Sizeable increases in real deposit income, with wage increases of around 3-1/2 percent in real terms, and rising household borrowing will continue to maintain private consumption in 2005, as it happened in 2004, the report said.

Investment growth is expected to remain broadly flat during 2005, with business investment and projects financed by EU structural funds -more than 19 billion euros being in the pipeline until 2007- partly offsetting the decline due to the end of the Olympic Games. Core inflation will remain near 3.5 percent due to strong domestic demand, high unit labor costs and second round effects from oil price hikes.

Progress on the implementation of structural reforms and large infrastructure projects will determine the ability of the economy to maintain a high growth rate, the report added.

[08] Prompt action needed to translate Olympics success into benefits for tourism, ITEP research institute warns

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

According to ITEP, global international tourism is expected to grow 4 per cent by 2010 and 4.5 per cent in the following decade until 2020. It said the Greek tourist industry could match these growth rates and even better them if the right economic policy were followed, with the same positive course for foreign exchange revenues from tourism.

It stressed the need for prompt and effective promotion of Greece's tourism product along three main lines: the traditional 'sea and sun' tourism, city-centered tourism for older age groups and marine tourism requiring special facilities, as well as activities like conference tourism. It said advertising campaigns should target the large expatriate communities overseas and the populous and economically rising countries of central and eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.

[09] GSEE 'dynamically opposes any effort to overturn the present social insurance system'

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

In an announcement in reply to statements made on Wednesday by Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos and on the positions of the International Monetary Fund report, GSEE said there was "a planned and cultivated climate to overturn the present social insurance system."

The GSEE trade unionists referred to the recent meeting they had with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and declare that "there was an outright commitment that the New Democracy (ND) government would fully respect the existing legal framework and would support economically the system in accordance with the existing law."

The trade unionists claim that this does not satisfy SEB which by using the recent IMF report, "is attempting to again create an issue of unfavorable for the working people changes to the social insurance system."

GSEE calls on the employers "to abandon these directions and submit to the funds and in particular to the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA) the hundreds of millions of the contributions."

[10] Greece to launch worldwide promotion campaign of its product and services

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Drosos is currently visiting Australia for the International Food and Beverage Fair held in Melbourne.

Speaking to reporters, Drosos said the Organization's efforts to promote Greece was focusing on the country's traditional products, gastronomy, Mediterranean food, culture and tourism and added that the coordinated Greek promotion campaign would focus in Australia.

"After the successful Olympic Games in Athens and the country's positive image abroad, the Greek government under Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis begins a coordinate effort to upgrade the country's trade relations with the rest of the world," Drosos, a former executive at Alpha Bank said.

He stressed that the plan aimed to boost export of goods and services and to attract more tourists and added that this new effort was drastically different from any other in the past, since it included all state, diplomatic and private bodies.

"We begin a worldwide promotion campaign of Greece and its product and services under a single program and strategy," Drosos said.

[11] National Bank needs restructuring to maintain its leadership, governor says

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

In an interview with the daily "Kathimerini" National Bank's governor said the bank needed fundamental restructuring in three sectors: the first, a restructuring of the Group with the sale of equity holdings in companies outside the financial sector, the second, a closer cooperation of subsidiaries with the bank to ensure synergies, and the third, the bank's labor framework and its high cost. Arapoglou stressed that a program envisaging a voluntary exit of staff would achieve in limiting cost and renew the bank's human workforce.

National Bank also plans to install a new MIS system aimed to make a more efficient evaluation of revenues and profitability of each unit.

Arapoglou said that the bank has lost some ground to competition in sectors such as loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises but stressed that this development was the result of a restructuring of the bank's portfolio by the previous management. He urged for a strengthening of National Bank's position abroad and said that the bank was examining expansion prospects in Russia and Turkey.

[12] Industry calls for further pension system reforms within government's term

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

"The government has chosen not to deal with the social insurance issue, at least in the first phase, but I do not think that it can avoid doing so over its four-year term," Kyriakopoulos said in a press conference.

SEB considers the problem to be real and serious, while the longer a solution is delayed the more painful the measures that will ultimately have to be taken, Kyriakopoulos added.

He called for the immediate start of dialogue to determine the size of the problem and social insurance fund deficits over time, without proposing solutions that trigger conflict over the size of contributions, pensionable age and size of pensions. SEB's leader also noted that past attempts to pension reform had failed, stressing that the problem could not be solved without social consensus.

SEB's president also reiterated the industry group's demand for greater flexibility in labor relations and the job market, saying that it would soon be begin dialogue with the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) in the framework of the collective agreement signed earlier this year.

Kyriakopoulos said that the economic policies announced by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at the Thessaloniki International Fair over the weekend were largely what the business community had hoped for but the first hands-on proof would come with the 2005 budget and how this handled the budget deficit, public spending and revenues.

With the respect to the Olympics, meanwhile, SEB's president said that they had "surpassed all our expectations with their flawless execution" and that they were a "great investment that had repositioned Greece on the map" even though they had cost a great deal more than they should have. He stressed, however, that immediate action was needed to convert the success of the Olympics into permanent benefits for the Greek economy, especially with regard to the use of Olympic facilities and stadiums.

Kyriakopoulos expressed SEB's opposition to the prospect of early general elections in 2005, when the term of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos comes to an end and a new president must be elected by Parliament, saying that anything that curbed the speed and boldness of decision-making was not good.

[13] Agricultural Development Minister meets with US agricultural counselor

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Tsitouridis and Wiggin discussed developments related to international trade as well as agricultural issues that concern both countries.

[14] Index up 0.71 points on new capital inflows

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

Most interest was focused on Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) stock, which gained 2.21 points on being upgraded by Goldman Sachs, and the Germanos group, which went up 2.29 points after announcing its expansion into the Uzbekistan mobile phone market.

The Athens general share index closed at 2,343.80 points, up 0.71 per cent in the day. Turnover was 115.3 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares closed 0.74 percent higher; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks gained 0.46 percent; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.26 percent up.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 127 to 125 with 96 remaining unchanged.

[15] IPC chief confident 2004 Games momentum will continue with this week's Paralympics

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

IPC chief Phil Craven said he believes that Greece and Athens definitely want to "continue the sports festival" begun last month.

Speaking after the conclusion of the IPC's executive committee meeting at a downtown Athens hotel, Craven also downplayed worries of slumping ticket sales for the Athens Paralympics.

"Tickets sales were slow, but they're picking up, it was the same with the Olympics (a month ago)," he said, adding that total sales so far stand at around 300,000, with Athens organizers (ATHOC) pointing to a target of 500,000. Moreover, he said demand was exceedingly high for certain high-profile sports, such as swimming.

Asked about the effect the 2004 Paralympics have had on improving accessibility in the often congested and densely populated Greek capital, Craven said progress was evident, although it would be absolutely unattainable to expect Athens to become "barrier-free" in only three years "after 3,000 years of usage".

"(Local) People will perceive what is needed, such as not parking cars in front of (sidewalk) ramps ... in 10 years' time you will see a significant difference," the British IPC president added.

He cited a brand new system to transport people with disabilities up the Acropolis' steep steps in central Athens and a very responsive attitude by organizers in terms of venues' accessibility as positive points.

Finally, commenting on the doping specter plaguing international sports of late -- as evidenced by last month's Olympic Games -- Craven reiterated that the IPC also holds a "no tolerance" attitude vis-a-vis prohibited substances. He singled out the sport of power lifting, which has recorded the lion's share of doping incidents in past Paralympics, saying that if more violations arise in Athens then "we have to give close consideration to the situation."

Meanwhile, representatives from the Rio 2007 "Para-Pan-American Games" were also on hand, only a few hours after briefing the IPC on preparations for the first-ever Pan-American tournament involving athletes with a disability -- a presentation IPC officials said was excellent.

130 nat'l Paralympic teams already in Athens: 2004 Paralympics organizers on Wednesday said 130 national delegations have arrived in Athens and are being hosted at the Paralympic Village, whereas the number of teams is expected to reach 140, after two countries officially dropped out.

Uzbekistan and Burkina Faso announced this week that they will not send Paralympic athletes to Athens. National Paralympic Committees in Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Myanmar, Vanuatu and Lebanon were previous dropouts from the Games, which begin on Friday.

Another nine teams, nevertheless, are still expected to arrive in Athens for Games.

The current total of 130 national Paralympic teams is still seven better than Sydney s 123 Paralympic national teams of 2000.

German president to arrive in Athens for Paralympics: German President H�rst K�hler and his wife, Eva Luise K�hler, are scheduled to arrive in Athens over the coming weekend in order to attend the opening of the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

Germany's first couple will attend the opening ceremony as well as several of the competition events. They will also visit the Paralympic Village, among others.

Official contacts include a meeting with Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis and the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Phil Craven.

[16] Special measures to facilitate public transport access for people with disabilities

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

According to the minister, the measures will be implemented in order to make urban transport friendlier towards those with disabilities and to ensure their convenient and comfortable transportation to and from the Olympic sports venues.

Specifically, buses accessible to people with disabilities will be used in eight Olympic bus routes that will run every 30 minutes.

The metro, the ISAP trains, the suburban rail and the tram are specially-designed for people with disabilities.

For the Olympic Center in Markopoulo which is not serviced by public transport, the ministry has arranged for special vans to run from the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" 90 minutes before the start of events and will depart 60 minutes after the events finish.

Those wishing to learn more about getting around Athens during the Paralympics can call 185 24 hours a day for assistance. Operators speak five languages.

[17] KEDKE rallies support for the Olympic Truce

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

KEDKE's leadership will deliver the signatures to the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos during a meeting scheduled for Thursday.

KEDKE emphasizes that the gathering of support which began about 18 months ago ahead of the Athens Olympics, will continue in order to convince world leaders, governments and international organizations to respect and observe the Olympic Truce after the Olympic Games as well.

The signatures gathered so far will also be distributed to the country's political parties, the UN, NATO and the International Olympic Truce Foundation during the next few days.

[18] First handicapped-accessible beach inaugurated on Wednesday

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

The beach will be open to the public. Visitors' donations will be used towards improving the facilities.

"Until a few months ago, the small PIKPA beach in Voula was nothing more than a dumping ground, part of the more general picture of the neglected PIKPA complex. Since May, when the Prime Minister announced the program and within a few months, the area was transformed into a 'jewel' on the coast, a recreational oasis for Greeks and visitors with disabilities," Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said.

Minister of Health and Social Services Nikitas Kaklamanis, Deputy Ministers Liaskos and Constantopoulos, President of the Hellenic Red Cross, regional authority officials were among those present at the inauguration, while the prime minister's wife Natassa Karamanlis also attended.

[19] Organization for the disabled demands more attention for those with mobility problems

Athens, 16/9/2004 (ANA)

On occasion of the Athens Paralympic Games, SEAN and representatives of sports societies for those with disabilities emphasized that they "support true athletic effort within the context of fair play among athletes competing in the Paralympics." They called on the athletes to not allow themselves to be used as a cover-up to the huge problems they and their colleagues experience on a daily basis.

Members of SEAN and the other sports representatives said that the Paralympics, like the Olympics, constitute profitable operations of multinational companies. They emphasized that every individual has a right to sports, while for those with disabilities sports are a prerequisite for an energetic way of life and for limiting the problems caused by disability. For those with disabilities, sports educate and empower, reinforcing their faith in people and in equal rights.

SEAN and sports representatives demanded access to sports for all those who are disabled provided through the public school system and the community, as well as use of sports facilities after the Paralympics, free of charge. They also called for in-depth investigation into the finances of those managing funds for the Paralympics and measures against doping which has begun making an appearance among athletes with disabilities as well.

[20] Eurostat issues data on poverty in

EU BRUSSELS 16/9/2004 (ANA - V. Demiris)

As regards data concerning 2001, 20 percent of Greeks and 15 percent of European citizens in the 15-nation EU are on the verge of poverty, meaning their income is less than 60 percent of average national income.

Those threatened most by poverty in the EU are 21 percent of the Irish, 20 of Portuguese and Greeks and 19 of Italians and Spaniards, while those in less danger are the Swedes with nine percent and the Danes with 10.

Eurostat said the Irish, Greeks, Spaniards and Italians threatened with poverty appear to be particularly poor since 70 percent of them have an income nearing 50 percent of average national income.

[21] Lack of consensus on EU regulations due to Britain, Cyprus Euro MP says

BRUSSELS 16/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The Cyprus EMP was speaking at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, during which Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot was asked to brief the Committee on the progress of discussions on the issue.

According to a press release, issued by Kasoulides office, the President of the EU Council of Ministers said that efforts focus on finding solutions on both issues at the same time, but if this is not possible, then the two regulations will be agreed upon separately.

Bot added that he discussed this issue with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Foreign Minister George Iacovou, noting that there are still problems with Cyprus as regards the financing regulation and even bigger problems on the regulation on direct trade.

He also noted that most EU foreign ministers support the adoption of the two regulations at the same time, since the economic situation of the two communities is not balanced with the Greek Cypriot community enjoying a higher standard of living than the Turkish Cypriot community.

[22] Congressman introduces bill for US-owned property in occupied Cyprus

NEW YORK 16/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The New Jersey Congressman is to be joined by members of Congress Michael Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, as original sponsors of this legislation.

A press release, issued by Pallone's office, said that for the 30 years since Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus, US citizens who own real property in the portion of the Republic that is occupied by Turkey have been excluded from the use and enjoyment of that real property.

Pallone said ''it's unconscionable that Turkey, a US ally, who has been, and continues to be, the beneficiary of significant aid and support from this nation, excludes US citizens from property to which they hold lawful titles under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus."

''Eight administrations, both Democrat and Republican, have allowed this deplorable situation to fester,'' Pallone said adding that ''it's time for Congress to act so these US citizens have the opportunity to seek remedies for being illegally excluded from their real property by Turkey, and so that internationally recognized principles of law on property ownership are reaffirmed''.

The American Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act, (H.R. 5071) enables US citizens to seek remedies in three different ways.

The bill authorizes the President to initiate a claims program under which the claims of US nationals who Turkey has excluded from their property in occupied Cyprus can be judged by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (FCSC) and compensated through government-to-government negotiations between the United States and Turkey.

Furthermore, the bill empowers the United States district courts to hear causes of action asserted by US nationals who have been excluded from their property in occupied Cyprus against private persons or entities that occupy or use the property of US nationals in occupied

Cyprus.

Thirdly, the bill empowers the United States district courts to hear causes of action asserted by U.S. nationals who have been excluded from property their in occupied Cyprus against Turkey without having to assert those causes of action under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 as amended.

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