Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloud on Tuesday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[03] PM rejects Turkish proposals for Cyprus dialogue outside UN

[04] Simitis says Iraq's reconstruction must go through the UN

[05] Top gov't-ATHOC meetings ahead of latest IOC inspection visit

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloud on Tuesday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country, with rain and storms iin the eastern Aegean islands and Dodecanese, easing off from late afternoon. easing off later in the day. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning very strong in parts of the Ionian. In the north, temperatures will range from -3C to 9C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 2C to 14C; and in the Aegean islands from 7C to 15C. Temperatures in Athens between 6C and 13C; and in Thessaloniki from -1C to 9C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.066

Pound sterling 0.688

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.248

Japanese yen 128.8

Swiss franc 1.499

Norwegian kroner 7.834

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.588

Australian dollar 1.795

[03] PM rejects Turkish proposals for Cyprus dialogue outside UN

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday once again rejected proposals by the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides for a dialogue outside the UN to find a solution to the Cyprus issue.

In a statement during a recess of his PASOK party's Executive Bureau meeting, Simitis said the proposals were unusual and attributed them to an effort to conceal the responsibilities of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides on the failed outcome of discussions on the Annan plan for Cyprus.

The prime minister said the Turkish Cypriot side wants, in essence, the abandonment of the UN plan for a Cyprus solution, as well as the European Union's arrangements on the status to follow the accession of Cyprus, so as to promote a process for an improvement in the climate between the two communities and then a solution to the political problem to be sought.

Simitis raised the question why Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots remembered now that the status of Famagusta and restriction in occupied territory, as well as conditions on the island in general, can change now and could not change years ago.

He replied that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership were led to these moves, since the Annan plan and the EU's arrangements forced them to abandon their previous position.

Simitis further said the Annan plan and the EU's arrangements are the pressure lever which Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership want to rid themselves of.

He added that he disagrees with this and that the framework of the UN and EU promotes the implementation of international law.

Simitis said preconditions for Turkey's accession to the EU remain, meaning the settlement of all its pending issues with neighbouring countries in accordance with the principles of international law and the principles of the EU.

He underlined that the line separating Nicosia also separates Turkey from the EU and for this reason a change in policy is necessary.Political manoeuvres are not necessary, he added.

[04] Simitis says Iraq's reconstruction must go through the UN

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday said that the reconstruction of Iraq should be implemented via the United Nations, adding that the European Union showed weakness during the Iraq crisis.

Speaking during a break of the ruling PASOK executive bureau meeting, Simitis stressed that the aim of the reconstruction should be the participation of the Iraqis in the government of the country after the war and that the Iraqis should undertake the government of their country as soon as possible.

He stressed that this should be the orientation of the United Nations and this issue will be tabled by Greece to the General Affairs Council on April 14.

He underlined that the Greek EU presidency tried to maintain the cohesiveness of the European Union on the Iraq issue and to promote the elements that unite the European countries, the EU, however, appeared weak in confronting that crisis.

He also spoke of the successes of the Greek EU presidency.

Finally, he reiterated that Greece that from the very beginning stood against the war and for peace and believes that the implementation of international legality is necessary for war, adding that these principles and the national interest determined Greece's stance during the Iraq crisis.

[05] Top gov't-ATHOC meetings ahead of latest IOC inspection visit

Two high-level meetings took place in the Greek capital on Monday ahead of a crucial visit this week by an International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegation expected to once again gauge progress for the 2004 Athens Games, with the focus turning squarely to delays at a handful of venues.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis was initially briefed by Athens 2004 Organising Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki over overall 2004 preparations, as well as on specific projects behind schedule. A meeting between the ATHOC chief and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos whose ministry oversees a major part of the governments commitments for the Games -- followed at the Organising Committee Nea Ionia district headquarters.

Delays still hamper projects at the main Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA), the coastal Helliniko Olympic Complex, Karaiskaki stadium and the ambitious new tram network in southern Athens. Other topics discussed touched on equipment orders, properly organizing the all-important test events and the controversial issue of costs for so-called ?Olympic overlays? -- and who will pay for them.

In exiting the premiers office, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki also dismissed fears that the ongoing conflict in Iraq will in anyway affect next years Olympic Games.

?The Olympic Games is something that unites the whole world. Greece is a country that gave birth to democracy and the Games, and is a country that cherishes peace, something it has shown. People come here to demonstrate that they can live together, to compete together? As a result, what is significant is for us to continue our preparations in the same manner and to concern ourselves with how things are proceeding here,? she stressed.

The chairman of a relevant Coordination Commission for the Athens Games, Denis Oswald, will again head the IOC delegation.

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