Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-11-20

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] Simitis, Buzek discuss EU enlargement, bilateral relations

[02] Simitis replaces Pangalos at culture ministry following publicized criticism; Venizelos picked

[03] Papantoniou to hold important contacts in Germany

[04] No mad cow problem in Greece, emergency measures not necessary, agriculture deputy minister assures

[05] Niriis multinational exercise begins Monday in Aegean

[06] Civil defense general secretary resigns, denies press rumors of disagreement

[07] Skandalidis sounds alarm over country's political parties

[08] Anti-NATO events scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki in March

[09] Coalition to run autonomously in 2002 municipal elections

[10] Stephanopoulos tours Pelio region

[11] Severe weather plagues Greek mainland

[12] Conference on Greek-Spanish history and culture to be held in Madrid

[13] Britain's "Last Resort" wins three awards in Thessaloniki Film Festival

[14] Creation of Union of Balkan Theatres announced

[15] Spokesman addresses conference in London

[16] House delegation to have talks in Athens

[01] Simitis, Buzek discuss EU enlargement, bilateral relations

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Simitis told reporters after the two-hour meeting that he and his Polish counterpart had ascertained that bilateral relations were progressing satisfactorily and that the presence of the Greek business community in Poland was continually being strengthened, while new initiatives were being developed.

"We want investments in the region, because Poland can be the springboard for expansion of activities, particularly towards the Ukraine and Russia," Simitis said.

The two premiers mainly discussed the next wave of European Union enlargement, and the process for Poland's accession to the 15-nation bloc.

"Greece and Poland are discussing the future of the European continent, the way in which the European countries will jointly tackle the problems in supranational cooperation. The Polish prime minister's visit indicates what role countries such as Poland and Greece can play in the new structures," Simitis said.

"In the context of the European Union, the first question arising in our relations is enlargement, the Greek premier said, adding that Greece looked forward to enlargement so that the smaller and medium-size countries could play a role "so that there will not be centers that exclusively guide developments, but rather, the structure will be more balanced."

That was why Greece was at Poland's side and shared its aspiration that the ongoing negotiations on issues that needed to be resolved for Poland to join the EU would be accelerated and completed at the latest in 2002, "so that this process of enlargement, which will also concern Cyprus, for example, will close," the premier said.

Consequently, he added, the accession procedures should end by December 31, 2002 so that the new structure of the EU would enter into force as of January 1, 2003.

"We, therefore, support the effort to speed up the accession procedures," Simitis said.

The Greek premier noted that the European countries were called on to take decisions "not only on the enlargement issues, but in general on the new structure that will emerge after the enlargement...on what kind of Europe we desire".

Greece, he said, had put forward several thoughts and proposals on that issue, and he and Buzek had had the opportunity to examine them during their meeting.

Buzek agreed that bilateral relations between Greece and Poland were "very good", adding that ways to further improve and expand them had been examined during the meeting with Simitis.

He also expressed appreciation for Simitis' endorsement of an acceleration in the procedures for Poland's EU accession, and for the Greek premier's support for the Polish delegation negotiating the country's EU membership.

"Poland finds itself before a major challenge, and we want to take advantage of this opportunity. We want to join the European Union on January 1, 2003. That date is linked with the end of the accession negotiations of 2002. This is the timetable we presented to the Greek premier too," Buzek said, adding that the timetable hinged on decisions to be taken at the EU summit in Nice.

Buzek said all the aspects of the Polish timetable were clear-cut, and noted that all the reports of the various European institutional agencies on the progress in Poland's accession negotiations were positive.

"We have indeed made substantial progress in many chapters that concern Poland's accession to the European Union, and particularly in the field of legislation we have done very good work for our country's institutional development," Buzek said, adding that the Polish people fervently supported their governments efforts for EU membership.

[02] Simitis replaces Pangalos at culture ministry following publicized criticism; Venizelos picked

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

The outspoken Pangalos, a former foreign minister, will be replaced on by veteran ruling PASOK cadre Evangelos Venizelos, who in the past also held the culture portfolio, along with development and justice posts, among others.

Pangalos' ousting comes less than two years after he was fired from the foreign minister's post by the prime minister in the wake of the controversial Abdullah Ocalan affair.

Venizelos assumes the culture ministry at a crucial time, as a high-profile International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegation -- headed by vice-president Jacques Rogge -- arrives in Athens this week to gauge progress for 2004 Olympic Games.

The ex-minister's interview was featured by the Athens mass daily "Ethnos."

Among others, Pangalos called on the government not to table legislation liberalizing the labor market but instead continue negotiations with trade unions in order to "find a compromise", as he put it.

The one-time foreign minister was also quoted as opposing the recent political rapprochement with neighboring Turkey as overseen by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, his replacement.

"... in order for one to exercise foreign policy one must have an elementary knowledge of history... it's entirely mandatory," he stated, an obvious reference to Papandreou.

According to government sources, decisions regarding the often-contentious labor reform bill were discussed and approved in a recent Cabinet meeting that Pangalos also attended, and where he reportedly did not air objections.

From Thessaloniki, meanwhile, Venizelos said issues concerning the ministry were well known, particularly preparations for the 2004.

"I hope to do the best I can ... What's important is for us to impose a climate of optimism and creativity," he said from the northern town of Katerini.

Karamanlis claims Pangalos dismissed due to disagreements with Papandreou: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis, on a tour of eastern Aegean islands, referred in Limnos on Sunday to the dismissal of Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos from his post by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, claiming that his removal was brought upon his disagreements with Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Speaking to Limnos local officials, Karamanlis alleged that Pangalos, a former foreign minister, was removed on Sunday from his post as Culture Minister because of his criticism of Papandreou's foreign policy.

Karamanlis said he did not want to interfere in the ruling PASOK party's internal affairs but that it was a sign that "we do not have a national strategy."

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Karamanlis said that Greece wanted peace and good neighborliness with Turkey, but he noted that the other side "makes claims, provokes, causes escalation, exerts pressure and does not respond to actions of goodwill".

He also accused the government of political unilateral back-tracking and expressed concern that the European Union is leaving it to be understood that Cyprus' accession into the EU will depend on a political settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Speaking on regional inequalities in the country, he said that Greece must throw its support on the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF).

Karamanlis had toured the island of Lesvos on Saturday.

[03] Papantoniou to hold important contacts in Germany

BERLIN, 20/11/2000 (ANA - P. Stangos)

He will later attend a one-day economic meeting on the theme "Greek-German Business Cooperation", held within the framework of the political, economic and cultural events entitled "Greek Days in Berlin" which will last throughout the week.

Papantoniou, on a private visit to Germany since Saturday, spoke in Potsdam on Saturday at a PASOK party event, focusing on the Greek government's policy in the post Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) era.

Referring to Monday's meeting with Muentefering, he said that it would contribute to the further promotion of friendly relations between Greece and Germany.

During his two-day talks, discussions will center on PASOK-SPD cooperation and the two parties' cooperation within the framework of the European Socialist Party.

[04] No mad cow problem in Greece, emergency measures not necessary, agriculture deputy minister assures

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Any steps being taken were purely for preventive reasons, Hatzimichalis said after an Experts Committee meeting in the wake of a bovine spongiform encephalopathy outbreak in France that has panicked consumers throughout the EU.

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is believed to have been introduced into cattle by feeding them ground up carcasses, bone and entrails from other animals.

Greece's positions on the issue were formulated during the marathon five-hour meeting, in view of Monday's meeting in Brussels of the EU Council of Farm Ministers, the deputy minister said.

Hatzimichalis explained that, under Greek legislation, it is prohibited to feed cud-chewing animals with animal feed containing meat and bone meal. He said Greek animal breeders did not use such animal feed for goats, sheep and cattle.

Veterinary expert Prof. S. Leontidis, a committee member, said no case had been detected in Greece of BSE in animals or the disease's human variant, known as new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) -- a fatal, brain-wasting disease.

He said scientists and veterinary experts in Greece had been monitoring the development of the disease since 1989, an 11-year time period during which the disease would have made its appearance, as its incubation period ranges from four years in animals to up to 20 years in the human being.

Leontidis and other committee members were also categorical that there were no safety hazards in the consumption of poultry and fish.

[05] Niriis multinational exercise begins Monday in Aegean

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

The purpose of the six-nation exercise is to advance the level of cooperation among the participating allied countries in a variety of naval operations in an environment of escalating intensity.

Niriis 2000, with the participation of France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the United States, will be held under the command of the Greek fleet chief, and includes tactical maneuvers on land and at sea.

Italy will be participating with its frigate "ITS Sagitario", Spain with the frigate "SPS Cazadora", France with the frigate "FS Commandant Ducuing", and the US with the destroyer "USS Donald Cook" and the submarine "USS Pittsburgh".

Greece will be taking part with six frigates (Elli, Limnos, Psara, Salamis, Epirus, and Navarino 5), five missile boats (Anninos, Arliotis, Konidis, Batsis, Votsis), two submarines (Amphitriti and Nireus), and one oil tanker (Arethoussa).

Jetfighters from the Hellenic Air Force, naval cooperation aircraft from Greece, the US and Germany, and a US early warning aircraft will also be taking part in the maneuvers.

After completion of the exercise, the participating vessels will visit the ports of Heraklion and Souda on the island of Crete.

[06] Civil defense general secretary resigns, denies press rumors of disagreement

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Kaiserlis said Katrivanos had resigned "for personal reasons", and denied a report in the Athens daily Eleftherotypia concerning the management of civil defense funds as "total lies, ungrounded, and having no relationship with reality".

Kaiserlis said that the ministry was advancing the reorganization of the civil defense sector, taking advantage of the experience it gained in the management of recent crises.

"In that framework, the new general secretary for civil defense, who will have the necessary knowledge, experience and specialization, will be appointed," the deputy minister said.

The newspaper report said that Katrivanos, who headed the inter-ministerial committee for confronting natural disasters, had resigned due to disagreement with the management of substantial funds used to restore damage caused by natural disasters.

Katrivanos himself denied the report in a statement to the ANA.

"We, as the General Secretariat for civil defense, have no financial services. Any financial matters are managed by the central services of the ministry. All is in accordance with the law," Katrivanos told ANA.

Referring to a section in the newspaper article that the General Secretariat had received 17 million dr. from the EU as a first tranche in Community funding for a building inspection program, Katrivanos said that the General Secretariat had not received any such money.

"The truth is that we have, indeed, received a letter from the European Commission offering us that sum for the management of a building inspection program, but we replied that we are not the proper authority, and referred the Commission to the environment, town planning and public works ministry and the seismic protection organization (OASP)," Katrivanos said.

[07] Skandalidis sounds alarm over country's political parties

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Skandalidis made the comments in an interview he gave to the " Sunday VIMA" magazine supplement.

Skandalidis said that the overwhelming majority of the party members should elect the PASOK party leader. The Central Committee must also be elected in a different way, he said.

The issues, he added, may find their solution in the next PASOK Congress where he said that he would again vote for Costas Simitis as leader. In the event that an issue arises for the succession of Simitis, there would be more than two candidates for the post, he said.

He did not envisage cooperation with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, who, he said, is likely to form his own party and threaten the ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy (ND) party.

Skandalidis had good words to say about National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos but said he would not vote for him as party leader and prime minister.

On his own personal ambitions, Skandalidis said that he had sight on the leadership of the party.

[08] Anti-NATO events scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki in March

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Anti-NATO events are scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki in March, on the occasion on the second anniversary of NATO' bombardment of Yugoslavia.

Taking part in the two-day meeting were parties and organizations from Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Turkey and Greece.

The Forum of Balkan Communist and Leftist Parties was opened on Saturday by KKE political bureau member Dimitris Gontikas, who briefed the delegates on the KKEs position that the formation of "a Balkan alliance of parties, mass organizations, and trade unions against NATO, war, injustice and the dependence that breeds" was "an immediate need and priority for the peoples of the region".

[09] Coalition to run autonomously in 2002 municipal elections

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Closing the two-day sessions, leader Nikos Constantopoulos strongly criticized government policies.

Commenting on the dismissal of Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Constantopoulos said that the crisis in the ruling PASOK party "is not a usual crisis." He said it had "a very serious ideological and political undertone," and predicted that this crisis would be permanent and would accompany PASOK henceforth "with very serious consequences in the country's political life."

The theme of the meeting was finding ways to enable the party to "break out of its present boundaries and evolve into a serious and existent political force and restoring its influence".

A Political Secretariat report presented at the meeting anticipated that the municipal and prefectural elections "will be held close to the national elections".

"It is very likely that, if extenuating circumstances do not arise, the national elections will be held in 2003", adding that the political scene was "fluid" and its characteristics had yet to be clarified.

In addition, "the internal disputes chiefly in (ruling party) PASOK, but also in (main opposition party) New Democracy are being aggravated, new political parties may be formed, and the government policy is called on to face the need for major changes in Greece society".

SYN leader Nikos Constantopoulos, in his address to the central committee on Saturday, in addition to local government issues, also referred to environmental concerns and European developments, in light of the EU summit in Nice in December, as well as to employment matters and the general political developments.

He said the conference on local government planned by SYN for early next year would be the starting point of the party's preparation for the municipal elections.

Constantopoulos charged that the government's choices in the employment sector were leading to increased unemployment and disorganization of labor relations, and reiterated the party's call for introducing a 35-hour workweek. He also accused government policy of being responsible for the "sick climate" prevailing in the country's political life.

[10] Stephanopoulos tours Pelio region

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

[11] Severe weather plagues Greek mainland

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Among others, heavy rainfall was blamed for a landslide on the Athens-Corinth national highway that resulted in the death of a 51-year-old woman.

The victim, Magdalene Politi, was riding in passenger's side of an automobile that was struck by large boulder on the notoriously steep Kakia Skala stretch of the roadway. Her husband and a six-year-old niece sustained only minor injuries, police said. Various other weather-related accidents were reported on the same highway and in the greater Athens area.

Several soccer games were also called off due to torrential rains, while an indoor basketball match between two first division clubs was interrupted when the court at the coastal Peace and Friendship arena was partially flooded.

[12] Conference on Greek-Spanish history and culture to be held in Madrid

MADRID, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

The presentation was held by the Greek Ambassador to Spain, Petros Angelakis, the president of the Greek-Spanish Forum, professor Garcia Gual and the director of Circulo De Bellas Artes, Sesar Antonio Molina.

The conference on Greek-Spanish history and culture will be held November 22-25.

[13] Britain's "Last Resort" wins three awards in Thessaloniki Film Festival

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

Pavel Polikovski's film was chosen as the best and received the Golden Alexandros award (accompanied by 12.5 million drachmas).

Dina Korzun, star of "Last Resort", won the best actress award while Panti Konstin, shared the best actor award for his performance in the same film, and Michel Maricevic, for his performance in the German film "Lost Killer".

The "Silver Alexandros" award went to Dito Tsintsantze's "Lost Killers".

The best director award went to Iranian Merziech Meskini for her film "The day I became a woman".

The award ceremony was held at the "Olympion" Cinema.

[14] Creation of Union of Balkan Theatres announced

Athens, 20/11/2000 (ANA)

The initiative for the Union's creation belongs to the director of the Thessaloniki based State Theatre of Northern Greece (STNG) Diagoras Chronopoulos.

The artistic directors of State Theatres from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, Slovenia, and Turkey signed the cooperation protocol for the creation of the Union of Balkan Theatres. Chronopoulos represented the STNG.

The union's aims include the promotion of exchange programs, theatrical co-productions and the exchange of artistic experience and know-how.

[15] Spokesman addresses conference in London

LONDON, 20/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking Friday night at a Conference entitled "Cyprus - 40 years from independence", held in London, Papapetrou said that "if we reach Cyprus' accession point and the political question is not yet settled, we cannot but accede to the EU".

He added that "UN resolutions provide for a federal state" and that what Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have in mind is "the creation of two separate states".

Papapetrou referred to the territorial issue and said that Denktash avoids any discussion on the subject.

"What is important", he added, "was that the UN Secretary-General pointed out in his last statement that he cannot imagine a solution to the Cyprus question without essential territorial readjustments, which would allow the largest possible number of Greek Cypriots to return to their properties under Greek Cypriot administration".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

[16] House delegation to have talks in Athens

NICOSIA, 20/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The delegation will also have a working meeting with the Greek parliamentary Foreign and Defense Committee.

During their stay in the Greek capital, the members of the delegation will be received by Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, and will have separate meetings with Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, and political party leaders and representatives.

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