Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis, Stephanopoulos in Patras to monitor progress of Rio-Antirrio Bridge project

[02] Confederation is not the solution for Cyprus, Papandreou warns

[03] Greek-Turkish symposium ends in Athens, calls for 'good faith' and 'courage' in building peace

[04] Karamanlis makes proposals for combatting vested interests, intimates 'personal responsibility' of premier

[05] ND leader Karamanlis signs for Church's 'referendum' on IDs

[06] Citizens want European solidarity, Kaklamanis tells summit

[07] Culture Minister Pangalos comments on PASOK and Olympic Games

[08] High profile ND cadres on party politics

[09] Papariga reiterates call for 'democratic front against imperialism and monopolies'

[10] Consumer groups report that retail prices are higher than ministry prices

[11] Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus business meeting held on Samos

[12] Presentation of ANA services for European programs. How to get funding from EU

[13] Agriculture Minister inaugurates "Quality of Life for the Citizen" exhibition

[14] Kaklamanis attends opening of exhibition of Greek altars in Italian Parliament

[15] Olympic Games 2000

[16] Simitis, Karamanlis and other politicians congratulate Greek athletes on Sydney Olympics medals

[17] Greece and Australia sign sports cooperation memorandum in Sydney

[18] Fourth round of talks drawing to a close

[19] EU official says a Cyprus solution must ensure unobstructed EU accession

[01] Simitis, Stephanopoulos in Patras to monitor progress of Rio-Antirrio Bridge project

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The Rio-Antirrio bridge - first announced by the late prime minister Andreas Papandreou in the early 80s - is regarded as one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country, since it will allow traffic to cross the narrow strip of water at the mouth of the Corinthian gulf from Patras into northwest Greece without a time-consuming ferry trip as at present.

In his statements, Simitis stressed that thousands of infrastructure projects were being carried out around the country, thanks to extra funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF). "This gives us funds that the country has never had to carry out our development. We will make use of them," he pledged.

Also present were Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and Transport Minister Christos Verelis.

Simitis said that the placing of the first base on Saturday was to those who had claimed that the bridge was just a "blueprint project".

"The project has progressed 23 per cent in the two years since its construction began," he said, claiming that this was in accordance within its deadlines. "These projects need planning, preparation and time to begin. The important thing is to plan correctly and implement. We planned correctly and are now implementing," he added.

[02] Confederation is not the solution for Cyprus, Papandreou warns

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

In an interview with the Sunday edition of ETHNOS newspaper, Papandreou said that Greece "accepts nothing other than a solution founded on the UN decisions".

Papandreou linked the developments in Greek-Turkish relations with the course towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue, stressing that "good Greek-Turkish relations, regardless of how much they improve, will stumble upon the Cyprus issue so long as that is not resolved".

"The Cyprus issue will either unite us or divide us," he said.

Papandreou said that the Cyprus issue had been placed on a new basis "for the first time historically in the past 24 years", and called this "an achievement of this (the PASOK) government".

Responding to criticism from main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, Papandreou said that Karamanlis, with his statements, "is creating a major negotiating problem" and accused the opposition leader of "playing with the national issues for petty political purposes".

Papandreou said he remained faithful to the policy of rapprochement he has been following in Greek-Turkish relations since he first assumed the foreign ministry, and in giving Turkey the room to prove that it conformed with the predictions of the Helsinki EU summit agreement (upgrading it to a candidate country), particularly as regards the Cyprus issue. "We have 3 1/2 years ahead of us," Papandreou said, noting that "the decision on an association relationship will be taken by the 15 EU members" and not by Turkey.

[03] Greek-Turkish symposium ends in Athens, calls for 'good faith' and 'courage' in building peace

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The symposium was organized at the Zappeion Hall by the Society for European and International Cooperation.

[04] Karamanlis makes proposals for combatting vested interests, intimates 'personal responsibility' of premier

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

Claiming that "recent revelations" were proof of a close connection between the government and vested interests - including the personal responsibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis himself - Karamanlis urged immediate measures to deal with these.

Among his proposals were to give the National Broadcasting Council decisive powers to control all broadcast media, to set up an independent body to monitor public sector procurements contracts and to institute stern legislations on party finances.

Statements along similar lines were also made by the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress party, Nikos Constantopoulos, who said that recent developments within PASOK itself proved that "the problem not only exists but is at its height."

Reppas counters New Democracy intimations of corruption within the government: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, countering unspecific allegations of corruption within the government by New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, said on Saturday that the ND leader and his party were in no position to criticize anyone.

The government, he continued, has submitted its proposals in good time and is taking all necessary measures to upgrade public life in the country.

"This, however, does not seem to concern the main opposition, which seeks to ensure its political survival by stirring up scandal and talking of vested interests. They have learned nothing. With this political stance they are simply increasing the chances for their next defeat," Reppas concluded.

[05] ND leader Karamanlis signs for Church's 'referendum' on IDs

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

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. Since September 14, the Church has been collecting citizens' signatures in support of its positions at churches throughout the country as a sort of informal "referendum."

Commenting on the issue after visiting the 29th Book Festival at the Pedion tou Areos Square in Athens, Karamanlis said "every Greek citizen has the inalienable right to protest against the decisions of every government which is characterized by arrogance and authoritarianism and offends the right of every free person to determine himself."

Karamanlis also said "the government raised the issue arbitrarily and unfairly", adding that "all Greeks are free to do what their conscience dictates."

Karamanlis, who toured pavilions at the Book Festival, said "education and culture are what Greece can offer to the modern world. It is our big advantage. However, we cannot utilize it with an education policy of 'sewing and undoing', continuous changes and with children and their families being the victims all the time."

He said "a national dialogue on a national education policy over a long period of time is necessary at last. And, of course, there should be a sustained culture policy and a policy in support of books."

[06] Citizens want European solidarity, Kaklamanis tells summit

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

As such, he added, there was a need for undisrupted continuation of the process of Cyprus' accession to the EU and for pressure to be exerted on Turkey to abide by the conditions set out at the Helsinki EU summit.

Kaklamanis said that the strict conditions placed by the EU for Turkey's accession to the Union and its disengagement from a Cyprus solution and Cyprus' accession to the EU "prove not only the effectiveness of the Union on matters of international interest but also its persistence on the basic principles that govern its existence and operation".

For that reason, he explained, the EU's position on the Cyprus issue and the other conditions set out for Turkey's accession to the 15-nation bloc needed to be incorporated in the EU-Turkey partnership agreement, the negotiation of which was due to begin soon.

[07] Culture Minister Pangalos comments on PASOK and Olympic Games

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

In an interview with the newspaper "To Vima", the minister referred to phenomena of "luxury living by government and party members", which he commented on during the PASOK party's latest Executive Bureau meeting, underlining that there is a "contrast with the known proclamations and positions which we set out as a party of the wider left".

On the question of vested interests, Pangalos said an "objective issue" exists on this matter.

On the question of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the minister indicated that Greece has lost all the spare time. "We have been left with what is absolutely necessary," he added.

He praised Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis "who is doing a good job."

Pangalos also renewed his objection to the size of salaries paid to members of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee, saying that he will take no unilateral decision but will consult Organizing Committee President Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki "because the organization she presides over is independent."

[08] High profile ND cadres on party politics

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

In an interview appearing Sunday in the Athens daily TO VIMA, Bakoyianni said she was not preparing any kind of showdown at the upcoming party Congress, but was rather trying to contribute towards a "creative synthesis of views" aiming at a "Congress of substantive political dialogue".

She also said she did not see a likelihood of Karamanlis being disputed by the party rank and file, and reiterated her proposal that a set term be instituted for the party leadership.

Turning to the 'vested interests' issue, Bakoyianni said there needed to be firm rules and transparency, adding that the problem was not the names "because it is naive to limit the country's five evils to five hot names".

She said the vested interests issue cast a heavy shadow, and the "rationale of silence" was starting to break. "After 20 years of bad governance, it has been revealed that PASOK was dangerously linked with the vested interests. But the problem cannot be confronted with the tactic of incriminating the other side".

On national issues, she accused foreign minister George Papandreou of concessions on the Cyprus issue as Turkey remained intransigent on its positions while Greece sufficed itself to moves of impression without a clearly-defined, firm and grounded policy line.

In a separate interview, MP Stavros Dimas said that he wished to see Athens Mayor Dimitris Avrampoulos actively involved in ND, adding, however, that "if Mr. Avrampoulos goes ahead with (setting up) a new party and succeeds in rallying a substantial proportion of moderate citizens and serious cadres, then the only solution for ND would be some kind of electoral collaboration so as to jointly aim at a majority".

Dimas said in an interview with the Athens daily APOGEVMATINI appearing Sunday that he considered the party Congress an opportunity for establishing new prerequisites in the course to power.

MP Michalis Liapis, in an interview appearing in the Sunday edition of ELEFTHEROTYPIA, said that the only way to tackle the problem of the vested interests was to overturn the present system of power.

He put the blame on Prime Minister Simitis who "although he is aware of the extent of corruption in his government, he does nothing to change that".

Liapis also criticized the ND leadership, saying that the main opposition party should "abandon the lectures, the big words and spineless accusations".

[09] Papariga reiterates call for 'democratic front against imperialism and monopolies'

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The proposal is to be discussed at the KKE's 16th Congress in December.

Papariga called on the party members and ordinary citizens to individually and collectively play a decisive role in the formulation of the final proposals, which will serve as the party's guidelines for the next four years.

She predicted that important developments will take place in Greece and the region over the coming years, and tensions would be aggravated.

Turning to KKE policy for the next few years, Papariga said a policy of alliances was necessary to bring the opponent into a difficult position. "We are prepared to discuss with all those who do not see capitalistic barbarity and imperialistic aggressiveness as something inevitable and unchangeable..."

[10] Consumer groups report that retail prices are higher than ministry prices

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The survey carried out by the Center for Consumer Protection (KEPKA) and the Federation of Greek Consumers (OEKE), in collaboration with the Development ministry, revealed that prices were higher by more than 10 drachmas per liter, in most cases.

The sample included more than 2,000 petrol stations around the country and showed that the vast majority (97 per cent) were charging more than the ministry-recommended price and that 65 per cent were overcharging by 10 drachmas per liter or more.

The number of petrol stations charging less than the ministry-recommended price (up to 255 drachmas per liter) were fewer than 3 per cent.

The highest prices charged for unleaded petrol ranged from 9.7 per cent and 10.5 per cent over the recommended price (257.1 drachmas), while the highest prices charged for super petrol ranged between 15.9 per cent and 16.7 per cent above the recommended price (273.3 drachmas).

Trucks begin indefinite strike on Monday: Truck owners throughout Greece on Monday will launch an indefinite strike prompted by the sharp rise in oil price.

The strike affects all public use trucks of all categories, including domestic and international transports, liquid fuel carriers, etc.

A spokesman for truck owners' unions said that the doubling of fuel prices was resulting in the "economic decline of the sector", and the sector was therefore demanding a "reduction in excise taxes and a solution to the problem of deregulation of the profession".

[11] Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus business meeting held on Samos

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The meeting assessed the results since the previous meetings, and decided to examine expanding cooperation with other chambers, such as that of Crete.

The delegates also decided that the 6th meeting of the initiative would be held in Thrace in April or May 2001.

Finally, new targets were set for the initiative in the sectors of tourism, services, trade and collaborations.

[12] Presentation of ANA services for European programs. How to get funding from EU

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The new specialized services offered by the ANA are being prepared in collaboration with ELYROS SA, based in Brussels, and will be circulated in printed form, as CD-ROMs and via e-mail. They will provide important information for those involved with European Union programs and to those who need to keep abreast of developments in various sectors of Community activity.

The event will be opened by Deputy Press and Media Minister Telemachos Hytiris and the presentation will be made by ANA general director Andreas Christodoulides and ELYROS Managing Director G. Markatatos.

[13] Agriculture Minister inaugurates "Quality of Life for the Citizen" exhibition

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The exhibition displays, with audiovisual means and pamphlets, programs implemented by ministries concerning the effort to improve the citizen's quality of life in both urban centers and the countryside.

The exhibition was presented for the first time at the 65th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) and will be transferred gradually to all cities, which are the headquarters of the country's regions.

[14] Kaklamanis attends opening of exhibition of Greek altars in Italian Parliament

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

Kaklamanis said that the Italian parliament speaker needn't worry that Greece would try to reclaim the monuments "since they belong to the entire European family... and refer to a culture that is now...the base, the spine of all modern European culture." The same does not apply to the Parthenon Marbles, he quickly added for the benefit of his UK counterpart, which has to return where they belong.

[15] Olympic Games 2000

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

With this win, Dimas becomes the second man in weightlifting history to win three consecutive Olympic golds after Turkey's Naim Suleymanoglu, who missed a chance at a fourth in Sydney.

Dimas lifted 175 kilos in the snatch and 215 kilos in the clean and jerk, though he said nerves and anxiety over winning a third medal nearly cost him his victory.

He had previously won gold medals in the Barcelona Olympics of 1992 and in Atlanta in 1996.

Only 29 years old, Dimas told reporters that he intended to continue training and go for a fourth gold medals at the Olympics in Athens in 2004, beating the legendary Suleymanoglu to become the first weightlifter with four Olympic gold medals under his belt.

"Naim made a mistake in staying out of training for three years and then coming to compete in Sydney. I won't stop taking part in the competitions. I'll continue training in Greece and I'll be ready for the fourth gold in 2004," he said.

Kakiasvilis wins the gold metal for the third time of his career: Greek weightlifter Akakios Kakiasvilis took home the gold medal in the 94-kilo category at the Olympic Games in Sydney on Sunday, becoming only the third weightlifter in history to win gold medals in three successive Olympics.

Kakiasvilis lifted 185 kilograms in the snatch and 220 kilograms in the clean and jerk.

Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou brings home silver medal: Greece's "daughter of the wind" Katerina Thanou proved her worth at the Sydney Olympics on Saturday, where she placed second after US "super-athlete" Marion Jones to become the first European woman to win an Olympic medal in the 100m sprint race since 1988.

Though her time of 11:12 did not match her personal best of 10:83, the Greek record, it was sufficient to outdo numbers three and four, Tanya Lawrence and Marlene Ottey, and win her the silver medal, which she said she would give to her husband.

Regarding winner Marion Jones, Thanou conceded that she was an extremely strong athlete, "but not unbeatable."

Thanou also holds a gold medal in the 60m sprint from the 1999 indoor athletics championships and first place in the European indoor championship in 2000.

Tampakos takes silver in Olympic rings competition: Greece's Demosthenes Tampakos took the silver medal Sunday in the men's gymnastics rings at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Tampakos took the silver with a score of 9,762 after an impressive routine ending with a double somersault and a perfect landing.

Greek javelin star Gatsioudis out of the medals; Spyrou surprises with 7th place position: Greek javelin thrower Costas Gatsioudis belied expectations of a medal in Saturday's competition after a poor showing that landed him in sixth place, with a shot of 86.53m.

Weight-lifter Christos Spyrou, on the other hand, pleasantly surprised everyone by finishing seventh in the 85-kilo category, though his success was overshadowed by the gold won by teammate Pyrrhos Dimas.

[16] Simitis, Karamanlis and other politicians congratulate Greek athletes on Sydney Olympics medals

Athens, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

Regarding Dimas' third consecutive gold, the prime minister said that it proved that "Greece can succeed. It can beat international competition when it perseveres."

In his telegram to Thanou, the premier stressed that "your will, determination and unrelenting competitiveness have raised you onto the podium of the winners," and "confirmed the permanent spring of Greek athletics."

The medallists were also congratulated by the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Constantopoulos, New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis.

Simitis on Sunday also sent messages of congratulations to weightlifter Akakios Kakiasvilis and gymnast Demosthenes Tampakos for the gold and silver medals they won, respectively, at the Sydney Olympics earlier in the day.

"We all felt joy, emotion, enthusiasm and pride for your victory. Stand on the top pedestal of the Olympic champions, you showed what consistent and systematic effort means. You gave your entire self for a performance that would make you stand out among the others and give you the highest distinction. And you succeeded, because you worked in that direction," Simitis said in a cable to Kakiasvilis, who took the gold in the 94-kilo category.

"The gold medal you gave us reflects the modern and strong Greece of today, the Greece of creativity and optimism, the Greece of constant efforts and national self-confidence".

In a congratulatory cable to Tampakos, who took the silver in the men's individual rings competition, Simitis said "your bright success and high distinction puts its mark on the dynamic presence of Greek athletics at the Sydney Olympic Games".

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said that Kakiasvilis "once again has made us all proud. With his third Olympic gold medal, he has written a gold chapter in the history of the Olympic Games".

He also said that Tampakos' silver medal "proved once again that constant exercise of the body, mind, ethos and decency - which are necessary components of the character of any Olympics champion - is rewarded".

[17] Greece and Australia sign sports cooperation memorandum in Sydney

SYDNEY, 25/09/2000 (ANA)

The memorandum, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations in the sports, anticipates, among others, the transfer of know-how, mutual visits by sports officials, the exchange of sports training programs and information on developing sports, sports research, organizing joint symposiums, conferences and conventions and promoting trade relations between the two countries in the framework of organizing the Olympic Games.

After the signing, Floridis hosted a dinner in honor of the Australian officials at the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee's hospitality center.

[18] Fourth round of talks drawing to a close

NEW YORK, 25/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

According to diplomatic sources close to the talks, the positions of the two sides on the key issues (constitution, security, territory, refugees-property) continue to differ a great deal, but one could claim that on the issue of security some of the floating ideas find the two sides approaching each other.

The non-papers, which the UN has presented the sides, contain views, which are not to the liking of the Greek Cypriot side, in particular a non-paper with floating ideas on constitutional matters, on which President Glafcos Clerides will outline his views, is considered complicated, complex and difficult to comprehend.

As far as the US is concerned, the sources note the good will of both sides, which is translated into real negotiations, and believe that now nobody can put forward preconditions to evade substantive talks but stress that Washington is in no way interested in exerting any pressure on Ankara with regard to Cyprus.

The same sources have told CNA that the Turkish side has referred during discussions to its intention to accept the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops, provided that the treaty of guarantee continues to be valid with a clear provision that Ankara would have the right to intervene in Cyprus if the constitutional order is disturbed.

Turkey, it was said, is only 40 miles away from Cyprus and any upheaval can be dealt with. Turkish officials on the other hand appear ready to accept the presence of a multi-national force under UN or NATO umbrella.

The UN consider the existing treaties of establishment, alliance and guarantee of 1960, which set up the Republic of Cyprus, as a reasonable agreement to maintain but acknowledge they have to be amended in such a way as to make both sides feel secure, possibly with Greek and Turkish military presence in the context of a multi-national force.

Britain, one of the guarantor powers, fully backs the idea of maintaining the 1960 treaties, which it helped put together, as long their interests are safeguarded in the form of retaining the two military bases on the island and particularly the monitoring systems the UK has in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side considers it imperative to find such arrangements that would safeguard the implementation of any agreement on security and find mechanisms that would deal with any differences that may arise. It is also concerned about the composition of the multinational force, which it believes should be under the umbrella of the UN or perhaps NATO.

The most thorny issue under discussion at the talks, according to diplomatic sources, is property and the return of the refugees, in which the Greek Cypriots insist on the right of all refugees to choose to return to their homes (most of whom should come under the Greek Cypriot administered areas) whereas the Turkish Cypriot side is adamant this should not be so, claiming the return of Greek Cypriot refugees in the Turkish Cypriot administered area of the new federal Cyprus would change the so-called demographic structure of the place.

As Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash says behind the scenes "I know my people, the Greek Cypriots will buy us out if they are allowed back here".

On the constitutional matters, controversy appears to focus on sovereignty, representation in governance, consensus in decision making bodies and rotating presidency.

On the issue of territory, the UN has set out certain criteria relating to the economic viability of the areas along the existing cease fire line, under discussion for a return to the Greek Cypriot administered area, the percentage of Greek and Turkish Cypriots who lived or are not living in these areas and the need to safeguard the security of the people there.

As far as the US are concerned, reliable sources have told CNA that "all the preconditions are now out of the way and although there are difficulties and obstacles, the talks are on the substance."

The same sources point out that Denktash should understand that it is high time he should show good will and willingness to negotiate for a solution.

Sources close to Washington have told CNA that "anyone thinking the US will pressure Turkey is mistaken, neither the US nor the European Union is going to deliver pain to Turkey" and called on Cyprus to find a way to get the Turkish General Staff involved in the effort to find a settlement, as without their consent the political leadership has very little room to maneuver.

The military, the sources pointed out, needs to safeguard its security concerns and the key is to strike a balance of forces that would offer genuine security to both sides.

[19] EU official says a Cyprus solution must ensure unobstructed EU accession

NEW YORK, 25/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

He also gave a friendly advice to the UN and everybody else involved in the Cyprus peace effort that they should be careful on the final outcome of the negotiations, implying that the EU factor should be taken seriously into account.

Speaking after an hour-long meeting here with President Glafcos Clerides, Maurer said he briefed the President about his visit to

Cyprus and added "of course we had a very preliminary exchange of views concerning the different papers which are on the table now".

"What we want to have is a solution which would make Cyprus a good member of the EU, this I think is the most important thing in which the EU is interested', he said.

Asked by CNA whether what is on offer at the negotiating table is compatible with the acquis communautaire, Maurer said that all issues have to be looked into very carefully and identify those with which the EU has nothing to do.

The EU, he explained, is not a legislation of a state, but rather limited to certain issues concerning the four liberties, the environment and other matters.

"First of all we have to make a quite intensive analysis and then we would give some technical advice. We had various contacts with UN officials and said they should be careful," he concluded.

Maurer is one of many envoys on the wings of the UN-led proximity talks, which end on Tuesday, and is monitoring developments for the EU.

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