Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-10-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Molyviatis briefs President Papoulias on foreign policy issues, developments in Turkey's European course

[02] Austria toughening its stance on EU-Turkey negotiations

[03] Papandreou outlines PASOK demands vis-a-vis EU-Turkey, Greek-Turkish relations

[04] Greece to contribute 86,000 euros to UN for efforts to determine fate of missing person in Cyprus

[05] Greek President congratulates Cyprus on Independence anniversary

[06] Defense minister to represent Greece at parade for Cyprus Independence Day

[07] Greece and Cyprus seek EU funding for regional development program

[08] ND sec't meets with outgoing Palestinian envoy

[09] Thessaloniki mayor attends 'Balcinet' mayors meeting in Romania

[10] Senators criticize US gov't on passing up Greek aid for hurricane evacuees

[11] Violence in Iraq due to presence of occupation forces, Iraqi trade unionist says

[12] Ambassadors of Romania, Luxembourg, Egypt and Kuwait present credentials

[13] Greek deficit to fall below 3.0 pct of GDP in 2006, FinMin says

[14] National bank governor sees improved climate toward Greek economy

[15] Development Minister continues US tour

[16] Coalition (SYN) leader demands penalties for subsidized firms shirking obligations

[17] EU to fund study on eastern Mediterranean transport network

[18] Greece top tourist destination for Chinese

[19] Belgian travel agents to hold conference in Crete

[20] Conference on Cretan wine opens in Iraklio on Friday

[21] Greek stocks jump 4.02 pct in the week

[22] Simulation of ill-fated Helios Airways flight conducted

[23] Large Albanian police delegation in Athens this week for training

[24] Bust of 20th century Greek statesman Venizelos to be unveiled in Belgrade square

[25] Thessaloniki hopes to get icon of St. Demetrius for Oct. 28 national holiday

[26] Discussion held at German Institute on 'Journalism and War'

[27] Greek artists participate in 2nd Beijing Biennale

[28] Greek 'Children of Olympus' Music Festival to begin in Vienna

[29] Supreme Court Council places two judges on suspension

[30] President says Cyprus exists without Turkey's recognition

[01] FM Molyviatis briefs President Papoulias on foreign policy issues, developments in Turkey's European course

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Molyviatis said he had briefed the President on "the latest developments in the major foreign policy issues and the prospects".

Immediately afterwards, Molyviatis met with US ambassador in Athens Charles Ries.

After the meeting, Ries expressed hope that the Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU would commence according to schedule on Monday, "as decided by the European Council (summit) of December".

Asked to comment on the Greek government's stance vis-a-vis Turkey's European prospects, Ries said that for a long time Greece has made it clear that it considers support of Turkey's European expectations to be of strategic importance.

The British EU presidency on Thursday called an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers for Sunday in Luxembourg, on the eve of the formal commencement of Turkey's European Union accession negotiations with the EU, after the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) failed on Thursday to adopt the negotiations framework for Turkey, or negotiations mandate.

A spokesman for the British EU presidency said Thursday that it had not been possible for COREPER to reach agreement on the text of the negotiations mandate. According to sources, the stumbling block was Austria's insistence that the text should explicitly offer Ankara a 'privileged partnership' with the EU as an alternative to full membership in the event that the accession negotiations were not satisfactorily concluded.

The draft negotiations mandate acknowledges that the shared objective was Turkish entry into the EU, but states that the negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand.

The draft EU political declaration, or negotiations mandate, is due to be presented by the EU's British presidency to Turkey on October 3 (Monday), at the formal commencement of the Turkey-EU accession talks.

The spokesman added that efforts will continue and, prior to the EU foreign ministers' meeting, bilateral talks would be held between the British EU presidency and Austria.

[02] Austria toughening its stance on EU-Turkey negotiations

VIENNA, 1/10/2005 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

According to the diplomatic sources, Vienna is insisting on the wording "the negotiations constitute an open procedure, for whose outcome there can be no guarantees in advance." Until now, the Austrian government was also requesting an additional "alternative option" for Turkey instead of complete accession.

The same diplomatic sources were expressing pessimism over the possibility of an agreement being reached during the crucial meeting between EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Sunday night, increasing the possibility of an agreement to only 50 percent.

They noted that if no agreement is reached there are fears that Turkey itself will no longer participate in accession negotiations in Luxembourg.

According to Austrian media reports from Brussels, Vienna is also continuing to support its position on an "alternative association" of Turkey in EU structures, if this country is unable to fulfill its obligations for its participation in the EU.

Moreover, the Austrian side wants the wording that there will be a "fair distribution of economic burdens" included in the negotiating framework following Turkey's possible accession.

[03] Papandreou outlines PASOK demands vis-a-vis EU-Turkey, Greek-Turkish relations

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

The former foreign minister spoke to supporters and cadres during a fourth national council of PASOK.

Among others, he called on the Greek government to aim for a "Helsinki II" bolstered by specific commitments, guarantees and a timetable, including the resolution of the Aegean continental shelf issue. He said Athens should propose a December 2006 timetable for solving pending issues, otherwise, Turkey should accept jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague if negotiations fail.

Regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue, he said a specific reference should be made to the commencement of stepped negotiations within a prescribed time period under the UN's auspices and with the active participation of the European Union, given that Cyprus is an EU member-state.

Echoing long-standing Greek foreign policy strategy, he said such negotiations should lead to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on the Union's acquis communautaire, while he said it was "self-evident" that implementation of the EU-Turkey customs agreement will begin.

Additionally, Papandreou said a negotiation framework for the EU-Turkey accession talks should include a monitoring mechanism to make sure that Ankara implements and meets criteria.

Finally, he criticized the government for implementing a 42-percent election limit for mayors and prefects in next year's local government elections.

Gov't reaction: In response to Papandreou's comments, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said:

"With leaps into the past and efforts to perpetuate divisionary dilemmas that injured this land, the only thing that Mr. Papandreou is doing is to demolish the view of 'another policy' that he once cited."

[04] Greece to contribute 86,000 euros to UN for efforts to determine fate of missing person in Cyprus

NEW YORK, 1/10/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

According to an announcement by Greece's permanent delegation at the UN, the amount to be provided at an initial stage reaches 86,000 euros.

Lastly, it was stressed that "it is also necessary that investigations taking place in the Committee's framework to be accompanied by parallel actions and measures on the part of the Turkish government which must be taken in the direction of Turkey's response to the decision taken by the European Human Rights Court on the Fourth Interstate Appeal by the Republic of Cyprus against Turkey."

[05] Greek President congratulates Cyprus on Independence anniversary

NICOSIA, 1/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

[06] Defense minister to represent Greece at parade for Cyprus Independence Day

NICOSIA, 1/10/2005 (ANA - A. Viketos)

On his arrival, Spiliotopoulos said that the aim of the parade in Nicosia was to show that Cyprus' defense and security was not negotiable. He also noted that the seamless cooperation between Cyprus and Greece had once again been proven with respect to the start of EU-Turkey accession negotiations, where the goals of the two governments had been fully achieved.

The Greek minister was met by his Cypriot counterpart Kyriakos Mavronikolas, who also underlined the highly developed cooperation between their two ministries and between the Greek Armed Forces and the Cypriot National Guard.

On Saturday, Spiliotopoulos will be received by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and have talks with Mavronikolas, as well as watching the National Guard parade.

[07] Greece and Cyprus seek EU funding for regional development program

NICOSIA, 10/10/2005 (ANA/A.Viketos)

Pavlidis made the announcement after his meetings with Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou and Cypriot Finance Minister Michael Sarris.

The Greek minister said that both sides are looking to extend the 10-year program to include other activities such as trade and maritime shipping.

To date, the program, which has a budget of � 1.5 million and is financed by the two countries, has covered sectors such as environmental education and viniculture technology among others.

Finally, Pavlidis said that Greece and Cyprus would seek other EU island member-states, such as Malta, as partners to develop parallel activities through other EU programs.

[08] ND sec't meets with outgoing Palestinian envoy

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Afterwards, Abdelhamid said he thanked Meimarakis for both his and the party's solidarity vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue.

[09] Thessaloniki mayor attends 'Balcinet' mayors meeting in Romania

THESSALONIKI, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

The main topics discussed during the annual meeting, which was opened by Romanian President Traian Basescu, were the fight against crime and narcotics.

Addressing the conference, Papageorgopoulos stressed that the mayors of major Balkan cities could help bring about a "new spring" in their cities when they were united. He also noted the start of cooperation agreement on Friday between Balcinet and the ANA-MPA news agency for the publication of a newsletter focusing on the news and initiatives of Balkan cities.

[10] Senators criticize US gov't on passing up Greek aid for hurricane evacuees

WASHINGTON, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D) and Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn (R) state that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accepted the Greek government's offer but failed to implement it.

Instead FEMA signed a six-month, $236 million agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines.

According to the senators, the amount is "four times the price of a seven-day western Carribean cruise including entertainment and fuel costs."

Obama and Coburn ask Chertoff to confirm whether the Greek government in fact made the offer and whether FEMA failed to implement it or not.

"If the offer was not implemented, we request that you provide us with information as to the reasons for the lack of implementation," they said in closing.

[11] Violence in Iraq due to presence of occupation forces, Iraqi trade unionist says

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Marai, who was invited by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) to be present at the presentation, is currently in Greece to attend the three-day peace events organized by the "Labor Solidarity" at the Pedion tou Areos Square in Athens from September 30 to October 2.

The speaker referred to recent events in the city of Basra with the arrest of two Britons and their release by their army with the use of tanks, as well as to the clash that ensued.

Marai attributed this act and other similar ones to the British policy of "divide and rule" so that there will be a conflict between Shiites and Sunnis.

As regards the situation in the employees' union at petroleum installations, continuous resistance exists until control passes to the people of Iraq from Kellog Brown and Root.

Representatives of GSEE and ADEDY expressed the Confederation's solidarity for the struggling people of Iraq, stressing that "the continuing occupation is obstructing cooperation among unions, while the paramount right to life is being sacrificed in the name of big interests and of oil."

[12] Ambassadors of Romania, Luxembourg, Egypt and Kuwait present credentials

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis also attended the ceremonies.

[13] Greek deficit to fall below 3.0 pct of GDP in 2006, FinMin says

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to discuss the draft plan of next year's budget -to be tabled to Parliament on Monday, Alogoskoufis said economic developments were moving according to targets set in a convergence program. The Greek minister stressed the government would not introduce any new measures and noted that emphasis would be given in dealing with tax-evasion and reducing spending.

Economy ministry sources expect the country's fiscal deficit to fall to 3.6 percent of GDP this year, from 6.6 percent in 2004, and to 2.8 percent in 2006. The same sources dismissed recent press reports over increases in registration fees and VAT.

Gov't on economic performance: The government spokesman on Friday stressed that supervision and monitoring are both elements of democracy, in answer to reporters' questions over ruling New Democracy deputy and former minister Miltiades Evert's tabled question seeking figures on ministries' outlays between 1995 and 2005.

Regarding the economy, spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reiterated that the government's serious efforts, as he said, are beginning to bear fruit. His statement comes in reply to questions about recent reports by international organizations gauging Greece's economy and competitiveness.

Pointing to one bright spot, the spokesman said direct foreign investments in the country -- for decades amongst the lowest in the developed world -- reached the 1.35-billion-dollar mark in 2004, up from US$661 million in 2003.

Finally, in an unrelated development, Roussopoulos dismissed charges, mostly aired by main opposition PASOK over the past few days, regarding favoritism in public sector hirings. He noted that the specific hirings criticized by PASOK relate to temporary contracts for teachers, with most contracted teachers also being hired in their home region or prefecture.

"Greek citizens see, judge and remember," Roussopoulos said of PASOK's charges.

[14] National bank governor sees improved climate toward Greek economy

NEW YORK, 1/10/2005 (ANA/A. Lidorikis)

After meetings with investors holding shares in the bank's capital in Washington and New York, Arapoglou said there had been a "fundamental reversal of the climate" and "fewer questions" relative to the year before.

Foreign institutional investors currently own 33 per cent of the bank's share capital, up from just 18 per cent in March 2004.

[15] Development Minister continues US tour

NEW YORK, 10/10/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

He is scheduled to attend a dinner organized by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce on Friday evening, while on Saturday he will be meeting with Archbishop of America Dimitrios, executives of major corporations and members of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.

Sioufas will depart for Athens on Sunday.

SAE Conference: On Thursday, Sioufas attended a conference held by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), titled "Technology and Development in Greece."

More than 120 academics, researchers and Greek-American businessmen attended the conference which focused on the economic potential in Southeast Europe and Balkan countries' European Union prospects.

Addressing the conference, Sioufas emphasized the Greek government's strategy in the region which is based on peace, cooperation and development.

Regarding Greek communities abroad, he said that the government is working towards upgrading their role by improving communication with the communities but also with the host countries.

As an example of the government's initiatives, Sioufas referred to the creation of the Expatriate Service Centre in Athens. He also referred to the significant contributions made by SAE and its President Andrew Athens who played a key role in supporting health care centers in former Soviet Union countries.

As for research and technology, the development minister said that they are among the priorities of the National Strategic Plan for Development which will be funded by the EU and the Greek state.

Because of its geopolitical position, Greece is an attractive location for western European and US companies to establish their strategic headquarters and research centers as they try to enter markets in eastern European, the Balkans, the Black Sea region, Caucasus and the Middle East, he said.

Sioufas also highlighted Greece's role in the energy sector making references to major projects such as the Greek-Turkish and Greek-Italian natural gas pipelines, and the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline.

The minister also referred to Greek-US relations.

"Greece and the United States maintain close ties of friendship and cooperation; ties that become more essential due to Greek communities in the U.S,," he said, adding that the objective is to continue strengthening these ties.

In Washington, Sioufas met with US Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell and discussed Greece's role as a regional energy channel, especially in light of major pipeline networks underway in Greece.

In Chicago, the development minister met with regional government officials, entrepreneurs and members of the Greek community.

Also part of the Greek delegation are the ministry's development secretary general, Nikos Stefanou and research and technology secretary general, Yiannis Tsoukalas; Professor Dimitris Nanopoulos, President of the National Research and Technology Council; Vassilis Makios, Professor at Patras University; and other ministerial officials.

[16] Coalition (SYN) leader demands penalties for subsidized firms shirking obligations

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

He also asked the government to clarify how many of these companies had been made to face the penalties required by law and to hold an off-the-agenda debate in Parliament on this issue.

Pointing to a report released on Thursday by a trade union group affiliated to his party, which listed some 80 businesses that received generous subsidies from national and EU funds but had not observed requirement not to lay off staff or transfer their productive activities elsewhere.

According to Alavanos, the deliberate inaction of governments had made subsidized industrialists completely unrestrained.

"They don't care about the obligations they take on since no one ever calls them to order," he added.

Alavanos rejected the position of the Union of Greek Industrialists, Greece's largest employer group, that the names of companies breaking the law should not be made public.

"The government knows it is obliged to protect the money of the Greek people, that it is obliged by national and community law to provide complete transparency and demand the return of the funds with interest," Alavanos said.

[17] EU to fund study on eastern Mediterranean transport network

BRUSSELS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

The ministry undertook coordination of the proposal for the three countries. Advocated is a study on transport corridors linking Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta and Slovenia.

The EU budget for the study is two million euros, the statement said.

[18] Greece top tourist destination for Chinese

BEIJING, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Eighty percent of those surveyed - which included travel writers and the magazine's readers - chose Greece as the leading destination of all countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

France placed second winning 60% of the vote, followed by Italy.

Greek Ambassador to China Mikis Kampanis, accompanied by Stelios Korkidis, Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) representative and press attache in Beijing, received the prize.

[19] Belgian travel agents to hold conference in Crete

IRAKLION, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Events to take place parallel to the conference include a visit by delegates to archaeological sites, as well as to other sights in Crete.

The Greek Tourist Organization (EOT) is participating actively in the holding of the conference with the purpose of promoting Greece in Belgium's tourist market.

[20] Conference on Cretan wine opens in Iraklio on Friday

IRAKLION, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

Delegations from the regions of the Canary Islands, Madera, Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus and Crete are participating in the conference. Crete is being represented by the region of Malevyzi, being the exclusive region on the island which produces this wine.

An address was to be made on the first day of the conference by the Mayor of Ghazi Mr. Markoyiannakis on the topic of "The wine Malvazia and Malevyzi." The conference is due to end on Sunday.

[21] Greek stocks jump 4.02 pct in the week

ATHENS, 1/10/2005 (ANA)

National Bank's shares jumped 5.38 percent in the wake of the announcement of a 62 pct jump in six month profits.

Sector indices scored gains with the Textiles (7.14 pct), Banks (3.01 pct), Investments (2.96 pct), Holdings (1.69 pct), scoring the biggest percentage gains, while the Insurance (1.13 pct), IT Solutions (0.92 pct), Telecoms (0.88 pct) and Mineral-Cement (0.62 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.42 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.93 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.02 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 153 to 114 with another 73 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: OTE top in stock futures trade

Equity Index Futures: