Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier, President discuss oil crisis and effects on Greek economy

[02] Spokesman says Athens' positions the same as those of Cyprus

[03] Greek armed forces chief visits Ecumenical Patriarch

[04] Amnesty International says NATO violated war law during Kosovo operations

[05] Greek health minister visits Albania, announces donation of dialysis equipment

[06] Reppas backs Venizelos; says loopholes in transparency laws will be tightened during constitutional revision

[07] MPs raise questions on

[08] Papazoi says Cyprus' accession course towards EU is a catalyst for Cyprus issue

[09] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late alternate FM Kranidiotis

[10] Premier to visit agriculture ministry next week

[11] Communist party says holding a referendum is not part of the religious duties of the Church

[12] Greece to overhaul EU funds' absorption system

[13] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

[14] No further change in heating oil tax, Papantoniou says

[15] Money supply up 9.5 pct yr/yr in July

[16] Paschalidis outlines plans for Thessaloniki to northern Greek journalists

[17] Largest surviving section of Holy Cross brought to Athens from Jerusalem

[18] Port authority officer prosecuted for forging Eurobulker ownership documents

[19] EU Commission to take action over Greece's failure to clean up Lake Begoritida

[20] Parliament president sends messages to Greek Olympic Team

[21] President Clerides awaits clarifications from UN chief

[01] Premier, President discuss oil crisis and effects on Greek economy

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

After the meeting, part of regular contacts between the Premier and the President, Simitis said they had discussed "current affairs", adding that "the course of the Greek economy is a good one, but we must be cautious of certain phenomena, such as the rise in oil prices and the rise in the dollar".

"It is our intention that Greece will continue on the course it has embarked upon," Simitis told reporters after the more than one-hour-long meeting.

It was also the intention of the government and himself that the country "becomes more developed", Simitis said, adding that "we shall follow a policy to ensure that our country is in the front-line".

He said that during the recent UN millennium conference, Greece's international stature had been confirmed. "It was affirmed that Greece belongs to the group of European Union countries at the crux of the international system."

Greece, Simitis added, had good relations also with the lesser developed nations, and the important role it played in the region was affirmed during his talks in New York.

"We desire to be a force of peace in the region," he explained.

Greece faced problems of adaptation and growth, and the government was working hard to solve them so as to ensure a framework for the country to play an even bigger role in the European Union and the Balkans, the premier said.

[02] Spokesman says Athens' positions the same as those of Cyprus

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

"What is most important is for meaningful negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem to begin and it is on this level that everyone will be judged," Reppas told reporters.

He also said that the Cyprus government should be allowed to proceed in the way that it thought best.

Asked about the Greek government's positions on Annan's statements, Reppas said that this was "expressed in the positions being promoted by the Cypriot government."

[03] Greek armed forces chief visits Ecumenical Patriarch

ISTANBUL, 14/09/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Paragioudakis, accompanied by his wife and National Defense General Staff officers, expressed his emotion over his visit to the holy place and thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for the welcome he had with him.

Referring to NATO's meeting, Paragioudakis said the climate of cooperation with all his counterparts is very good, adding that discussions are focusing on the alliance's military issues.

Paragioudakis and staff chiefs of NATO member-states will observe exercises of the Turkish armed forces in the region of the Sea of Marmaris on Thursday, while on Friday he will attend the NATO Military Committee's session in Istanbul.

Kivrikoglu visits house where Kemal Ataturk was born in Thessaloniki: The head of the Turkish armed forces general staff, Gen. Hussein Kivrikoglu, currently in Greece to attend a NATO convention being held in Athens, on Wednesday took the opportunity to visit the house where Kemal Ataturk was born in Thessaloniki, which is situated within the courtyard of the Turkish Consulate.

The visit was carried out under draconian security measures and the Greek press and media were barred from covering it.

According to reports, the general spent approximately five minutes within the house and spent some time to write a message in the visitors' book when he emerged, expressing his faith in Kemal's principles and the democracy that he founded.

He also apparently expressed satisfaction over the state of repair of the house, saying it was in a better condition than he remembered on a previous visit in 1972.

Asked if he had had talks with Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, the Turkish general replied that they had simply chatted.

Kivrikoglu left for Thessaloniki airport immediately afterward, where they boarded a plane for Turkey, where the second half of the NATO convention is being held.

[04] Amnesty International says NATO violated war law during Kosovo operations

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

On the occasion of the annual session of NATO's Military Committee in Athens, it called on member-states to bring before justice whoever of their countrymen are suspects for serious violations according to international law, while victims of violations should be compensated.

NATO should also adopt an apparatus securing a single interpretation of rules of war meeting the paramount norms of international humanitarian law.

[05] Greek health minister visits Albania, announces donation of dialysis equipment

TIRANA, 14/09/2000 (ANA - I. Patso)

Greek Health and Welfare Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, who is on a two-day visit in the neighboring country, met with his Albanian counterpart Leonard Solis and discussed the increase of Greek aid toward healthcare in Albania.

"We discussed in depth our cooperation, which is very good, and decided to enrich its content...we examined the possibility of increasing the number of Albanian patients hospitalized in Greece for free, from the current 300 per year to 500 per year," Papadopoulos said.

He also noted that Greece decided to donate to Albania a dialysis machine to serve patients in that country, as Greek hospitals with dialysis equipment in regions bordering Albania can hardly serve the needs of Greek patients.

Papadopoulos noted that Greece is ready to donate the equipment and is waiting on Albania to provide a location for it.

Later in the day, Papadopoulos is expected to meet with Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta, while on Thursday he is expected in Gjirokaster.

[06] Reppas backs Venizelos; says loopholes in transparency laws will be tightened during constitutional revision

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

Regarding a ban on transactions with the public sector by family-members of the owners of mass media companies, Reppas said that a final decision would be taken during the discussion on revising the articles of the Constitution. He added that the government would discuss this matter with the other parties to scout out the areas of agreement.

[07] MPs raise questions on

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

The questions followed revelations in the press concerning the size of salaries earned by the five committee members appointed by "Athens 2004" head Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.

The deputies talked about "waste and oversize pay-packets that provoke public opinion," and demanded answers on the size of salaries and the jobs given by the "Athens 2004" organization.

ND deputy Miltiadis Evert talked about a "new yellow card" from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch to Greece, while PASOK deputies Panagiotis Kritikos, Nora Katseli and Stelios Papathemelis quipped that the "salary of ten million drachmas (per month) obviously corresponds to a gold medal."

Finally, ND deputy Sotiris Hatzigakis asked how the government intended to deal with the clash in the relations between Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos and the leadership of "Athens 2004".

Gov't spokesman says Pangalos' decision to stay in Athens, 'is not an issue': Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos' decision not to go to Sydney for the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics does not constitute an issue, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Wednesday, who reiterated that the Pangalos had the agreement of Prime Minister Costas Simitis to stay away.

[08] Papazoi says Cyprus' accession course towards EU is a catalyst for Cyprus issue

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

On his part, Vassiliou told reporters Cyprus' course towards Europe is the best reply to Turkish intransigence and the path to Europe has certainly opened following the decision taken at the Helsinki summit. He said Turkey should realize that it would be unable to stop Cyprus from this course.

Vassiliou said he and Papazoi discussed, among others, practical issues, as well as sectors in which Greece can be of help and specific steps which should be taken in the future to ensure that Cyprus' path to Europe will continue without obstacles and difficulties.

Papazoi said Cyprus has closed most negotiating chapters, adding that Cyprus is proceeding towards its accession to the EU at a speedy pace and, consequently, towards a speedy solution to the problem of Cyprus.

[09] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late alternate FM Kranidiotis

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

The conference, entitled "Cyprus before its accession to the European Union", is part of co-operative efforts of Greece and Cyprus for the unhindered accession of the island republic to the Union and the resolution of the Cyprus problem in a just and viable manner.

Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi delivered the opening remarks of the conference, which also included speakers from the academic and diplomatic field.

Papazoi noted that Cyprus is ahead of all other EU candidate member-states as it has already completed 16 of the 31 chapters of the acquis communitaire, adding that "the prospect of the unhindered accession of Cyprus to the EU, which begun to appear after the Luxembourg Summit, initiated very important developments regarding the Cyprus issue, after many years of stagnancy".

She added that Cyprus' accession is the best guarantee for security, democracy, economic and social development of the Turkish Cypriots and the respect of their cultural heritage.

Addressing the conference former Cyprus President George Vassiliou, who now heads the Cyprus EU accession team, said that the island republic's course to the EU proceeded normally, adding that every day that passes brings Cyprus a step closer to the Union.

"The European Union strongly wishes that the Cyprus issue is resolved, but it is careful not to allow Turkey to determine the course of developments. As long as Turkey refuses to promote a solution, which is in accordance with the United Nations' resolutions and with the principles determined by the report on Cyprus' accession prospect, it should understand that it (Turkey) can not keep Cyprus outside Europe," Vassiliou said.

[10] Premier to visit agriculture ministry next week

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said that there were numerous outstanding issues, which will be resolved during the visit of the premier at his ministry, including the allocation of European Union framework support funds for agriculture.

He also noted that by the end of September the ministry would have prepared proposals, or a complete bill, regarding water resources.

[11] Communist party says holding a referendum is not part of the religious duties of the Church

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

KKE said the leadership of the Church is using the religious faith of the people, as well as symbols and religious services, as means of consolidating privileges provided for it by its involvement with the state and called on working people, regardless of religious affiliations, not to support such actions.

KKE underlined the government's responsibilities in denying for years to proceed with the separation of the Church from the state and of moving between half-measures having an ambiguous aim.

In a similar announcement, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said the decision by the Church to collect signatures on the issue of identity cards is a move of political expediency, which does not serve any social, cultural or religious purpose.

The Coalition said that in this way the Church is aiming at exerting social pressure with the groundless argument that the Orthodox religion is being persecuted, adding that it is the responsibility of parties, agencies and citizens' movements to state their position on the issue publicly.

On the other hand, the Metropolitan of Samos and Ikaria Evsevios said that citizens have the right, according to the constitution, to request the holding of a referendum on such a serious issue, such as the listing of religion in the new identity cards.

He reiterated that the actions of the Church are within constitutional limits and that the collection of signatures is a simple proposal by citizens on the holding of a referendum.

[12] Greece to overhaul EU funds' absorption system

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

The plans were discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between the Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and National Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pachtas.

The new mechanisms are expected to promote mainly quality changes in the public sector and are expected to be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Papantoniou said the government would soon submit a draft bill in parliament and noted that EU funds, totalling 17.5 trillion drachmas by 2006, have been secured and that the new mechanisms would be designed to timely absorb these funds.

[13] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

Analysts said the market would seek support at the 3,900-3,950 levels in the short-term.

The general index ended 1.0 percent lower at 3,990.72 points, off the day's lows of 3.984.72 points and the day's highs of 4,120.34. Turnover was a subdued 96.75 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,273.39 points, off 0.93 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.26 percent to 540.41 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.82 percent lower at 632.88 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 182 to 150 with another 21 issues unchanged.

Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Viohalco, National Bank, Bank of Piraeus, Esha and Doudos were the most heavily traded stocks.

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.93 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.26 percent lower.

Turnover was 21.091 billion drachmas.

A total of 2,968 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 13.813 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,286 contracts changed hands on turnover of 7.278 billion drachmas.

Bond prices edge up in buy-oriented trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in thin, lackluster trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.064 percent, the same as in the two last sessions.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 77 basis points from 80 basis points a trading day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 30 billion drachmas from 32 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, buy orders accounted for 28.0 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma down vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Wednesday ended lower against the euro and higher versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 338.360 drachmas from 338.220 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 391.420 drachmas from 392.480 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[14] No further change in heating oil tax, Papantoniou says

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

He said that higher oil prices would not have an impact on economic growth rates but acknowledged that the inflation rate would be affected.

[15] Money supply up 9.5 pct yr/yr in July

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

July's rise was linked to capital inflows from abroad, while credit expansion showed a minor slowdown but remained at high levels, the Bank of Greece said in a statement.

A sharp rise was noted in repo deals and a decline in bank drachma and foreign currency deposits, the statement said.

[16] Paschalidis outlines plans for Thessaloniki to northern Greek journalists

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

He also pledged to give the Balkan Press Center financial support and infrastructure to host visiting journalists at Samothrace and Florina.

During the press conference, Paschalidis presented a "Strategic Plan for Thessaloniki's Viable Development" drawn up by a university team with the assistance of the Thessaloniki Regulatory Planning Organization. The minister said the plan aimed at a city with greater carrying capacity, rather than a larger population, particularly in relation to its traffic problems.

He once more reiterated, meanwhile, that planning for the city should have as its goals the organization of the EU Summit in 2003 and to win the EXPO 2007-2008 trade fair.

Paschalidis told reporters that his ministry planned to create a new service to monitor the course of public works, since it had joint responsibility with other ministries except in defense and justice.

Finally, regarding the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), he said that this year's trade fair should be the last held with the traditional form, and that the upcoming 66th TIF should have a specific theme - which he suggested should be new technologies.

[17] Largest surviving section of Holy Cross brought to Athens from Jerusalem

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

The relic arrived in arrived in Greece from Jerusalem on an Olympic Airways flight on Tuesday morning and was taken to the Athens Metropolitan Temple at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

It will remain in Athens until Sept. 25 for all faithful to visit at the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in the central Athens district of Plaka. It was accompanied by a metropolitan from the Jerusalem Patriarchate and was met by the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre, Metropolitan Irineos and a representative of the Athens Archdiocese.

This is the first time the relic that is usually kept in the ossuary at the Jerusalem Patriarchate, has come to Greece.

Reppas comments on start of unofficial Church referendum on ID cards on Thursday: "The end does not justify the means, particularly when the end is not all that justified," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Wednesday regarding the Church "referendum" on the identity-card issue that begins on Thursday.

The Orthodox Church of Greece disagrees with the government's decision to stop recording citizens religious beliefs on a police-issued identity card given to all citizens, asking that the practice be retained on an optional basis. It has decided to collect citizens' signatures in support of its positions at churches throughout the country as a sort of informal "referendum."

Asked to comment on an announcement by certain ruling PASOK parliamentary deputies that they intended to sign the Church's petition, the spokesman said only that each person "expresses his or her own views and is judged by them." He also reiterated that the collection of signatures by the Church was divisive.

[18] Port authority officer prosecuted for forging Eurobulker ownership documents

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

Eleftherios Vlahos was brought up on charges that he provided the owner of the sunken vessel with documents certifying that Stavros Ilias, the ship's owner, disclaimed ownership of the vessel on Aug. 21st, ten days before the ship sunk.

According to the prosecutor's office the forged certificate was actually logged on Sept. 5, in efforts to absolve the owner of any responsibility regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis visited Halkoutsi, one of the villages at the coast worst hit by the environmentally damaging oil spill and was briefed by locals on the damage caused.

He said that the government should support businesses and private citizens that recorded losses due to the oil spill, noting that fishermen and tourist enterprises recorded heavy losses.

The oil spill was a result of the sinking of the dry cargo vessel "Eurobulker 10", which snapped in two and sank off the coast of at Dilesi, northern Attica.

[19] EU Commission to take action over Greece's failure to clean up Lake Begoritida

BRUSSELS, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

Specifically, the Commission intends to send a second warning letter recommending that the Court's decision be carried out, in line with EU regulations for these matters.

European Commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom urged Greek authorities to double their efforts to fight pollution in the lake, saying that its clean up had been delayed.

The EU directive on dangerous substances, on which the court's decision was based, is one of the oldest pieces of EU environmental legislation and deals with water pollution arising from chemicals such as biocides, heavy metals and phosphates that cause eutrophism. It calls on member-states to institute programs to limit pollution, which include binding criteria for water quality and a system of issuing licenses for dumping wastes.

According to the Maastricht Treaty, the Commission can ask the courts to impose a monetary fine on member-states that do not conform to court rulings.

[20] Parliament president sends messages to Greek Olympic Team

Athens, 14/09/2000 (ANA)

The telegram read: "In light of the inauguration of the Olympic Games of Sydney, I request of you to pass on to the Greek athletes the most warm wishes, both mine and those of the Parliament of the Greeks, for success in the events they are to participate."

[21] President Clerides awaits clarifications from UN chief

NEW YORK, 14/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Developments in New York indicate that future participation of the Greek Cypriot side in the talks would depend on possible reactions or lack of to the letter the President sent to Annan on Wednesday.

In his letter, President Clerides sets out the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, but does not put any conditions.

The UN chief said in his statement that the equal status of the parties must and should be recognized explicitly in the comprehensive settlement to be reached on the Cyprus problem, noting that each side represents itself and no one else.

In the statement, which he read out to President Clerides and Denktash, during separate meetings he had with them yesterday, first day of the fourth round of proximity talks to solve the Cyprus problem, Annan noted that the comprehensive settlement must enshrine a new partnership on which to build a better future in peace, security and prosperity on a united island.

The same sources noted that the Greek Cypriot side believes that in any possible reply to the President's letter, what would matter is the substance and not the type of the answer.

Meanwhile, Athens and Nicosia are still in close contact regarding developments in the Cyprus problem.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is underway 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.

President Glafcos Clerides was due to send early Tuesday Kofi Annan's outlines on his comments and positions in relation to a statement the UN chief made on Tuesday on the Cyprus peace talks, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said.

He noted the letter was the result of collective work among National Council members and the President's advisers but would not say whether the Greek Cypriot side would return to the negotiating table on Thursday.

Speaking to the press after a three-hour long meeting on Wednesday of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus question, Papapetrou said "the President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides is sending a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in which he outlines his comments and positions in relation to the statement Annan made yesterday."

The UN chief said in his statement that the equal status of the parties must and should be recognized explicitly in the comprehensive settlement to be reached on the Cyprus problem, noting that each side represents itself and no one else.

In the statement, which he read out to President Clerides and Denktash, during separate meetings he had with them yesterday, first day of the fourth round of proximity talks to solve the Cyprus problem, Annan noted that the comprehensive settlement must enshrine a new partnership on which to build a better future in peace, security and prosperity on a united island.

Asked if the Greek Cypriot side would be attending talks today, he said "no, there will be no talks for our side today."

As for talks Thursday with the UN, he said this would be made known on Thursday.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is underway 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 comment on the content of the letter, the Spokesman said this would not be made public at present, as publication of the letter is not considered appropriate at this stage.

Asked if the decision to dispatch the letter was unanimous, he said "it was the result of collective work."

Replying to CNA questions, Papapetrou said "the President outlines his positions in the letter and makes a series of remarks."

Papapetrou refrained from making any further comment, noting the press would be notified about what happens and added that the Council meets whenever there are developments.

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