Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-06-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis: Globalization unstoppable, strict monitoring the key

[02] US President calls for 'de-Balkanisation' of southeastern Europe, Turkey's accession to EU

[03] British Museum invites Greek FM Papandreou to tour new hall

[04] Greek FM Papandreou addresses Bildeberg club on EU enlargement and the Balkans

[05] Karamanlis lashes at "unofficial centres of power"

[06] Former premier offers support for building mosque in Athens

[07] Landing exercise in Kyparissia completed on Friday afternoon

[08] De Palacio and Papazoi discuss EU affairs

[09] Greek community in Toronto gives enthusiastic welcome to President Stephanopoulos

[10] No new proposal on FYROM name

[11] Parliament's Permanent Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee President Papoulias holds talks with Milosevic

[12] Greek parliamentary delegation to attend WEU assembly session in Paris

[13] Chinese delegation to visit Crete

[14] International tender for 20 percent stake in OA to be called after British Airways declines option

[15] Papoutsis calls for measures to boost European shipping sector

[16] European Energy Conference delegates sign memorandum

[17] Record Greek-Bulgarian trade seen in 2000

[18] Greek-Turkish infotech venture set up

[19] Greek and Turkish businessmenmeet in Izmir

[20] Greek business delegation visits Bursa at invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce

[21] Public Power Corporation gets new board

[22] Bulgarian PM cites damage to nat'l economy if telecom utility sale falls through

[23] Greek commerce needs to prepare for euro, seminar told

[24] Greek stocks steady in subdued trade

[25] Equity futures finish down in higher turnover

[26] Bonds sold, discounting EU decision on euro-zone entry

[27] Drachma down vs euro, up vs dollar

[28] Bank of Piraeus/Macedonia-Thrace Bank merger gets go ahead

[29] Public order minister outlines qualitative characteristics of Greek Police services' restructuring

[30] Laliotis and Avramopoulos open ecological exhibition

[31] Greek, Bulgarian radio organisations discuss cooperation

[32] Greek organisers of New York festival honoured

[33] Queensland Millennium Award goes to Greek ECCQ chairman

[34] Journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos acquitted of slander charge

[35] Two hashish 'plantations' raided in rural areas

[36] Woman axes husband to death

[37] Quake jolts southwest Greece

[38] Sunny in most parts of the country Saturday

[39] Government describes EU/US Summit reference to Cyprus as 'positive approach'

[40] FM Kasoulides welcomes Israeli-Palestinian meeting in Cyprus

[41] Relatives of missing persons express surprise over UN chief's report

[42] CNA, ANSA sign cooperation agreement

[01] Simitis: Globalization unstoppable, strict monitoring the key

One cannot halt globalization or the markets, and talk about the need to put a rein on globalization is "outside the realm of reality", Prime Minister Costas Simitis said Friday just hours before the beginning of an international summit in the capital of a united Germany.

Simitis also confirmed that he would meet with US President Bill Clinton and other world leaders on the sidelines of an international conference focusing on the center-left movement and on alternatives to traditional liberal and conservative approaches to government.

"What is being said about the need to put a halt on globalization is outside the realm of reality, as is talk that a halt can be placed on the markets. There is a network of markets that operates supra-nationally and it is not possible to place it under control," Simitis said during a press conference.

What could be done, he added, was to establish structures with which to monitor them. "There is no need for bogey-men. We must see and face these things as they are."

Simitis said there could not be just one single view on confronting phenomena such as globalization. "But there must be a common view," he said, citing constant discussions in that direction.

"We will go ahead with everyone, because a discussion that concerns the major issues of our times must embrace as many ideological trends and tendencies as possible," he explained.

He added that it was significant that Greek leadership take part in the Berlin conference, because Greece was a small country and had not contributed substantially to such issues. "We are here due to our economic success and because we are an active member of the European Union," he noted.

The Greek PM said efforts for achieving a common view would continue, and a new meeting such as the current one in Berlin would be held soon.

"We are at a stage of searching, because the end of ideologies has not come, but rather the end of solutions founded on a single rule, such as the class struggle, for example," the premier continued.

Simitis said the conference would discuss the repercussions of globalisation and keeping them in check, economic stability and growth in a new economic environment, the information society, education, social cohesion and justice.

He said there were issues being pondered, such as the new quality of life and the authorities developing -- for example those of the mass media and information, and referred to the international financial concerns that were taking decisions on the people's standard of living -- genetically modified products and biotechnology... things that the people were not asked to approve.

"We need more autonomy for the citizens, and unobstructed development. And it is very positive that we sit together, share our experiences and exchange views in order to find a common stance on the problems that concern everyone," the premier said.

He said Europe needed to strengthen its position, since "only if you are strong can you meet the world competition".

"We are at the beginning of a stage of showdown, and everything will depend on how strong we, as Europe, will be."

Simitis said the issues being examined at the Berlin conference were totally different from those discussed by the Davos Forum, with which he disagreed.

"I do not agree with Davos, and I believe there should be a Da-vos (process) for society," Simitis said.

The premier said it was very useful that leaders from different political and ideological systems -- such as from South Africa and Sweden, the United States and New Zealand -- to take part in the Berlin conference.

[02] US President calls for 'de-Balkanisation' of southeastern Europe, Turkey's accession to EU

US President Bill Clinton on Friday called on European policy makers to give priority to "de-Balkanising" southeastern Europe and Turkey's accession to the EU in their strategy for the region's European integration.

Clinton was speaking at Aachen, after being awarded the Charlemagne Prize.

According to the US president, if the aim of the Stability Pact for the Balkans was the full incorporation of the region in Europe, Turkey had to be included. He applauded the EU's decision to consider Turkey a candidate-member, expressing the hope that they would continue the process toward accession.

"This would be good for Turkey, good for southeastern Europe, good for a faster reconciliation between Greece and Turkey and for a solution to the Cyprus problem..." he said. He also urged Europeans to keep the door open to Russia.

The Charlemagne Prize is Germany's most prestigious political distinction, first introduced in 1950, and this is only the third time it has been awarded to an American politician. Among its past recipients was late Greek president and prime minister Constantine Karamanlis.

According to the committee awarding the prize, the US president was chosen because of "his contribution to the cooperation with European countries, to the maintenance of peace, freedom and human rights in Europe, and for his support of the expansion of the European Union."

[03] British Museum invites Greek FM Papandreou to tour new hall

The British Museum's leadership has invited Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to tour a new museum hall on Sunday as well as to "discuss issues of common interests."

The invitation by the museum's top officials comes a few days before the Greek FM's scheduled testimony to a House of Commons bipartisan committee examining the issue of the Parthenon Marbles.

The London museum has for decades exhibited the exquisite classical friezes in a special wing, touted by many as the spacious British Museum's top draw. Museum trustees have also remained steadfastly against any idea of returning the Marbles to Greece despite increasing international pressure of late.

Veteran French film director Jules Dassin, representing the Melina Mercouri Foundation, is set to testify before the same committee on Saturday. Dassin's widow, noted Greek actress turned politician, spearheaded a revitalized campaign throughout much of 1980s to gain the return of the Marbles, dubbed the "Elgin Marbles" over the past century and a half.

The 5th century BC friezes were irreparably damaged in the late 1930s by British Museum staff, as revealed by British historian and author William St. Clair two years ago.

The Marbles were removed from the Parthenon by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century with tacit permission of local Ottoman administrators then ruling in the area. Elgin removed the friezes and other parts of the impressive Parthenon temple, dedicated to the ancient goddess Athena.

[04] Greek FM Papandreou addresses Bildeberg club on EU enlargement and the Balkans

Foreign Minister George Papandreou addressed a meeting of the Bildeberg club here on Friday, focusing on European Union enlargement, developments in the Balkans and problems created often by the lack of a specific strategy, primarily on the part of the major powers, and stressing the need to keep borders as they are.

Papandreou was speaking during a discussion on developments in Europe.

Personalities attending the meeting included former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the owner of the FIAT automobiles company Agnelli.

Discussions will continue on Saturday, while the main topic of conversation will be the upsurge of the far-right in Europe.

Papandreou left for London by rail on Friday night.

[05] Karamanlis lashes at "unofficial centres of power"

Main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis charged on Friday that his New Democracy party had become the target of unofficial centres of power attempting to undermine it as the country entered a period when very significant economic deals were being hatched.

"New Democracy will resolutely resist such attempts that adversely affect the quality and substance of democracy," he said. He claimed that the attackers had provocatively and shamelessly enlisted even a Turkish newspaper in their campaign.

He was referring to an article in the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" about a "political and sexual scandal in Greece," containing insinuations about his relationship with party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos.

"Mud-slinging and slander do not touch us. This party must prove to its opponents that it does not waver in the face of blackmail," he said.

Karamanlis reiterated his party's claim to the middle ground of politics which former socialists worldwide today were attempting to usurp it. "The middle ground does not exclude anyone. It is open to the whole of society," he said.

[06] Former premier offers support for building mosque in Athens

Former premier Constantine Mitsotakis expressed his support on Friday for the opening of a mosque in the greater Athens area, an issue that strung onto the national limelight recently following the Greek government's announced intention to allow construction of an Islamic place of worship.

Although dozens of mosques currently operate in Greece, primarily in the northeast province of Thrace -- which is home to several thousands of Muslims -- the Greek capital lacks an official mosque. Efforts to allow the construction of such a temple in a suburb east of Athens and near the capital's under-construction international airport have been promoted by several government ministers over the past week, with backing also coming from Greece's powerful Greek Orthodox Church leadership.

However, criticism of the proposal has also been lodged from certain political quarters in the predominately Orthodox country of 11 million.

Mitsotakis stressed that even a public debate over whether to allow a mosque to open near the Athens capital is inexcusable, and in itself exposes the country.

"As a people of the diaspora, par excellence, we build Orthodox Churches from Australia to America and even South America and Korea," Mitsotakis, the honorary president of the main opposition New Democracy, said.

In earlier comments this week, the government spokesman said conditions are ripe for building a mosque in the capital.

Dimitris Reppas said the government had reached this decision independently of preparations for the 2004 Olympics, saying it was inconceivable for Muslims residing or travelling through Athens not to have a place of worship.

Commenting on statements by former ruling PASOK public order minister and current MP Stelios Papathemelis, who said that he would only agree to the building of a mosque in Athens if Turkey turned over the keys of Haghia Sophia to Greece, Reppas said deputies are free to express their opinions and that PASOK would not make party discipline an issue on this particular vote.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos also spoke in favour of the opening of a mosque.

[07] Landing exercise in Kyparissia completed on Friday afternoon

A landing exercise in the region of Kalo Nero, near Kyparissia in western Peloponnese, started in the early hours of Friday with the arrival of eight landing craft carrying 2,500 marines backed by NATO ships and aircraft and was completed late in the afternoon.

The operation was part of the NATO exercise codenamed Dynamic Mix. The undertaking was delayed for two hours after an American landing craft ran aground in shallow waters, while half an hour was required to free the vessel. National Defence General Staff sources attributed the problem to the exercise's realism.

The landing operation was carried out by two battalions, a US-Turkish one under US command and a Greek-Spanish one under Greek command. A multinational artillery battery under Greek command also participated.

The American marines landed first and were followed by the Greeks in their own landing craft. Turkish marines landed at 3 p.m. in an American landing vessel, followed by the Spaniards in an American helicopter.

The operation was attended by National Defence General Staff Chief General Manousos Paragioudakis. The final phase of the exercise will be held in the region of Askos Profitis in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on June 5.

[08] De Palacio and Papazoi discuss EU affairs

European Commission vice-president Loyola de Palacio and Alternate Foreign Minister Elisavet Papazoi in Athens on Friday discussed issues related to the Intergovernmental Conference on reviewing EU treaties prior to enlargement and relations between the European Commission and the European Parliament.

Papazoi is leaving for London on Monday and will be in Dublin on Tuesday for talks with her respective counterparts ahead of the EU summit in Feira, Portugal later this month.

Meeting with Kaklamanis

The hopes of European citizens for a social, as well as economic, Europe Union presuppose greater powers for the EU's institutions of representation and greater cooperation between them, said Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Friday, during a meeting with the EU Commission's Vice-President in charge of parliamentary relations, Loyola de Palacio.

Kaklamanis and De Palacio discussed the relations of European national assemblies with the European Parliament.

Kaklamanis pointed out that the greatest danger was a sense among European citizens that they cannot participate in this process, noting the need for better information and for a European defence mechanism that will cover the whole of Europe. De Palacio agreed with the views of the parliament speaker, and she expressed joy that the Greek Parliament always displays a spirit of cooperation and avoids creating friction with the European assembly.

[09] Greek community in Toronto gives enthusiastic welcome to President Stephanopoulos

Over 2,000 Greeks living in Canada created an atmosphere of enthusiasm during an official dinner provided by the Greek community in Toronto for President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday night.

President Stephanopoulos addressed the event, attended by the prime minister of Ontario and the mayor of Toronto, while local young people re-enacted scenes from the history of Greek migrants with reference to Greece, Cyprus and Canada.

President Stephanopoulos referred to the era of Greek migrants, modern-day Greece and the need for overseas Greeks to safeguard their ties with the motherland.

He further referred to the contribution of overseas Greeks to Greece's struggles and to their contribution to the development of countries to which they have emigrated.

Commenting on modern-day reality in Greece, President Stephanopoulos stressed the fact that the constitution is functioning impeccably, foreign policy principles are steadfastly abided by in relation to national sovereignty and sovereign rights are inalienable, while efforts are being made to restore good relations with all neighbouring countries and which are producing results.

Deputy Foreign Minister Angeliki Laiou also made a brief address, referring to the first Greek communities abroad and stressing the contribution of overseas Greeks to the development of Canada.

President Stephanopoulos visited York University in Toronto on Thursday morning, where a modern Greek studies faculty will be established, and addressed a large audience including many of the 400 Greek students studying there. President Stephanopoulos will conclude his visit to Canada on Friday with a tour of Niagara Falls and a visit to the city of Hamilton.

[10] No new proposal on FYROM name

The FYROM foreign ministry has not decided on any new proposal regarding the country's name, FYROM foreign minister Alexander Dimitrov said in an interview with the local private newspaper Dnevnik appearing Friday.

Dimitrov also said that the name issue was not on the agenda of his expected talks next week with Greek foreign minister George Papandreou in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

Dimitrov expressed the view that a "solution to the problem of the name should be sought within the framework of the United Nations", and said his talks with Papandreou would focus on improving bilateral relations, on the situation in the region and on progress on the Stability Pact. Meanwhile, FYROM's representative at the UN-sponsored talks in New York on the name issue, Vania Tosefski, also told Dnevnik that she had no new proposal on the name issue.

[11] Parliament's Permanent Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee President Papoulias holds talks with Milosevic

Greek Parliament Permanent Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee President Karolos Papoulias, currently on a three-day official visit to Belgrade, held talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic on Friday.

According to an announcement by the office of Milosevic, Papoulias conveyed to the Yugoslav president the Greek people's feelings of support and congratulated him over the successes achieved by the people of Yugoslavia in the reconstruction process following NATO's raid. Papoulias said the policy of pressures exerted on Yugoslavia is mistaken and contrary to the common aims of peace and stability which the two friendly countries support.

President Milosevic, after expressing satisfaction for meeting Papoulias again, said "relations between Yugoslavia and Greece will develop with success, in accordance with the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, despite the pressures to which Greece is exposed on the part of the US administration," the announcement said.

[12] Greek parliamentary delegation to attend WEU assembly session in Paris

A delegation of Greek MPs representing all parties in Parliament will leave for Paris on Sunday to participate in the fourth session of the Western European Union (WEU) parliamentary assembly.

The assembly will discuss issues related to the Lisbon initiative for a "parliamentary dimension to European security and de-fence," the consequences of transferring WEU responsibilities to the EU, the new European security architecture and implemen-ting the new Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe.

WEU delegates will be addressed by the organisation's secretary-general, EU high representative for foreign policy and defence Javier Solana, Portuguese Defence Minister Castro Caldas and French Deputy Defence Minister Jean-Pierre Masseret.

[13] Chinese delegation to visit Crete

Deputy Constructions Minister of the People's Republic of China Ye Rutang will visit Irakleio, Crete, on Monday together with nine mayors of his country's biggest cities.

The members of the Chinese delegation will arrive at Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Irakleio at 8:30 a.m. on Monday on board an Olympic Airways flight.

The Chinese delegation will be visiting Knosos, the archaeological site at Knosos, the traditional village of Arolithos, the Irakleio prefecture, the museum and the municipality of Arhanes.

[14] International tender for 20 percent stake in OA to be called after British Airways declines option

British Airways' new management does not intend to take up its option to bid for up to a 20 percent stake in Greek national carrier Olympic Airways, and an international tender would be called to find a buyer, national economy and finance minister Yannos Papantoniou said Friday.

The announcement came after a half-hour meeting in Athens between Papantoniou, transport and communications minister Christos Verelis and the new BA management. Papantoniou said the tender consultant would be announced next week.

The winner of the tender would also take on the ailing Greek carrier's management, the national economy minister added. British Airways subsidiary Speedwing was in late June 1999 awarded a concession to manage the ailing national carrier for 30 months in order to shape up its finances and operations. Rod Lynch was appointed as the OA managing director.

The contract, which expires on December 31, 2001, gave British Airways the option of bidding for up to a 20 percent stake in the Greek national carrier.

[15] Papoutsis calls for measures to boost European shipping sector

Greek Merchant Marine Minister, Christos Papoutsis, on Friday called for measures to ensure the European shipping sector's competitiveness and said that current proposals needed more consideration.

"We should not be afraid of changes. Let's not forget that they move on regardless. We need, though, to prepare ourselves properly to deal with them effectively and transform them into opportunities," Papoutsis said addressing a "Posidonia 2000" conference in Athens on "Regulatory environment in internatio-nal shipping".

Referring to the Erica tanker accident, he said "the Erica accident unveiled in a dramatic way the need for protecting the sea environment, coasts and for more safety sea transports."

Papoutsis said that all steps towards improving the international shipping sector should be taken cautiously and after close consideration.

He also urged for better training of seamen and for measures to support employment in the sector.

[16] European Energy Conference delegates sign memorandum

Energy ministers from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovi-na, Romania, FYROM and Greece on Friday signed a memorandum aiming to form a competitive regional energy market in southeast Europe.

The memorandum was signed on the last day of a European Energy Conference held in Athens.

Dominique Ristori, the European Commission's general affairs director at the energy and transport directorate, ended the two-day conference presenting its results.

Rising energy needs combined with the liberalisation of the energy market are dramatically changing the environment and the energy structure, Ristori told delegates.

"At this critical point we must be very careful, as a gradual liberalisation of global energy market should not put a brake on relations between states," he noted.

"We are witnessing a rapid increase in oil prices, from April 1999 to March 2000. We must take this fact under serious consideration to predict short-term prospects in natural gas prices," Ristori said.

He urged for an organised dialogure, at a global level, on energy issues and acknowledged the need for the formation of a competitive regional energy market in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea region.

The conference also urged for the use of funds to finance projects for the protection of the environment from energy transport risks.

[17] Record Greek-Bulgarian trade seen in 2000

Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Pashalidis on Friday received Bulgarian Deputy Economy Minister Christo Michailovski, currently visiting Greece, at his office in Thessaloniki.

The two men discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria, and the economic results of this cooperation.

In statements made after the meeting, the Bulgarian minister said that in the first quarter of 2000, trade between the two countries had increased significantly and he estimated that bilateral trade transactions could reach record levels. According to Michailovski, infrastructure was the sector in which both sides had expressed most interest in cooperation.

Pashalidis spoke of good bilateral economic relations and referred to the importance of Balkan reconstruction. He underlined Greece's interest in this, as expressed through the Greek plan for reconstruction in the region that is being promoted by the national economy ministry with the support of the Macedonia-Thrace ministry.

"We have in common a vision for the Balkans: peace, democracy, cooperation. On this we are agreed. We will move forward on the common European path," he said.

[18] Greek-Turkish infotech venture set up

Despec Hellas and Turkish entrepreneur Erol Bilecik on Friday announced the setting up of an infotech, home entertainment and multimedia company on a 50-50 basis.

The new concern, with an initial capital of $8.75 million, will also be active in retail and e-commerce.

Bilecik said at a press briefing that the investment was one of the largest in the sector in Turkey, while Despec Hellas president Fotis Gyliadis announced that the new company would follow a very aggressive sales policy. He also said that the decision behind the move was the result of a careful study of recent political developments between the two countries and the prospects for Turkish business. It was also part of Despec's expansion plans in southeastern Europe, he added.

Bilecik also has a 50 percent stake in Despec Turkey.

[19] Greek and Turkish businessmenmeet in Izmir

The second economic meeting between Greek and Turkish businessmen from the regions of the Aegean, Turkey and the Greek islands, organised by the Mytilene Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, is taking place in Izmir, Turkey.

"Considerable cooperation has started quite some time ago between the Chambers of Commerce of Mytilene and Izmir," said Greece's consul in Izmir Christina Angelopoulou in her inaugural address, adding that "this cooperation can turn the Aegean into a bridge of friendship between the two countries."

The President of the Mytilene Chamber of Commerce and Industry Panayiotis Mathiellis said cooperation between Greece and Turkey is developing more and more every day and that the politicians of the two countries should continue efforts to further develop Greek-Turkish relations.

The meeting, due to last until June 4, is attended by 150 businessmen, journalists and scientists from Greece and Turkey.

[20] Greek business delegation visits Bursa at invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce

A group of Greek businessmen, headed by the President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dimitris Bakatselos, has arrived in Bursa, Turkey, at the invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Bakatselos reminded that the two chambers have signed a twinning protocol, adding that "the businessmen of the two countries can activate themselves with joint investments in the Balkans."

He said that Turkey is the safest country in the region for investments and that the purpose of contacts is to promote joint investments by Greek and Turkish businessmen.

[21] Public Power Corporation gets new board

The names of the Public Power Corporation's new board were announced on Friday by the development ministry, which oversees the state electricity utility.

The new board members are as follows: