Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-01-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] New Year's messages by political leadership express optimism while calling for a better society

[02] Archbishop Christodoulos calls on faithful to resist plans for 'dissolution and undermining' of Christian Church

[03] Chinese military chief to visit

[04] Greece's accession to the eurozone requires great effort, Papantoniou says

[05] Eleven people killed and 195 injured in 149 traffic accidents since Friday

[06] Athens police seize 513 kilos of pure heroin, four Turks arrested

[07] Greek Eurodeputy appeals for imprisoned Iraqis

[08] President Clerides says EU accession would be Cyprus' greatest achievement

[01] New Year's messages by political leadership express optimism while calling for a better society

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

"In these hours of the symbolic new beginning marked by the New Year, we may feel certain of our abilities and optimistic," Prime Minister Simitis said Saturday in his New Year message.

Greece, he said, had already started "living in euro conditions", adding that the country's entry into the European Union's economic and monetary union (EMU) "ensures greater stability and opens up new horizons".

The fact that everyone today considered this collective achievement as something simple did not reduce its importance, the premier said, adding that "we are building a better tomorrow for our children, with persistence and patience, with knowledge of the times, with a sense of responsibility and continuity".

What was most important was for the Greece and society of the future "to have a place for all", to be, remain and become an open and creative society, a society of justice and cohesion, of true abilities and genuine opportunities for everyone, "a society that nudges the people for the better, which backs them in their search for their personal and collective prosperity," he said.

"This is the society that we owe to ourselves and our children, and which we must aspire to," the premier said.

In his message released on Sunday, President Stephanopoulos expressed the wish that "the Greek people will always live peacefully and with a feeling of security and with the certainty that our forces guarantee all that our national dignity demands."

"These wishes can be realized provided we will proceed united with feelings of love for the motherland and the determination we need to defend it," he said.

President Stephanopoulos also referred in his message to "the problems and difficulties existing, such as poverty, unemployment and other social ills."

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis pointed out the negative aspects of globalization, which he said should be countered with the values of civilization, democracy and human rights.

Greece, he said, at the forefront of that struggle, was advancing cooperation with the neighboring peoples and struggling for peace in the region, with disregarding, however, "the persistence of our eastern neighbor in undermining that effort by systematically putting forward political, ethically and historically unacceptable claims", in a direct reference to Turkey.

Kaklamanis also referred to Cyprus, "The land that, due to the barbarian invasion of Attila and the hypocrisy of the US, is still watered by the tears and blood of its children", to the overseas Greeks throughout the world, whom he called "the ambassadors of Hellenism who tirelessly work for the homeland, which many times hurts them," to the needy people of Greece, and the country's youth.

In its message, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said "the new century will be the century of peoples", adding that "imperialism is powerful but not invincible, while socialism is the future of mankind."

The message said both the year and the century, which passed, left behind bitter experiences from the dominance and increased aggressiveness of imperialism against the forces of socialism and progress.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN), in its message, said the year that ended left behind good and bad moments, unsolved problems and unfulfilled expectations.

But SYN expressed optimism for the New Year based on its conviction that the Greek people had the ability, knowledge and will to change today's society and political reality in the direction of renewal, progress and social justice.

The party further pledged to contribute with all its power to the building of a society of justice, solidarity and tolerance, adding that bold progressive regulations, radical changes and social activation were necessary.

The country, it said, needed a change of policy, and changes to its structures and political system.

Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas, in his New Year message, expressed hope that 2001 will be a year of solidarity, love and activation of the everyday citizen in order to create better conditions for improving the people's standard of living.

"I hope it will be the year in which the social and political conditions will be created so that the youth, the unemployed and the social outcasts will smile again. I hope it will be the year of Hellenism's democratic resistance so as not to allow the forces of destabilization to shrink Greece," Tsovolas added.

President, PM, party leaders and ministers attend New Year's church service: President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, party leaders, deputies, representatives of the armed forces and security services and representatives of other faiths attended the traditional New Year's church service held at the Athens Cathedral on Monday morning and officiated by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.

On arrival at the cathedral, President Stephanopoulos was applauded by the crowds and was welcomed by Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and a senior clergyman.

In another development, President Stephanopoulos received New Year's greetings by Simitis and members of the government, as well as by representatives of the judicial and diplomatic representatives at the Presidential Mansion.

President Stephanopoulos wished Simitis "peace, prosperity and political calm" and Archbishop Christodoulos "health and strength" for his task.

Speaking to main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, he wished "all to go well, family happiness and the achievement of your targets."

He also exchanged greetings with Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas.

Meanwhile, various children's choirs sang New Year's carols for President Stephanopoulos, Premier Simitis and party leaders on Sunday. Among others, the Presidential Guard, Black Sea Greek groups and children from the Greek Women's Christian Union sang carols for President Stephanopoulos.

A Cretan group and children's choir sang for Simitis, while children's choirs also visited the home of Costas and Natasha Karamanlis at the seaside resort of Rafina to sing carols for them.

[02] Archbishop Christodoulos calls on faithful to resist plans for 'dissolution and undermining' of Christian Church

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

In a sermon at Saint Dimitrios Cathedral in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Archbishop Christodoulos appeared discreetly aggressive against politicians, "dechristianized Europeanism" and the mass media, which he accused of "orchestrated pressure against the practice of the faithful Orthodox people."

"With orchestrated pressure by newspapers and TV channels they wanted us not to have faith in Orthodoxy," he said and criticized political options "which tried to thwart the lifting of the complacency and the strengthening of the Orthodox Christians' faith."

Archbishop Christodoulos also referred to "forces, which are trying to include Moslem states in Europe and leave the Christian ones out, turning the European Union into an exclusive zone of economic interests."

[03] Chinese military chief to visit

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

General Fu Quanyou, China's Chief of Staff, is due to arrive on Tuesday at the invitation of Greek counterpart General Manoussos Paragioudakis.

During his stay in Greece, the Chinese official will pay a courtesy call on President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos and hold talks with the civilian and military leadership at the national defense industry on matters of mutual interest.

He will also visit the Fleet Command, the Special Forces Training Center, and archaeological sites and museums in Athens, Epidauros and Nafplio, before departing on January 6.

[04] Greece's accession to the eurozone requires great effort, Papantoniou says

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

Papantoniou says he is optimistic for the coming years, taking for granted the achievement of high five per cent development rates every year and speaks of adjustment problems for Greek businesses in the competitive environment of eurozone countries.

He said he supported the continuation of the privatization policy and considers the speedy incorporation of new technologies by Greek businesses necessary to enable a new development base.

Papantoniou further said the public debt should decrease at least by five per cent a year to release funds, which should be utilized in exercising a fairer social policy.

He said that over the next decade such a policy would release funds amounting to eight trillion drachmas for the promotion of social policy measures.

Referring to Greece's accession to the eurozone, he said "it is one of the greatest changes in past decades and will determine the country's course to a considerable degree."

Papantoniou also pointed to the need for strong businesses in the banking, telecommunications and energy sectors.

Meanwhile, in an article in the Sunday newspaper "To Vima tis Kyriakis", Bank of Greece Governor Loukas Papademos said Greece's full accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is a milestone for the course of the Greek economy and the country's participation in the process of European unification in general.

Papademos said the adoption of the euro as of Monday "signals the start of a new era with favorable prospects of monetary stability and economic development."

He said "expected additional benefits, both real and potential, are substantive and more than offset the short-term cost of adjustment to the new economic environment and the necessary further restructuring of our economy."

Papademos stressed the decisive effects of introducing the euro to the monetary and economic environment, saying "with its adoption a long-term and laborious phase of implementing anti-inflationary policy is being successfully completed, which resulted in a high degree of macroeconomic stability."

"The prospect of speedier and preservable economic development appears more favorable after Greece's accession to the eurozone," he said, adding that "the achievement of real convergence will depend on the ability of the Greek economy to function successfully under the conditions of intensifying competition being shaped in the eurozone and worldwide."

[05] Eleven people killed and 195 injured in 149 traffic accidents since Friday

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

Meanwhile, traffic police decided to provide an extra lane from oncoming lanes and deviations at overpasses, where necessary on the two national motorways, to facilitate motorists driving back to the capital on Monday at the end of the New Year's holiday.

[06] Athens police seize 513 kilos of pure heroin, four Turks arrested

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

The drugs, from Turkey, were found hidden in two tourist buses.

The four Turks who were arrested in Athens were the drivers and co-drivers of the two tourist buses, while another six Turks were arrested in Turkey.

The four arrested in Athens were identified as Erhan Ginik, 37, Muhsin Odogmus, 50, Atink Karadeniz, 26 and Nur Biser, 43.

The heroin was packed in one-kilo parcels, while the two Mercedes Benz buses and 8,500 German marks were confiscated.

The heroin haul is the biggest ever in Greece and one of the largest in Europe.

The four Turks appeared before the public prosecutor on Sunday.

[07] Greek Eurodeputy appeals for imprisoned Iraqis

Athens, 02/01/2001 (ANA)

The Iraqis are on a hunger strike at Athens' Korydallos prison.

Karamanou said that the Iraqis are appealing not be deported from Greece and for their case to be re-examined.

The Eurodeputy called for a just solution to their problem.

[08] President Clerides says EU accession would be Cyprus' greatest achievement

NICOSIA, 02/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In his New Year message to the people, President Clerides stressed that the EU Nice Summit sent the "clear message" that Cyprus' goal to accede to the EU "enters the last lap of its materialization".

He also noted that the international community is making more efforts to find a solution in Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The president reiterated the government's aim to find a settlement that will comply with UN resolutions, the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, human rights' treaties and the EU acquis communautaire.

President Clerides noted that until a solution is achieved, "we will continue to materialize the necessary defense and foreign policy, in cooperation with Greece, to prevent the implementation of Turkey's expansionary strategy against us".

Finally, the president expressed optimism that cooperation with Greece and the support of foreign governments will safeguard a better future for the island.

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