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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-27Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou calls for shutdown of Guantanamo prisonMain opposition leader George Papandreou, in his capacity as president of the Socialist International (SI), on Monday added his voice to a rising international chorus demanding the shutdown of a prison for terrorist suspects within the US base in Guantanamo, Cuba."As SI president I would like to add my voice to the pleas calling for the closing of Guantanamo. International security and the struggle against terrorism comprise important priorities for the protection of democratic societies and institutions. These goals, however, must be promoted with respect and the safeguarding of political liberties and human rights, as well as the relevant provisions of international law," Papandreou, Greece's former foreign minister, stressed. "The humane treatment of prisoners and the guarantee of a fair trial are rights that have been won through struggles for democracy by democratic and progressive powers around the world. We must safeguard these achievements at all costs ... Our principles and values are, in essence, the best answer to those who want to achieve their political goals through violence and terrorism," Papandreou concluded. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [02] FM comments on EU General Affairs Council decisionsForeign Minister Dora Bakoyannis described as positive the decision reached by the European Union's General Affairs Council to financially support the development of the Turkish Cypriot community in comments she made to Greek journalists after the meeting held in Brussels on Monday.The Council has approved �139 million for the community inhabiting the northern occupied part of Cyprus. However, Bakoyannis, representing Greece at the Council, noted that within 2006 Turkey must fulfill its obligations towards Cyprus in terms of the customs union agreement which it must extend to the 10 new EU member states, Cyprus included. Other items on the Council's agenda included developments in the West Balkans and the problems arising after the publication of cartoons depicting Mohammed the Prophet. Regarding the West Balkans, Bakoyannis briefed the Council on her upcoming visit to the region. She told reporters that the EU is quite concerned about the situation but that she will have the opportunity at the upcoming informal ministerial summit to be held in Austria in March to brief her counterparts on the meetings she will have had in Belgrade, Pristina and Sarajevo. As for the cartoons which have caused an uproar around the world and have resulted in violent demonstrations by Muslims, Bakoyannis said that while Greece is in favour of a free press, the Greek people, having co-existed with Muslims, understand some of the latter's sensitivities. She added that no association should be made between terrorism and Islam. Bakoyannis also had the opportunity to meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn with whom she discussed Turkey's EU prospects. She said that these discussions will continue in the near future beginning with Rehn's upcoming visit to Athens on March 9. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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All Rights Reserved.