Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] EMU entry a milestone towards further progress - Simitis

[02] Reactions to PM's inaugural address at TIF

[03] Main opposition to keep away from TIF opening ceremony in protest

[04] Ecumenical Patriarch bestows his blessing on 65th TIF

[05] Cyprus problem tops Greece's national agenda, says Kaklamanis

[06] US ambassador lauds US-Greek relations, Greek accomplishments

[07] Papandreou says Greece will not negotiate its sovereign rights

[08] Reppas frowns on 'Hurriyet' report, questions motives behind it

[09] No European funds for Turkish military, Verheugen says

[10] Greek ambassador in Turkey calls for return of Imvros Greeks

[11] Deputy environment minister due in Skopje to sign memorandum on environment

[12] Premier hails 26th anniversary of establishment of PASOK

[13] Reppas counters ND claims of 'transparency-deficit' in electronic media

[14] Church announces referendum for Sept. 14 for gathering signatures in relation to ID issue

[15] Vartholomeos proclaims beginning of new millennium

[16] Commercial Bank shows 33 pct profit rise in January-July

[17] Izmir trade official says Greek-Turkish detente has aided joint ventures

[18] OTE workers call rolling strike to protest tabled amendment

[19] Two migrants killed in minefield at Evros border

[20] One dead, another injured in dynamite fishing accident

[21] Body of Ukrainian sailor found

[22] Armed robber takes off with Drama primary schools payroll

[23] Albanian drug smugglers arrested after shootout at sea

[24] Clerides says 'it is difficult to speak about prospects' at proximity talks

[25] Kyprianou says UN needs to re-assert its role and effectiveness

[26] Two Greek Cypriots released from Turkish-occupied areas

[01] EMU entry a milestone towards further progress - Simitis

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

"The country has come a long way from the fall of the dictatorship to the present full functioning of democratic institutions and economic stability ... EMU is not the end of the road but a milestone from which we start to break new ground," he said in his inaugural address at this year's 65th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF).

Simitis said a lot more remains to be done, as the country needs a more competitive economy and an upgrading of its infrastructure to meet modern requirements, but, above all, bringing down unemployment and promoting efficiency, quality of services and procedures friendly to the citizen, in education and health.

"None of us can be happy as long as there are unemployed people ... The effort for the attainment of our objectives is not completed in a four-year term. The major social changes we seek will require about ten years," he said.

One of the two main focal points for the government in coming years will be the continuation of the present foreign policy, which has brought Greece to the center of international developments and has allowed not to backtrack into introspection or past tribulations.

"The other focal point, on which the country's strength is based, concerns the overall economic and social performance, as this strengthens and promotes its position," Simitis said.

Referring to the Olympic Games of 2004, which will take place in Athens, Simitis said the challenge was not merely technical but demanded the impeccable organization of a global event and the development of modern Greece before the eyes of the world.

The prime minister also said that recent protests by the Church of Greece against the government's abolition of the reference to religious faith on identity cards and accompanying claims that the measure marked a departure from the established features of the national identity were misguided.

"The identity card is a certificate of public authority, completely irrelevant to our religious faith, our historical identity and our existence as Greeks... The question that must concern us in this debate is what elements of our history, tradition and way of life contribute to our objective /of making Greece a developed, modern and free country," he said.

Simitis is scheduled to deliver the customary annual economic speech marking the opening of TIF at 21:30 on Saturday, and attend a press conference at 13:30 on Sunday before returning to Athens.

[02] Reactions to PM's inaugural address at TIF

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The Coalition of the Left and Progress said in an statement that "the prime minister failed to show as a new vision for Greece his insistence on the same deadlocked anti-social policy which he has been consistently enforcing over a period of years."

[03] Main opposition to keep away from TIF opening ceremony in protest

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The decision follows up last week's joint announcement by Thessaloniki MP's, in which they accused the government of "degrading the quality of life of Thessalonians" and of "tragic delays in developing the city," and had proposed ND's abstention from the TIF inaugural events to the party's leadership.

[04] Ecumenical Patriarch bestows his blessing on 65th TIF

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The Patriarch's message noted that the internationally well known exhibition facilitates the communication and cooperation between peoples, re-enforcing the element of peace and prosperity for all humanity.

[05] Cyprus problem tops Greece's national agenda, says Kaklamanis

NEW YORK,02/09/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

He described the Cyprus issue as "the number one national problem" and stressed that the Cyprus issue is not a matter of concern for only part of Hellenism.

"It is wrong to say Cyprus is far away," he concluded.

Kaklamanis met Cyprus House President Spyros Kyprianou, on the sidelines of the New York conference of presiding officers of national parliaments, and discussed with him developments in the peace effort.

"Kofi Annan has established that no progress has been achieved in the UN talks and he intends to call on the two parties (in Cyprus) to enter into discussions on the substance of the problem," he said.

This, he pointed out, is a positive development and will demonstrate clearly which side will respond to calls to respond. He said Turkey is undermining every disposition and desire of the world community to solve the Cyprus question for the sake of peace and stability in the region.

[06] US ambassador lauds US-Greek relations, Greek accomplishments

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The US has been chosen as the honored country and is participating with exhibits by 40 firms, in the largest ever pavilion to be occupied by US businesses.

"This year's Fair is special and unique for several other important reasons. First, it takes place at a moment of economic triumph for the Greek government: the country will soon enter the EMU (European Monetary Union), it is enjoying a period of economic growth and prosperity, and it is preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games. All of Greece's friends applaud this new Greek economy," Burns said.

"Second the selection of the US as honored nation symbolizes a renaissance in US-Greek relations over the past few years. I can say, as Ambassador, that the relationship between our governments is stronger, deeper and more trusting than in a very long time, " he added.

He lauded examples of US-Greek cooperation, noting that "our troops serve together in Bosnia and in Kosovo. Both of our countries support the development of democracy in Serbia. We both support the Middle East peace process, and we are full partners of NATO."

"On economic issues, we are successfully reviving a relationship that had fallen on hard times," Burns said, adding "In the post-Cold War world of the 21st century, economic ties are the most important barometer of any two countries' relations. That is why I have focused on re-building our economic relations as my first and most important priority in the last three years. We had fallen to low depths in the 1980's, but now we see many positive trends."

"The Greek economy has experienced impressive reforms under Prime Minister (Costas) Simitis' leadership and we see a revitalized business sector...US companies in Greece provide Greeks with over 8,000 jobs. That figure will grow quickly in the next few years," he said and listed a few of the US businesses that have invested in Greece.

Burns also made mention of Greek-US cultural exchanges and US support for the Greek Olympic Baseball team, the first to ever be established in Greece.

[07] Papandreou says Greece will not negotiate its sovereign rights

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Friday reiterated Greece's steadfast positions in response to statements made by his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Ankara.

Papandreou, who arrived here early Friday afternoon to attend an informal European Union Foreign Ministers' meeting over the weekend, said that Greece always supports dialogue and the political resolution of differences through peaceful means as prescribed by the United Nations Charter.

Papandreou said that the Greek government, like any other government in the world, has no intention of negotiating the country's sovereign rights.

The Greek foreign minister reiterated Greece's known position that the only difference existing with Turkey concerns the issue of the Aegean continental shelf.

Papandreou noted that Greece's policy is based on respect of international law and international treaties and on the decisions of the E.U. summit in Helsinki last December.

In an interview in Ankara earlier on Friday, Cem said that he was "very satisfied" with the course of Greek-Turkish relations, adding that Turkey was ready to discuss issues related to the Aegean "provided that the Greek side declares the same [readiness]."

Cem also referred to what he called the "rapprochement between the peoples of the two countries," saying that "the peoples could arrive at such a point of rapprochement that it will be impossible for the politicians to reverse this course."

Speaking on the Aegean issue, the Turkish minister said that Ankara was ready to enter in negotiations "within the framework of international law" and said the basis for the talks would be "article 33 of the UN Charter" and "the fourth paragraph of the Helsinki E.U. Summit conclusions" referring to Greek and Turkish relations. This article deals with negotiations, mediation, arbitration and recourse to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Cem ruled out talks on the Cyprus problem, however, saying that this was a matter that concerned the two sides on Cyprus and "cannot be examined within the context of bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece."

[08] Reppas frowns on 'Hurriyet' report, questions motives behind it

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The paper had suggested that Rozakis was responsible for the European Court's decision to throw out an appeal by

Islamist former Turkish prime minister Necmettin Erbakan, who was seeking a reversal of a Turkish court decision banning his Islamist party.

[09] No European funds for Turkish military, Verheugen says

BRUSSELS, 02/09/2000 (ANA- G. Zitouniati)

"The European Commission never funded and will never fund any activity connected in any way with the activities of the Turkish military, while it has no intention of examining even the slightest proposed plan for funding the military sector," Verheugen said.

Press reports noting that Turkish Armed Forces General Asparuk proposed the funding of a new plan for the Turkish military deployed in southeast Turkey, using E.U. funds stemming from the accession process of that country to the EU, prompted the question by Souladakis.

[10] Greek ambassador in Turkey calls for return of Imvros Greeks

ANKARA, 02/09/2000 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

Korantis told the ANA that "the behavior of Turkish authorities towards ethnic Greeks on Imvros would be judged mainly using European criteria for the issue of minority rights."

In August Korantis had visited the island for three days to attend the traditional August 15 festival that draws Imvros islanders from all over the world, pushing up the islands current ethnic Greek population of 300 to roughly 2,500.

[11] Deputy environment minister due in Skopje to sign memorandum on environment

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The memorandum was drafted jointly by the environment ministries of Greece and FYROM and reflects the will of both countries to protect the natural and man-made environment.

[12] Premier hails 26th anniversary of establishment of PASOK

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

"On Sunday Sept. 3rd 26 years will have been completed since the birth of PASOK. Twenty-six years of hard struggles, everyday action and great contribution to the people and the country," Simitis said.

"The establishment of PASOK by its late president and our leader Andreas Papandreou sealed the course and history of this land. It overturned the political status quo of the pre-dictatorship period, it made an essential break with the political life of the country and embraced the wider political spectrum of the progressive forces."

"PASOK, in its 26 years, contributed to changing Greece's shape. It created new ideological orientations, it established new social priorities and delineated the course for changes in Greek society, which it achieved," he added.

"The struggle for the transformation of society begun in 1974 and continues today and tomorrow. The reforms and changes have led to a considerable modernization of our economy and society, mainly aiming at the creation of a modern and viable social state in combating unemployment, upgrading education, healthcare, public administration and life in rural areas and the city.

"Today Greece stands - on its own strength - with the group of the most developed and powerful countries of the world. Greece is a strong country with a healthy economy, with respectability and international recognition with a stable democracy.

"We, in PASOK, have vision and plans to respond to the challenges and needs stemming from the globalization of the market, the unification of Europe, the explosive development of technologies, the changes on an international level.

"We undertake the grand responsibility to honor the trust of the Greek people, who on April 9th appointed us for the fifth time over the past 20 years to govern the country. PASOK is the movement of renewal, continuation, maturity, of new prospects and new ideas. We are open to society, we depend on the live forces of the nation, the productive forces of the country, the young people, who are have momentum and courage, the active citizens.

"We are entering the 21st century with optimism and trust in progressive ideas. With trust in the forces of production and creation. With trust in the working people. Greece of the 21st century is in great need of PASOK," he said.

He concluded noting that "Greece and Hellenism have a live present and a hopeful future."

[13] Reppas counters ND claims of 'transparency-deficit' in electronic media

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas noted that none of the opposition parties had yet proposed any specific and backed-up proposal for dealing with issues involving the media, before launching into a counter-attack and slamming ND's own record in broadcast media regulation.

Asked if the government was aware that certain radio and television station owners were at the same time involved in business transactions with the public sector, the spokesman replied that the checks carried out by the National Broadcasting Council (ERS) had not revealed any such links, that shareholders in the broadcast media were known, as were their sources of income. "If you have evidence to the contrary," he added, "you should give it to the services involved so that they can do their job."

[14] Church announces referendum for Sept. 14 for gathering signatures in relation to ID issue

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

In statements to the press, Chairman of the Referendum Committee Metropolitan of Nafpactos Ierotheos said "the Church is always open to dialogue with the state."

"The (three-member Referendum) Committee, following many meetings, proposed to request the gathering of signatures petitioning a plebiscite and not signatures requesting the voluntary note of religious affiliation (on the identification cards). This action is within the institutional framework, without creating problems. Thus church temples are not transformed into balloting centers, nor do we come in confrontation with the government".

According to the Ierotheos the Church has not set a specific number of signatures as a limit or ceiling, but he noted the cases of the Italian and Swiss constitutions were 500.000 and 50.000 signatures are respectively needed for such action.

The church aims to force a referendum on whether Greek citizens may have the option of listing religious preference on new police-issued identification cards.

The divisive issue of abolishing the category from new ID cards surfaced in June when the government announced that religious affiliation, among others, classified as a citizen's personal data. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece, conversely, vehemently criticized the decision and has called for a referendum in the predominately Orthodox Christian country of more than 10 million.

[15] Vartholomeos proclaims beginning of new millennium

The official start of the new millennium began on Friday for Christian Orthodox peoples everywhere as Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos signed the Patriarchal and Synodic Act of the Church announcing the beginning of the new Orthodox year of 2001.

The new year for the Orthodox Church begins on September 1st instead of January 1st, thus following a millennia old tradition tracing back to the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Several metropolitans from the Autocephalous Church of Greece were present and countersigned the Act opening the Church yearbook of the new millennium, and were also present for the first mass held at the beginning of the new year.

At the end of the service a message from Patriarch Vartholomeos was read out, regarding the results of an international conference held at the Patriarchate between Aug. 28 and 31, entitled "The Creation of the World and the Creation of Man", dealing with environmental issues.

September 1 was established as "Natural Environment Day" by the Orthodox Churches under Patriarch Demetrius in March, 1992.

[16] Commercial Bank shows 33 pct profit rise in January-July

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

Newly appointed Stournaras told a news conference before the start of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair that a key priority was to improve the bank's service to customers. At the same time, Commercial intended to further improve profitability and boost its market share. The blue-chip bank, which is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, currently holds third place in terms of loans and deposits. Stournaras also said that a restructuring was being planned that aimed to reduce the number of the bank's divisions, currently at 60.

The restructuring would involve Commercial's branch network, staff and subsidiaries, and management was considering a voluntary retirement scheme, he added.

Details of the restructuring plan are to be released by the end of the year.

Furthermore, the bank would recruit 10 senior executives from the market. Three appointments had already been decided, including Dimitris Moschos of the Bank of Greece as Commercial's chief economist, Stournaras said.

Finally, the bank would give priority to internet banking as part of its strategic alliance with Credit Agricole de France, he added.

[17] Izmir trade official says Greek-Turkish detente has aided joint ventures

ISTANBUL, 02/09/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Demitras noted that the annual balance of trade between Greece and Turkey reached at US$700 million and expressed the hope that until the end of the year this number will rise to US$ 1 billion.

[18] OTE workers call rolling strike to protest tabled amendment

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The OTE workers' union, OME - OTE, is also planning rallies and marches in the center of Athens and warned that strike action could escalate. According to the union's president, OTE workers are determined to prevent the privatization of "the nation's biggest, modern form of capital, which is public telecommunications." The Thessaloniki branch of the union carried out a rally in the city on Friday, and a march to the Macedonia-Thrace ministry that was attended by the president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), Christos Polyzogopoulos.

[19] Two migrants killed in minefield at Evros border

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

The two, who were killed instantly from the mine explosion, were identified as Omer Toprac, 22, and Ilias Ergur, 26.

The men had swam in dense darkness across the Evros River and on reaching land were not aware of the existence of the fenced minefield.

Three days ago another Turk was killed in the same minefield while attempting to enter the country.

[20] One dead, another injured in dynamite fishing accident

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

Authorities were notified of the explosions in the region, but when they reached the area they found Panagiotis Kyberis, 24 seriously wounded and transported him to an Athens Hospital. Later in the day, a vacationer diving in the area found the body of Ioannis Thanasenas at a depth of 15 meters, apparently the victim of the blast that injured his companion Kyberis.

[21] Body of Ukrainian sailor found

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

Authorities recovered the body of Volodimir Krasilnikov, 49, one of the 15 crew members who were missing, after the "Eurobulker 10" split in two and sank while it was being loaded with cement at Lefkanti bay in Evia.

The ministry source said there were several injuries and missing persons among the cargo ship's 15-member crew comprising three seamen from India and 12 from the Ukraine.

[22] Armed robber takes off with Drama primary schools payroll

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

Drama Schools employee George Hatzigeorgiadis testified that an unknown man of average height, wearing a baseball cap and shorts, immobilized him and held a gun to his jaw before grabbing the bag with the payroll.

The alarm was raised by school teacher Athanasios Matas, who had accompanied Hatzigeorgiadis, but the robber managed to push Hatzigeorgiadis away and run a short distance to where an accomplice was waiting for him on a motorbike before either the bank guard or passers-by could intercept him.

The two men immediately took off in the direction of Kalambaki. Police in Drama, Kavala, Serres and Thessaloniki have launched a manhunt to find the robbers, so far without any results.

[23] Albanian drug smugglers arrested after shootout at sea

Athens, 02/09/2000 (ANA)

A Coast Guard spokesman told ANA that the Albanians opened fire on a patrol boat after ignoring calls by VHF to stop and identify themselves when the speedboat was spotted at dawn sailing without navigation lights in the sea region of Loutsa off Preveza.

The Coast Guard returned the fire, and the two Albanians, identified as Ilir Roboji, 25, and 18-year-old Razard Zipro, were injured. Roboji, who was initially taken to Preveza hospital and transfer-red to the Ioannina University Hospital, was reported in critical condition. Zidro suffered lighter injuries, hospital sources said.

A search of the vessel, which was towed to Preveza port, turned up 580 kilos of Indian cannabis hidden in small plastic bags of one kilo each.

Meanwhile, another Albanian was arrested Friday by customs officials at the Kakavia border post on the Greek-Albanian frontier after more than 800 kilos of hashish hidden in a secret compartment in the roof of a truck with Albanian license plates.

[24] Clerides says 'it is difficult to speak about prospects' at proximity talks

NICOSIA, 02/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is scheduled to start on September 12, in New York, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in 1974.

Invited to say what prospects the fourth round of talks held, President Clerides said "it is difficult to speak about prospects", adding that "if the Turkish Cypriot side maintains the same tactics, then this dialogue will have no result".

He also noted that Denktash insists on his bid for recognition of his pseudostate, before he enters negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem.

In November 1983, the occupation regime declared a UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence), which the UN has branded "legally invalid". The UN Security Council has called on all states not to recognize any other state but the Republic of Cyprus and not to facilitate the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime. Only Turkey recognizes the pseudostate.

Asked if he would be returning to Cyprus for October 1 celebrations for the independence of Cyprus, President Clerides said this would depend on developments in New York, noting that "if substantive negotiations are underway, thus opening a new prospect for a solution, then of course I will not interrupt the talks".

He furthermore said that Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides may address the UN General Assembly "if we are on the threshold of talks".

The president will depart from London for New York on September 3, where on September 6 he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly and will meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

On September 7, President Clerides will give a press conference and on the next day will meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

[25] Kyprianou says UN needs to re-assert its role and effectiveness

NEW YORK, 02/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing the Conference of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments, with the title "The Parliamentary Vision for International Cooperation on the Eve of the Third Millennium", Kyprianou highlighted the lack of progress in achieving the goals of the United Nations and the need for determined and decisive action in this direction.

He said the Conference "constitutes a landmark in the course of the efforts to advance international cooperation and the role of national parliaments as principal actors in this endeavor", that "the gathering provides also a unique opportunity to underline the need for the United Nations Organization to re-assert its role and effectiveness in releasing the goals set out in its Charter" and that "the Inter-Parliamentary Union shares these goals and rightly aspires to be the parliamentary partner of the United Nations".

Referring to Cyprus, Kyprianou said that it is " a vivid example of the failure of the international community and its multilateral organs to uphold international law and human rights", noting that "for over 26 years as a result of the continuing Turkish occupation of a substantial part of the territory of Cyprus, its people are being subjected to the most brutal violations of human rights".

He said "these crimes are tantamount to the abhorrent policy of ethnic cleansing, which in Cyprus began to be applied much earlier than the time this term was first coined".

"Situations such as the one persisting in Cyprus undermine international cooperation, peace and security and constitute dangerous precedents for similar violations of international law to surface in other parts of the world and remain unpunished", he said.

Kyprianou noted that "the role of cooperation between governments and between parliaments, as well as the operation of international organizations such as the United Nations, must be viewed precisely in this context" and that "if the international community and the United Nations in particular fail to implement international law and UN resolutions, then international co-operation lacks substance and the perpetrators of these violations are encouraged to adopt even more intransigent positions defying the UN and the collective will of the international community".

"This", he said, "is in actual fact the case in Cyprus, where the Turkish side refuses to abandon expansionist policies and utterly disregards international law and the pertinent UN resolutions", adding that "at the same time, Turkey, not feeling international pressure to abandon her intransigent stance, also engages in further provocations escalating tension".

[26] Two Greek Cypriots released from Turkish-occupied areas

NICOSIA, 02/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Stelios Taki Papadopoulos and Neofytos Michali Kadi, both aged 24, from Limassol, returned to the free areas of the Republic on Friday afternoon, accompanied by UN peacekeepers and were met at the Ledra Palace checkpoint by their families.

The Cyprus government had made representations to the United Nations to secure their release.

The two young men had been held illegally at a so-called police station in the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

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