Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou echoes Russian leadership's concern over situation in Kosovo

[02] Pre-election campaign takes Greek PM to Crete, Samos

[03] Karamanlis presents "contract" with citizens

[04] Opinion polls put PASOK slightly ahead

[05] Simitis, EMU accession PASOK's strong points - opinion poll

[06] NATO force on route to Kosovo through N. Greece

[07] Tsohatzopoulos concerned over Kosovo

[08] Greek-financed clinic opens near Pristina

[09] New round of Greek-Turkish contacts over 'low-impact' issues begins Monday

[10] Rokofyllos receives Croatian minister

[11] Greece, Turkey to hold Peace Games

[12] Athens 2004 leadership says decision on moving up Games in mid April

[13] Defense minister leaves for Athens

[14] Cook reiterates Cyprus solution not a precondition for EU entry

[01] Papandreou echoes Russian leadership's concern over situation in Kosovo

MOSCOW, 20/03/2000 (ANA D. Konstantakopoulos)

Papandreou echoed statements and concerns by Russias leadership over the worsening situation in Kosovo while attending a reception at Greeces embassy in Moscow in honor of Orthodoxy Day organized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Papandreou is scheduled to hold talks on Monday with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov -- who also attended the embassy reception -- regarding bilateral relations and the situation in Kosovo, among others.

The Greek FM is an official guest of Russian Patriarch Alexiy II, who at the reception reiterated the Russian Churchs condemnation over the destruction of Orthodox religious monuments and monasteries in Kosovo by ethnic Albanian extremists.

Ivanov told reporters at the embassy that Moscow was dissatisfied with the efforts so far with the big powers Contact Group for Yugoslavia, warning that Kosovos withdrawal from the Yugoslav Federation would be disastrous.

On his part, Papandreou also called for international peacekeeping forces stationed in the troubled Yugoslav province to send a clear message that UN resolutions should be respected, noting that Athens desires the development of democratic societies in the Balkans where religious freedoms, human rights and a democratic conscience will be respected.

[02] Pre-election campaign takes Greek PM to Crete, Samos

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

General elections are scheduled in Greece on April 9.

In Iraklion, Crete, Simitis lashed out at main opposition New Democracy, the greatest rival to his ruling PASOK for assuming power.

"Ignorance by ND's leadership is more dangerous than a total lack of (policy) views. A few days ago ND's leader said something unprecedented, something incredible. He said there is no negotiation underway over Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Greek people should... judge and decide: The government that is elected on April 9 must be strong, because during the negotiations in April and May over the country's EMU course the Greek government will negotiate particularly serious issues," he said at the rally.

Simitis also called for a "clear mandate" for the government elected on April 9, noting that "we want ... a large majority to complete the social state; to expand and upgrade the policies of social cohesion and solidarity, just as during the period 1996-2000 when we achieved all the economic goals, between 2000-2004 we will complete the social state in Greece."

He also noted that Greece was entering EMU on its own powers.

In terms of agricultural policy, the Greek premier said "PASOK is the party of the agricultural sector, and farmers are with PASOK. That's been the truth for 25 years now. Only PASOK's program provides a guarantee for the Greek farmer's income."

One day earlier on the island of Samos, Simitis called New Democracy the party of the "traditional right, which demolishes citizens' conquests by implementing the recipe of a 'smaller state'."

In Ikaria and tiny Fournoi, the Greek premier referred to a development program for the Aegean islands through the 3rd Community Support Framework, saying it will be double than the last CSF.

[03] Karamanlis presents "contract" with citizens

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

"This is our contract with the citizens," he said in his concluding address to the party's special conference on principles and positions in Piraeus.

"New Democracy covers the middle ground, with liberal orientation and social solidarity, and addresses all Greeks... separating lines have withered, the future unites us," he emphasized.

Karamanlis stressed a free and open society was inconceivable without the rule of law, and said there was a need to "re-found the state," pursue dynamic and balanced growth through tax reform, privatizations, a buttressing of the stock market and limiting waste in the public sector.

New Democracy's foreign policy would be based on an upgraded role of the foreign ministry, a strong presence in Europe, the pursuit of a leading role in the Balkans and boosting security of the country's borders, Karamanlis said.

He said he was in favor of dialogue with Turkey with a view to improving relations but on the three conditions of respect for international treaties and sovereign rights and a lifting of the threat of the use of force.

He appealed to supporters to have faith in the party's victory.

"Faith is the key word," he said.

[04] Opinion polls put PASOK slightly ahead

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

One, conducted by the Metron Analysis company between March 1 and 13, and carried by the Ethnos on Sunday newspaper, gives PASOK 35.9 percent and ND 35 percent. Three other left-wing opposition parties gather no more than 4.2 percent each, while 17.2 percent of the 1,403-strong, nationwide sample said were undecided, would vote for other parties, cast a blank vote or abstain. A 53 percent of respondents thought PASOK would win the election, compared to 28.9 percent for New Democracy.

A Kapa Research poll, conducted between March 1 and 16, and carried by the newspaper To Vima, gives PASOK 37.5 percent over ND's 37.1 percent. The other parliamentary opposition parties gather no more than 4.9 percent each, while 12.5 percent said were undecided, would vote for other parties, cast a blank vote or abstain. PASOK was thought to win the election by 52.5 percent of respondents and ND by 32.1 percent.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is preferred for the post by 49.1 percent and 48.5 percent, and ND leader Costas Karamanlis by 33.5 percent and 37.1 percent of the two samples respectively.

[05] Simitis, EMU accession PASOK's strong points - opinion poll

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

The survey, conducted by the Alco company and carried by the Athens daily Ethnos on Saturday, also points to the lack of improvement in the average Greek's economic situation and a feeling of fatigue from the prolonged presence of the same people in power as PASOK's weakest points.

However, the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party seems unable to capitalize on these weaknesses, the survey suggests. ND leader Costas Karamanlis and the existence of competent cadres are rated as the party's main advantages but not convincing enough that it can govern better. Karamanlis commands a 40.6 percent popularity rating, compared to Simitis' 52.7 percent.

Finally, 55.7 percent of respondents predict PASOK as the winner of the election, with New Democracy trailing with 25 percent.

[06] NATO force on route to Kosovo through N. Greece

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

Reppas said the transit of the NATO force through Greece was taking place with the consent of the Yugoslav government.

Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said the troop movements were a provocation to the Greek people.

The Kosovo issue is due to be discussed by European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.

An estimated force of about 2,000 U.S.-led troops landed in two different locations in northern Greece on Saturday night and swiftly made their way to Kosovo by road through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, reports said.

About 50 amphibious vehicles and tanks landed at Litohoro, Pieria, at approximately 22:30 local time and a contingent of between 1,100 and 1,200 men at Thessaloniki port at around midnight.

The allied force, which includes troops from Argentina, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania, is scheduled to take part in the Dynamic Response exercise in Kosovo between March 24 and April 10.

Communist Party of Greece supporters held a protest against the landing of the force outside the central gate of the port.

[07] Tsohatzopoulos concerned over Kosovo

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

"The recent intensification of clashes, which create new sources of irredentist movements among Albanian minorities outside Kosovo, are a source of concern to all citizens and Balkan countries," he stated during a visit to the border region of Evros.

Tsohatzopoulos warned that the tense situation would not return to normal unless greater contribution from the international community was forthcoming.

"The Balkans will not be pacified and develop smoothly unless the international community, led by the European Union, contributes economically to the reconstruction, development and, above all, the creation of new jobs.

He noted that Greece was playing a prominent role in such efforts.

[08] Greek-financed clinic opens near Pristina

BELGRADE, 20/03/2000 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

Serbian Orthodox Bishop Artemios, who thanked Greek officials present at the ceremony for the donation, attended and blessed the clinic's opening. The clinic, named "Simonida" is expected to serve the medical needs of the non-Albanian speaking population in that part of the troubled Yugoslav province.

Ethnic Serbs will staff the facility, and if necessary, physicians and nurses from the Greek chapter of the "Doctors of the World" organization, which helped in the undertaking, will assist in its operation.

[09] New round of Greek-Turkish contacts over 'low-impact' issues begins Monday

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

[10] Rokofyllos receives Croatian minister

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

[11] Greece, Turkey to hold Peace Games

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

He made the announcement at the opening of first regional meeting of the International Council of the Olympic Truce Foundation on the contribution of sports to the consolidation of peace. Participants, who included members of the International Olympic Committee, discussed ways of promoting the cessation of hostilities in the Balkans and the Middle East.

Papandreou said his initiative for the Greek-Turkish events had been discussed and approved after consultations with International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch --also President of the Olympic Truce Foundation's International Council-- and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

He said Greece's proposal to set up an international Olympic Truce Center in ancient Olympia, Peloponnese, had been approved and the site would host activities in which young people from Balkan countries would participate this summer.

[12] Athens 2004 leadership says decision on moving up Games in mid April

Athens, 20/03/2000 (ANA)

According to reports, the issue of moving up the starting date of the Athens Olympics wasn't discussed in detail, although 2004 organizing committee officials told Samaranch that their decision would be announced before the next IOC executive committee session on April 18-19, 2000.

The IOC, following a request by FIFA, has asked that the Athens Games be moved up a month so as not to interfere with a heavy international schedule of football matches during the same period.

[13] Defense minister leaves for Athens

LARNACA, 20/03/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Hasikos, who departed on a Greek Air Force C-130, is accompanied by the Commander of the National Guard Demetrios Demou, members of the House Defense Committee and other officials.

On Tuesday, the minister will take delivery of "Knossos" patrol boat, to be renamed "Kyrenia" after the Turkish occupied town on Cyprus' northern coast. The boat is a donation by Greece to Cyprus. On Wednesday Hasikos will speak on security issues in Europe and Cyprus' role and will visit Greek war industry plants.

[14] Cook reiterates Cyprus solution not a precondition for EU entry

NICOSIA, 20/03/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Cook has also made it clear that Cyprus' accession is not linked to that of Turkey. "Our policy on Cyprus is clear and unchanged. Our aim is that a united island should join the EU. A political settlement would make accession easier but a settlement is not a precondition of accession," Cook said in a reply letter to British Euro MP Theresa Villiers.

He said the UK position on Cyprus' accession is shared by other EU member-states as reflected in the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council.

The December Council said "the European Council underlines that a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the EU. If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition."

Cook reiterates London's support for the UN-led proximity talks, which started in New York last December to prepare for the negotiation of a comprehensive settlement.

"We are working hard in support of Kofi Annan's efforts towards a settlement, which will need to address the current restrictions on freedom of movement in Cyprus," Cook said.

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