Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-14

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Emergency government meeting decides drastic measures to combat fires

[02] Hilfe company makes positive evaluation of political and economic situation in Greece

[03] Government spokesman says Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash "is being judged and does not judge"

[04] Cross-party parliamentary committee agrees on IGC tactics, except for KKE

[05] Foreign minister meets Baroness Scotland at British Embassy dinner

[06] Foreign ministers on cooperation in southeastern Europe to discuss developments in Balkans, Serbia and Kosovo

[07] Papandreou to host Balkan, EU dignitaries in Spetses next week

[08] Rodopi PASOK deputy supports Moslem's rights to sign ID's in roman letters

[09] Greece begins dialogue to boost employment

[10] Papantoniou meets EU Commissioner

[11] PriceWaterhouseCoopers expands into real estate in Greece

[12] Free treatment for foreign patients to cost taxpayers 50 billion drachmas

[13] More than 200 companies seek listing on ASE

[14] Merchant marine minister, industry agree talks agenda

[15] Greek market holds above the 3,900-point level

[16] EU Commission takes recourse against Greece over ouzo spirit

[17] Ambassador's reception for 32 Greek Fulbright scholars

[18] Laliotis: Gov't seeks 'political, social consent' for 2004 Olympics

[19] NBC president heads delegation in visit to Athens Olympic facilities

[20] President Clerides returns after adjournment of proximity talks

[21] IFJ official to investigate Turkish Cypriot newspaper affair

[01] Emergency government meeting decides drastic measures to combat fires

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

After the meeting, which lasted an hour and 15 minutes, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou said these measures included:

Putting the armed forces on full alert to free up fire-fighting forces, asking for help from abroad, hiring more fire-fighting aircraft and the emergency hiring of seasonal staff with previous experience in fighting forest fires.

After an earlier meeting this afternoon, again chaired by Simitis, the prime minister had described the situation in Greece as "particularly dangerous, exceptionally dangerous."

Interior Minister Papandreou noted that the next few days would be difficult because of the extreme weather conditions. Fire-fighting forces needed reinforcing, she added, since "their constant, superhuman efforts had pushed them beyond their limits and they are now in danger of collapsing from exhaustion".

The minister said that recruitment of 1500 extra fire fighters would begin on Friday, and that they would be chosen from the lists of the Supreme Council for Staff Selection (ASEP).

She further said that the armed forces would carry out constant patrols on land, sea and by air, while they will also supply the fire brigade with men and equipment wherever needed.

Help will be sought from the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Germany and other countries in a position to help, since all the countries in south Europe were facing similar problems themselves.

Asked whether the fires might be the result of generalized arson, given the multiple fronts, Papandreou replied that "we on no account believe that there is some overall plan. But many of the fires are not accidental."

Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, who accompanied Papandreou, said that strong winds had made it difficult for aircraft to fly and they had been of little help to forces on the ground. He underlined that efforts would be made to save settlements and citizens' properties.

He also appealed to the public to try to keep up the morale of fire fighters, many of whom had been battling with the flames on a 24-hour basis and were suffering health problems as a result.

Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister George Papandreou, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Environment Minister Costas Laliotis, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas and Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris, the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Lieutenant General George Paragioudakis, Fire Brigade Chief Panagiotis Fourlas and the general secretary of the cabinet Socratis Kosmidis.

In statements made after his meeting with competent ministers on Thursday afternoon, Simitis had said that the fires had been foreseen by both a European Union special service and by the government, which "had prepared accordingly."

The prime minister also said that fire-fighters were "making superhuman efforts, doing the best, I believe, that can be done...I hope that we will manage to control the situation. It needs effort and we will make it."

Simitis also announced that he would not be visiting the fire-stricken island of Samos, as he had earlier pledged.

"The visit to Samos presupposes that there are no problems elsewhere. Because problems exist at this time, I will stay here and monitor developments," he said.

Wildfires re-emerge across Greek countryside, smoke over Athens: The government put the number of new or rekindled wildfires across Greece at more than 100 Thursday afternoon, while a blaze in western Attica fanned dense smoke over the Greek capital.

Scorching temperatures and northerly winds worsened conditions around the country, with wildfires reported near Corinth and the resort community of Agii Theodori, west of Athens.

Police reported that traffic on the Athens-Corinth national highways was interrupted in the afternoon.

On Samos, brisk summertime winds rekindled the flames of an immense blaze that ravaged the eastern Aegean holiday island for six days before being partially contained Wednesday.

A force of nearly 1,000 fire fighters remained on Samos to tackle the resurgent flames, while water was being airdropped along the entire burnt area.

Another blaze was raging for the second day in Kiato, on the Peloponnese's northern coast, and was approaching several nearby villages, while 25 homes in the nearby-evacuated village of Pitsa were burned. Traffic on the Patra-Athens national highway was also interrupted on Thursday because of a nearby forest fire.

In the neighboring prefecture of Achaia, another major fire was blazing at four fronts along a pine-tree forest at Ano Diakofto, and was approaching the villages of Katholiko and Kastro. Elsewhere, a blaze burned out of control near Kalavryta. In Fthiotida prefecture, a two-front fire was blazing at Makrykomi since being rekindled Wednesday.

In Ioannina, the only fire that still burned was in the mountains of Konitsa, and had spread to two fronts in Samarina in Grevena, and threatened the Valia Kirna national forest. Fires were also burning in Evia, at Politika in Halkida, and at the Kallithea community in the prefecture of Fokida.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on Thursday told reporters that Prime Minister Costas Simitis' tentatively scheduled tour of fire-stricken Samos had been postponed. The spokesman made the announcement after a top Cabinet meeting focusing on the issue of forest fires had adjourned. In earlier comments on Thursday, the Greek premier said his tour of Samos was dependent on whether other wildfires around the country had been extinguished.

Reppas stated that some 11,500 hectares of rural expanses have been burned by the latest wildfires, whereas he again blamed "arson and high temperatures", among others, as behind the blazes.

Two passenger shippers offer vessels in fire-fighting drive: Passenger shippers Minoan Flying Dolphins and GA Ferries on Thursday sent a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis offering the use of their vessels and crew to transport fire-fighting equipment and vehicles to island trouble spots.

In addition, the two companies are offering a 20 percent discount on passenger fares to the island of Samos, badly hit by forest fires over the last week.

[02] Hilfe company makes positive evaluation of political and economic situation in Greece

LONDON, 14/07/2000 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Among other positive evaluations for Greece, the report says Prime Minister Costas Simitis is categorical in that Greece should become a regional economic and political power having real influence in the European Union. This should be achieved before the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, which will provide Greece with the opportunity to promote a positive image abroad.

The government will speed up the programmed of structural changes in the economy and will follow a more aggressive policy regarding the privatization of state-run corporations. It will also strengthen the social character of economic policy, while prospects for the Greek economy in 2000 are better than in 1999 and the future also appears to be positive.

Simitis' experience and responsibility gave his PASOK party victory with a narrow margin in the general elections held in April. It was a personal victory for him, the report said, adding that the new Greek government is securing continuation in the sectors of the economy and foreign policy and has been strengthened with new technocrats.

The position of main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis was openly thrown into doubt despite the fact his party increased its percentage of the vote in the elections. His future will be judged by local elections to be held in 2002, the report also said.

Rapprochement between Greece and Turkey is expected to continue and it will be strengthened by economic benefits for both sides.

One of the challenges posed for the Greek government, the report concluded, is cracking down on terrorism, particularly after the recent murder of British military attache Stephen Saunders in Athens. Greece's partners are expecting mobility on this issue.

[03] Government spokesman says Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash "is being judged and does not judge"

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Reppas was commenting on criticism directed at members of the Greek government by Denktash that they were interfering in the Cyprus proximity talks, which adjourned in Geneva on Wednesday.

Reppas added that Denktash should comply with UN Security Council resolutions and contribute to a solution to the Cyprus issue, which he is not doing but, on the contrary, he is undermining.

[04] Cross-party parliamentary committee agrees on IGC tactics, except for KKE

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The committee meeting, which was also attended by Alternate Foreign Minister Elisavet Papazoi, examined a series of issues related to the changes to EU institutions that the IGC will discuss, such as doing away with full unanimity in decision-making, joint foreign policy and defense and others.

In a written statement by its deputy Antonis Skyllakos, the KKE party voiced its opposition to all the proposed changes and to the entire process of European unification. According to KKE, accepting reinforced cooperation and the application of reinforced majorities would mean accepting the institutionalized "captaincy" of the more powerful countries at the expense of weaker ones. European enlargement with the retention of a maximum limit of 700 deputies in the European Parliament, he added, would be detrimental to the smaller political forces that oppose or question the EU and its choices.

[05] Foreign minister meets Baroness Scotland at British Embassy dinner

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Apart from bilateral cooperation in general, Papandreou and Baroness Scotland are expected to focus on issues related to cooperation in combatting terrorism - particularly the on-going investigation into the murder of Brig. Stephen Saunders who was killed in Athens on June 8 by the terrorist group "November 17". A team from Scotland Yard is currently in Athens to assist the Greek police with their investigation.

In statements made in London prior to her departure, Baroness Scotland underlined that her visit to Greece was taking place at a time when there was intense concern over Saunders' murder in both the Greek and British governments.

She said police authorities in both countries were still working together closely to bring the perpetrators of this "senseless and barbaric crime" to justice.

She also said she was very touched by the messages of sympathy and support sent to the Brigadier's family by many Greeks, and that she would be meeting with Greek and British Embassy staff while in Athens.

Apart from the foreign minister, Baroness Scotland will meet with Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos and New Democracy deputy in charge of foreign affairs and defense, Dora Bakoyianni.

No definite evidence yet reveals 'November 17' members, Reppas says: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on Thursday told reporters that there was no evidence linking any one person with "November 17", the terrorist group that took responsibility for the killing of Brig. Stephen Saunders, a British military attache in Athens.

Two men riding a motorbike killed Saunders while driving his car on a busy Athens boulevard.

Reppas was commenting on publications that claimed that the Greek police and Scotland Yard, who are collaborating in the investigation of Saunders' murder, had drawn up a list of 20 suspected members of "November 17".

Asked whether the British police officers would stay on in Greece to continue the investigation into Saunders' murder, Reppas replied that the Greek government had no objection to their remaining.

[06] Foreign ministers on cooperation in southeastern Europe to discuss developments in Balkans, Serbia and Kosovo

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Ismail Cem, Albania, Paskal Milo, FYROM, Alexander Dimitrov, Bulgaria, Nadezda Mikhailova, Romania, Petre Roman, and Hungary, Yannos Martoni, will also be participating in the meeting.

According to diplomatic sources, Papandreou will be having private meetings with Cem, Milo and Mikhailova on the sidelines of the meeting.

[07] Papandreou to host Balkan, EU dignitaries in Spetses next week

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Among others, the meeting will be attended by the Foreign Ministers of Germany Joschka Fischer and the Czech Republic Jan Kavan, as well as Portuguese European Affairs Minister Francisco Seijas Dacosta and Kate Clerides, a member of the Cypriot National Assembly.

On July 24, Papandreou will attend the Conclave of EU foreign ministers on the Intergovernmental Conference, while on July 27-28 a conference of Greek ambassadors accredited abroad will be held in Athens for a briefing and an exchange of views.

Apart from Papandreou, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis have been invited and will attend the conference.

[08] Rodopi PASOK deputy supports Moslem's rights to sign ID's in roman letters

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

According to Galip, certain police officials insisted that the state-issued identity card be signed in Greek letters.

[09] Greece begins dialogue to boost employment

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Giannitsis told reporters after an inner cabinet meeting that the dialogue would last around two and a half months and that if no agreement was reached by then the government would proceed to legislative adjustments.

The meeting adopted proposals by the labor minister for a framework to be used by the government as a basis for talks with its social partners.

This framework envisages:

a) reducing overtime through flexible working hours

b) reducing labor costs by subsidizing employers' contributions to the social security system for new workers entering the job market.

Giannitsis pledged that any losses arising for social security funds would be covered by the state. Ministry officials predict that this measure will result in the creation of 30-40,000 new jobs at zero cost, as the social security system would receive more funds.

c) changing the law on mass lay-offs. Employers have called for abolition of a 2.0 percent ceiling on group lay-offs, a demand not backed by the labor ministry.

d) more flexible working hours

e) boosting labor market inspections.

Giannitsis said that in contrast with Greece, other European Union states were trying to boost employment through non-protectionist policies that reduced labor costs and created new jobs.

The government aimed, he said, to create 300,000 new jobs on a net basis taking into account job losses, a figure close to a pre-election pledge by the ruling PASOK government.

Giannitsis said that the labor ministry was against implementation of a 35-hour week in the country and stressed that the labor ministry would not risk the future of hundreds of small- and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of Greek output.

He dismissed talk that the government would promote the idea of 35-hour week as a counterbalance for its proposal for more flexible working hours, in order to appease unions.

Giannitsis said that part-time work might be used to boost employment in the broader public sector, but not in the narrow public sector.

He also dismissed talk of disagreements between himself and National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

Papantoniou calls for flexible job market, lower unemployment: National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Thursday told the inner cabinet that the country needed greater flexibility in the labor market in order to boost employment.

The inner cabinet had met to discuss the labor ministry's proposals for a new policy framework on overhauling the job market that will be put to employers and unions for debate.

"The battle against unemployment is tantamount to our (successful) bid to join the euro zone," sources quoted Papantoniou as telling the meeting.

"Inflation, deficits, growth, privatization, the deregulation of markets - all are in the right direction. However, the major unsolved problem remains employment, and this is our main challenge in coming years," the minister was quoted as saying.

Unions blast gov't proposals: The General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) strongly criticized the government's policy framework on boosting employment.

GSEE, an umbrella group representing nearly a million workers in the private and public sectors, said in a statement that it rejected the orientation of the proposals.

Furthermore, the possibility of dialogue on the basis proposed by the government was doubtful, the statement added.

KKE, SYN charge allegiance with bosses: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) released a statement alleging that the government's proposals favored industrialists, ship owners and bankers, denying the rights of workers.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) accused the government of breaking pre-election pledges by complying with the wishes of employers.

[10] Papantoniou meets EU Commissioner

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The meeting in Athens focused on the Greek angle for the two projects, which Papantoniou raised during the meeting.

"We had a discussion on budget issues and especially matters of Greek interest," Papantoniou told reporters.

Schreyer said she would look into the request for creation of a natural disasters fund, to include earthquakes and forest fires, following a similar request from the Europarliament.

Papazoi and EU Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer discuss developments in EU: Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi and German European Union Commissioner Michaele Schreyer discussed issues of EU concern on Thursday, as well as developments in the EU concerning the process of preparing the EU's budget.

According to reports, Papazoi requested increased credits for the Balkans in the EU's new budget and a provision for necessary funds for the EU to handle natural disasters.

[11] PriceWaterhouseCoopers expands into real estate in Greece

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The group will offer integrated solutions both in the private and the public sectors to help in a more efficient use of their real estate assets.

Services will include the valuation of property, feasibility reports, search and ensuring of funding.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers operates in 150 countries around the world with a workforce of more than 155,000 employees.

[12] Free treatment for foreign patients to cost taxpayers 50 billion drachmas

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The Health Ministry issued two circulars on Thursday concerning health treatment for foreigners not coming from European Union countries, calling for hospitals to observe interstate agreements with each country separately. The type of hospital care is also defined, as well as the charge for aliens lacking green residence cards or who do not live permanently in the country.

Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos is alarmed over the phenomenon and has information showing that in state maternity hospitals alone eight out of 10 women coming to give birth are foreigners.

He is also aware that free surgery is provided to foreigners in many hospitals belonging to the National Health System (ESY), to the detriment of Greek citizens who often have to wait for months on waiting lists to undergo surgery.

[13] More than 200 companies seek listing on ASE

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The report said that a percentage of 70-80 percent of them were seeking listing on the parallel market for smaller capitalization stocks while only the remaining 20 percent were seeking listing on the main market.

Spyros Kouniakis, the Athens Stock Exchange's chairman, recently said that only 50 new companies would be listed on the market by the end of the year.

The rest are expected to be listed in 2001.

[14] Merchant marine minister, industry agree talks agenda

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

The talks' agenda includes: taxation, seamen training, the composition of crews, seamen social security, the restructuring of seamen registry and the operation of a sea-trade job placement office. Papoutsis said that the dialogue, beginning next Monday, was expected to be completed by the end of September.

[15] Greek market holds above the 3,900-point level

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Traders said the recovery of the market was a result of selective buying in bank shares while smaller capitalization stocks continued losing ground.

The general index ended at 3,926.73 points, up 0.16 percent with turnover a low 69 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for smaller capitalization stocks rose 0.62 percent to 2,186.82 points, while the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.36 percent to 563.01 points.

Analysts expect the market to remain range bound in the new few days awaiting fresh news and incentives to take a clear lead.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,395.09

+0.78% Leasing: 713.98 -3.30% Insurance: 2,515.01

-2.37% Investment: 1,605.00 -0.18% Construction: 2,086.57 -1.26% Industrials: 2,425.89 +0.18% Miscellaneous: 4,035.52 -1.01% Holding: 4,436.86

-0.77%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 1.88 percent lower at 726.25 points. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 233 to 86 with another 20 issues unchanged. Microland, Naoussa Spinning, Bank of Piraeus, Alpha Bank and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 13,600 Alpha Bank: 13,525 Commercial Bank: 15,550 Eurobank: 9,300 Lambrakis Press: 9,900 Heracles Cement: 7,300 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,180 Panafon: 4,055 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,815 Attica Enterprises: 3,720 Intracom: 12,570 Minoan Lines: 3,580 Hellenic Bottling: 5,365

Derivatives end mixed, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed on Thursday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.62 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.36 percent lower.

Turnover was 10.90 billion drachmas from 10.43 billion drachmas a day earlier.

A total of 1,033 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 4.49 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,874 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.41 billion drachmas.

Bonds sold in light to moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in light to moderate trade dominated by sellers.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.10 percent from 6.093 percent in the previous session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 83 basis points from 82 basis points a day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 57 billion drachmas from 162 billion drachmas in the previous trading session.

Sell orders accounted for 42 billion drachmas of turnover.

Drachma ends up vs. euro, down vs. dollar: The drachma on Thursday rose against the euro and fell versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 336.720 drachmas from 336.730 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 359.500 drachmas from 354.830 drachmas a day earlier.

[16] EU Commission takes recourse against Greece over ouzo spirit

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

In a relevant announcement, the Commission accuses Greece of implementing a 1993 law that allows a 50-percent tax break for ouzo, thereby favoring the colorless spirit over alcoholic beverages produced in other countries, such as gin, vodka, whiskey, rum etc.

The Commission charges that the lower rate is a clear discrimination in favor of Greece's ouzo production - a violation of Article 90 of the EU Treaty.

The Commission also referred to a ruling by the European Court in April 1991 (Case C-230/89), namely, that ouzo couldn't be favored over other spirits through a reduced tax rate.

The Commission noted that it decided to take recourse against Greece because a response from Athens, dated Aug. 6, 1999, was not satisfactory. According to Community law, the Commission has the right, within two months, to take recourse against a member-state when the latter does not fully respond to a justified ruling.

[17] Ambassador's reception for 32 Greek Fulbright scholars

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

According to Burns, 3,500 American and Greek academics have benefited from the Fulbright programmed since it began in 1948, and have been given the means to study in the US and vice versa, without facing the problem of tuition fees and living expenses.

This is also the first year that the "Yiannos Kranidiotis Scholarship" announced by US President Bill Clinton during his visit to Athens last November will be awarded. This scholarship was set up to commemorate the Greek deputy foreign minister from Cyprus, who had once been a Fulbright scholar himself.

[18] Laliotis: Gov't seeks 'political, social consent' for 2004 Olympics

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

"Major steps have been taken, but leaps are now necessary for us to project validity," Costas Laliotis told reporters.

In response to a question over the assumption of the 2004 organizing committee chairmanship by Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, the prominent figure who spearheaded Athens' successful campaign to host the 2004 Olympics, Laliotis noted that her "presence is significant for the promotion of the event".

He also said his cooperation with Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was "harmonious and effective".

In late June, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis appointed a new board of directors for the 2004 organizing committee, following the resignation of the organizations then managing director, Costas Bakouris.

Simitis following deliberations with Angelopoulou-Daskalaki subsequently appointed a new board.

Stinging criticism by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in mid May, targeted at organizers' preparations for the 2004 Games, generated a high-level shake-up and "warning bells" for the government and ministries directly involved in Olympic activities. At the time, the powerful IOC chief tersely said that the Athens 2004 summer games would be in "danger" unless Greek organizers made "drastic" changes by the end of the year.

However, he later qualified his warning at a press conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, by saying: "I cannot imagine the games will not be held in Athens... We hope after this warning all things will be in the right way."

[19] NBC president heads delegation in visit to Athens Olympic facilities

Athens, 14/07/2000 (ANA)

Led by the network's president Randy Falco, the delegation will hand over $850 million, or 280 billion drachmas, to the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Organizing Committee chairwoman Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, who said she hopes for a close and fruitful cooperation over the next four years for the best promotion of the Games, while she also wished NBC the best of luck in Sydney, welcomed the NBC executives.

After being shown around the Panathenian Stadium and the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA) facilities, the NBC president said only that he was absolutely satisfied with the overall picture he formed after his meeting with the members of the Organizing Committee.

[20] President Clerides returns after adjournment of proximity talks

NICOSIA, 14/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, the President also said he had already called a meeting for July 18 of the National Council, the advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, to brief them of the proceedings.

President Clerides said the talks were adjourned on Wednesday after his "pressing insistence", because UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, had said he would give the two sides a week to present their positions and then take a two-day break to gather a set of thoughts for discussion.

He said he had told Annan that he was bound to discuss anything presented to the Greek Cypriot side with the National Council before responding, noting that Annan wanted to continue the talks until July 17 so that he could have both sides' reaction.

He also referred to the intention of Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to leave the talks on July 15 or 17 to return to the island for celebrations commemorating the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

President Clerides said his position was written down as being strictly opposed to adjourning the talks "for Denktash to celebrate the Turkish invasion of our homeland".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island. Two rounds of UN-led proximity talks have been held since December and a third was wrapped up on Wednesday in Geneva, aiming at preparing the ground for substantive talks leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Responding to questions, President Clerides clarified that the United Nations had not submitted any document, but had dictated their thoughts, which were in turn jotted down by the two sides.

He said that with his thoughts, the UN chief aimed at "measuring the reaction of either side", noting that these points, which did not go into much detail covered the four core issues of the Cyprus problem, namely territory, property, distribution of powers and security.

Asked if he thought the third round of talks was necessary, President Clerides said it was, because "this round will lead to a new one on July 24, which will be much more substantive, and then to a substantive dialogue on September 12 until the first weeks of October".

[21] IFJ official to investigate Turkish Cypriot newspaper affair

NICOSIA, 14/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus Union of Journalists President Andreas Kannaouros, told CNA, Sarah de Jung will seek to visit "Avrupa's" chief editor Sener Levent and the other journalists detained in the Turkish-occupied areas, as well as the Turkish Cypriot newspaper's offices.

She will also seek a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish Cypriot party leaders, in order to convey to them, "the protest of the international journalists' family against the prosecution of Avrupa and its journalists and to demand their immediate release and an end to the persecution of the newspaper," Kannaouros said.

De Jung will also seek a meeting with UN officials on the island and will have meetings with representatives of the Cyprus Union of Journalists and the Union of Turkish Cypriot journalists.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article