Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis announces new measures for farmers

[02] European conservatives reiterate adherence to no change in Balkan borders

[03] Greek infantry company to temporarily transfer to Kosovo's Mitrovica region

[04] Lesvos event focuses on Greek-Turkish relations following Helsinki summit

[05] Presidential decree legalizing EU-licensed attorneys' practice in Greece tabled

[06] Greek-Turkish business meeting in Istanbul ends

[07] Kavala chamber delegation visits counterparts in Istanbul

[08] Karatzas announces expansion by National Bank's Cyprus affiliate, '99 results

[09] Police seize rare Russian icons, artwork smuggled into Greece

[10] Thanou wins gold medal in European Athletics Championship

[11] Slovenian Prime Minister arrives for official visit

[12] Cem pays illegal visit to occupied areas

[13] Cyprus complains over US report on human rights

[01] Simitis announces new measures for farmers

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

Speaking in the western Macedonia town of Naoussa on Saturday, Simitis announced a new package of measures for farmers, including a 50 percent return of the special petrol tax, across-the-board pension increases, a 2-percent reduction in lending rates and an increase in the tax-free ceiling for agriculture inheritances.

Turning to the issue of illegal immigration and crime, Simitis blamed the ND government for opening the countrys borders in 1991 and 1992, while he pointed to his governments creation of a special border guard corps as one major blow to the illegal flow of aliens into Greece. He also said his PASOK governments institution of a white and green card for some categories of illegal immigrants was the first serious and major step at recording and checking non-EU aliens.

Karamanlis: On his part, Karamanlis launched a stinging attack against the ruling party during an address to a ND-affiliated youth meeting in Thessaloniki on Saturday, accusing PASOK of peddling ideology and turning Greece into a party state.

"The state today is a regime we have before us a malignant establishment whose maintenance has become an end in itself for the government," he charged.

Speaking in the Thracian border town of Xanthi on Sunday, Karamanlis accused Simitis of creating blackmailing dilemmas with his claim that an ND victory would spell dangers for the country's expected Economic and Monetary Union entry. He said the government was also in a state of panic, as it realized it was nearing the close of a 20-year cycle.

The ND leader said the party has remained true to its ideological identity, while they (PASOK) have turned their party into an ideological coalition of the nomenclature class, theyve become the establishment and declare that they themselves comprise a regime, as their only worry is maintenance (of the status quo).

In an unrelated development, a car carrying Karamanlis to Xanthi on Saturday evening was involved in a minor traffic accident on the Thessaloniki-Kavala highway. Authorities said a pickup truck illegally entered the main roadway and caused the accident. Only material damages were reported, as the ND leader continued his trip with another vehicle.

KKE: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary-general Aleka Papariga toured Messinia prefecture in the southwest Peloponnese, where she urged voters to turn deaf ears towards the false dilemmas and the anti-Communist theories of the two major parties, as she said.

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos, who met with farmers' representatives in the northeastern town of Komotini, called on the two major parties to reveal their plans on the reform of the social security system. Finally, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas made a similar call in Messolongi, western Greece, on Saturday afternoon.

[02] European conservatives reiterate adherence to no change in Balkan borders

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

The position is stated in the communique issued at the end of a two-day conference of members of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) and the European Democratic Union (EDU) on democracy, stability and cooperation in the region, organized by the main opposition New Democracy party.

Representatives of conservative Balkan parties also attended the conference.

In the communique, the EPP/EDU members call upon all sides involved to respect and work for the success of the Dayton and Kosovo agreements, and stress the significance of support for democratic parties, a selective lifting of the embargo against Yugoslavia and an intensification of efforts for the integration of the Serbian people in Europe.

The conference also endorsed a New Democracy party proposal for the setting up in Thessaloniki of a secretariat, which will assist in the consolidation of EPP/EDU activities regarding SE Europe.

"These activities," says the communique, "are related to the training of politicians and young cadres in issues of democracy, economic growth and political culture".

The participants urge the countries of the region to enter into bilateral free trade agreements and stress the importance of their prospects in the context of European integration.

Karamanlis promises action plan for Balkans: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said Saturday in Thessaloniki that if his party came to power it would apply a comprehensive national action plan for the Balkans designed to tap business opportunities and boost Greece's influence in the region.

"The plan will aim to promote a leading role for Greece through initiatives and bilateral agreements strengthening political stability in SE Europe ... it will include a series of measures consolidating the presence of Greek enterprises in the region so that they may become a steam engine for growth in the area," he said in an address at the city's Chamber of Commerce.

He renewed a commitment to the setting up of a National Foreign Policy Council and said his party proposed the creation of a new department for international cooperation at the foreign ministry, based in Thessaloniki, which would be responsible for gathering data regarding Greek business activity in neighboring Balkan countries.

"This would assist the government in translating the Greek contribution into influence and gain diplomatic leverage," he said.

In short, New Democracy proposed the use of immigration policy as a foreign policy instrument and the government's active support to Greek businessmen with representations to foreign governments in favor of their interests.

"We propose international funding of carefully selected and agreed upon infrastructure projects, a special, internationally-managed fund for reconstruction, and the promotion of the appropriate business environment with institutional and taxation measures," Karamanlis added.

Regarding the Greek economy itself, he renewed a pledge for a full liberalization of the energy and telecommunications sectors, a broad privatization program and an institutional upgrading of the stock exchange.

More specifically, New Democracy will privatize Olympic Airways and the major banks of the public sector, National and Commercial, Karamanlis said.

[03] Greek infantry company to temporarily transfer to Kosovo's Mitrovica region

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

Greece's national defense general staff said the company's tour of duty was part of a normal rotation of units serving in the multinational KFOR contingent. Greek troops are expected to stay in the area until March 5.

[04] Lesvos event focuses on Greek-Turkish relations following Helsinki summit

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

The event was organized by the "Co-existence and Communication in the Aegean" movement.

[05] Presidential decree legalizing EU-licensed attorneys' practice in Greece tabled

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

Exemptions include any positions exercising public authority, such as chairmen of returning board committees in general or municipal elections; representing counsels in bankruptcies cases, executors of trust funds or jurists.

[06] Greek-Turkish business meeting in Istanbul ends

ISTANBUL, 28/02/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Greek entrepreneurs announced on the sidelines of the meeting their decision to establish a Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce based in Athens, aiming to attract European and primarily US capital for investments in the greater Balkan and Black Sea regions.

"The Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce will be established in about six months from now and will be governed by a nine-member council comprising, seven Greeks and two Turkish business people," Panayiotis Koutsikos, the president of the Greek-Turkish Business Council told reporters.

Turkish entrepreneurs of the Committee of External Economic Relations (DEIK), present at the Istanbul meeting, will not participate in the Greek-Turkish Chamber as they reiterated their proposal for a corresponding committee in Greece, Turkish business circles underlined later.

A prominent Turkish business leader said on Saturday that his country's candidacy for EU membership would contribute to an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations and create new opportunities for joint economic programs in the Black Sea region, the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

"Turkey's relations with the EU are directly related to all its policies in the region. Its candidacy for EU membership will contribute to an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations. EU funds could be distributed to support joint Greek-Turkish investments. There are significant opportunities for cooperation in the construction sector in the Balkans, the Mediterranean and areas of the Black Sea region," said Tuncai Ozilhan, vice-president of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (TUSIAD) during Saturday's session.

Antonis Foscolos, of the Hellenic Bank Association, said the two countries' banking sectors were well placed to cooperate in their internal and regional markets, particularly in tourism, telecommunications and transport.

Panagiotis Koutsikos said he was confident Turkey would follow a steady path towards Europe and that its progress would have beneficial results for Greece too.

"The cooperation between Greek and Turkish businessmen must be maintained and entrepreneurs must act independently of politicians," he stressed.

Sariq Tara, Turkish co-chairman of the Council, said that apart from beneficial economic results, the conference would also boost cultural, social and sports exchanges. He forecast that trade between the two countries could increase from $1 billion to $20 billion in five years.

[07] Kavala chamber delegation visits counterparts in Istanbul

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

The Kavala delegation also visited a tourism exhibition in Istanbul.

[08] Karatzas announces expansion by National Bank's Cyprus affiliate, '99 results

NICOSIA, 28/02/2000 (ANA- G.Leonidas)

According to reports, the National Bank affiliate in Cyprus recorded pre-tax profits of 1.77 million Cyprus pounds last year, as opposed to 235,000 in 1998.

During a press conference, Karatzas said National Bank's strategic goal is for its Cyprus affiliate to transform into a regional banking institution. He also said National Bank (Cyprus) would soon establish a brokerage firm and a mutual funds group.

Additionally, Karatzas said the National Bank of Greece plans to list its shares on the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

[09] Police seize rare Russian icons, artwork smuggled into Greece

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

Authorities seized 15 icons, 23 color photographs of various artworks and two handwritten sale contracts at the gallery 19 A00 in the Kolonaki district, while an arrest warrant was issued for its owner, 48-year-old Emmanouil Antonelakis.

In addition, three icons, 45 paintings and prints as well as a host of photographed artworks - all believed illegally smuggled into the country or set to be smuggled - were confiscated at the residence of one of the two women arrested. Police said both suspects were repatriated ethnic Greeks from the former Soviet Union.

Experts at the Byzantine Museum of Athens said the distinctly Russian-style art treasures were dated from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and described as rare.

Sima Moustidou, 44, and Maria Haralambidou, both residents of Kallithea, were arrested in connection with the incident.

[10] Thanou wins gold medal in European Athletics Championship

ATHENS, 28/02/2000 (ANA)

Thanou clocked 7.05 seconds, ahead of Bulgaria's Petia Pendareva and Ukraine's Iryna Pukha with 7.11, who won the silver and bronze respectively.

In the men's 60 meters, Giorgos Theodoridis with 6.51 and Angelos Pavlakakis with 6.54 won the silver and bronze respectively. The gold went to Britain's Jason Gardner who clocked 6.49.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and other political party leaders sent congratulation messages to the Greek athletes.

[11] Slovenian Prime Minister arrives for official visit

NICOSIA, 28/02/2000(CNA/ANA)

A few hours after his arrival, Drnovsek called on President Glafcos Clerides. On his arrival at the Presidential Palace where Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides welcomed him, the Slovenian Premier laid a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Republic late Archbishop Makarios III.

He then inspected the Guard of Honor, while the Police Band played the national hymns of Slovenia and Cyprus.

The Slovenian premier met the Cypriot President for talks, and an official dinner by President Clerides was scheduled to follow.

During his stay, Drnovsek will meet with Kasoulides, head of the Cyprus team negotiating accession to the European Union George Vassiliou, and Deputy President of the House of Representatives Nicos Anastasiades.

[12] Cem pays illegal visit to occupied areas

NICOSIA, 28/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

In a joint press conference with Denktash, Cem said that the Turkish side would make efforts to lift the so-called economic embargo against the illegal regime, and expressed certainty that there would be better results this time.

Cem described the embargo as a "big injustice", adding that Turkey raises the matter with "all the countries interested in the Cyprus problem".

He also said that "insistence on maintaining the inhuman embargo" does not comply with equality, adding that "more attention should be given to equality".

The Turkish foreign minister was referring to a ruling by the European Court in Luxembourg, which regulates the export of produce from the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish since 1974.

Cem did not make any reference to the bid for a confederate solution of the Cyprus problem, as opposed to Denktash who said that the establishment of a confederation would strengthen ties between Greece and Turkey.

The UN, the Cyprus government and all key players in the Cyprus problem have rejected a Turkish proposal for the establishment of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, as it is contrary to UN resolutions stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

A new UN effort is underway to reach a settlement in Cyprus, through separate talks between the two sides. A third round of proximity talks will begin in New York on May 23.

[13] Cyprus complains over US report on human rights

NICOSIA, 28/02/2000(CNA/ANA)

He disagreed with the comparison in the 1999 report, made public on Friday, between the situation in the Cyprus Republic and the Turkish occupied north, underlining that there is only one internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.

"The Cyprus Republic is not only the government controlled areas," Kasoulides told a press conference.

The foreign minister said that during his scheduled meeting with the US ambassador he had the opportunity to complain about "the way this report is written every year and the wording used".

Noting that the report does not affect US policy towards Cyprus, he said "it gives Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash hope that his policy of accepting the so-called realities in Cyprus, created through the use of arms and in violation of international law, will prevail."

Kasoulides added this "undermines efforts to settle the Cyprus question, because it encourages Denktash to carry on with his intransigent policy that will never lead to a solution".

He added he also pointed out to Bandler some points he considers "unfortunate", such as a reference in the report to a so-called "economic embargo" against the Turkish Cypriots, which does not allow their economic status to improve.

"The Greek Cypriots are not imposing an economic embargo", he said, adding this "is the position supported by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem which we do not accept."

A ruling of the European Court in Luxembourg regulated the export of produce from the occupied areas.

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