Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece’s new social action plan to be drafted, following cabinet decision

[02] Simitis and Papandreou meet to discuss Balkan Summit

[03] Parliament discusses amendments on prosecuting ministers

[04] Stephanopoulos: Greece has the prospects for a better future

[05] Foreign minister and Coalition of the Left leader discuss issue of FYROM's name

[06] Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy organizes event on 20th anniversary of Greece's EU accession

[07] European Parliament Socialist Group delegation on three-day visit to Cyprus

[08] Greece and Cyprus agree to strengthen regional cooperation

[09] Greek deputy minister to visit Canada and hold meetings with managers of high tech firms

[10] 13 to be prosecuted for Kurdish rebel leader's illegal entry into Greece in 1999

[11] Spokesman announces new bill on crime, terrorism in the wings

[12] Bill establishing Health Inspectors Corps tabled in Parliament

[13] Defense ministry bill introduces 'adoption' leave for women in military

[14] PM addresses party's new committees for prefectures, regions

[15] No invitations to Avramopoulos, Samaras for ND Congress

[16] Leftist party leader criticizes government for performance on Athens 2004 Games

[17] Investors see gold rush in Greek electricity market

[18] Greek commercial, cultural exhibition to take place in Chicago in November

[19] OTEnet launches Internet roaming service

[20] Opposition says port facilities weak before deregulation

[21] ICAP releases survey of textiles, clothing industries

[22] HELMEPA invites applications for Livanos Scholarship

[23] Greek stocks fall sharply hit by profit taking

[24] UN report positive about Greek efforts against drug abuse

[25] Greek professor re-elected president to SE European university association

[26] KAS approves plans for New Acropolis Museum construction

[27] Illegal court adjourns trial of abducted Greek Cypriot

[01] Greeces new social action plan to be drafted, following cabinet decision

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

The meeting concluded with the decision to establish a social net of solidarity and support for the weaker groups of citizens with services and income support.

The coordination of efforts will be the responsibility of the labor ministry, while the study and final draft of the decision will be ready in a few weeks.

The new plan will be implemented over the next three years and will include action in many forms, Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis said after the meeting, adding that there is a need for a differentiating policy system to meet the needs of every category of citizens.

Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, Health and Welfare Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou also participated in the meeting.

[02] Simitis and Papandreou meet to discuss Balkan Summit

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Emerging from a working meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, during which they had discussed foreign policy issues in view of the Summit meeting in Skopje on Thursday and Friday, Foreign Minister George Papandreou told reporters that Athens was open to discussion on this issue, as proved by ongoing UN-mediated talks to find a solution, but did not expect radical developments at this time.

Papandreou said that Greece planned to present proposals to restore stability in southern Serbia, while the Skopje summit's agenda also took in economic cooperation and the possible repercussions for public health of depleted uranium.

Diplomatic sources said the prime minister and Papandreou discussed recent developments in Turkey, in view of a meeting between Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem on the sidelines of the Balkan Summit.

They also claimed that the issue of FYROM's name had been discussed, in view of meetings between Simitis and Papandreou and their FYROM counterparts, Ljubco Georgievski and Srgan Kerim.

[03] Parliament discusses amendments on prosecuting ministers

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Culture minister and PASOK spokesman for revising the Constitution, Evangelos Venizelos, surprised main opposition New Democracy by accepting a proposal that only Supreme Court prosecutors should act as prosecuting authorities in trials of ministers, not parliamentary deputies, and presenting a counter-proposal for accomplices of accused ministers, asking that they could be tried separately by ordinary courts if the minister is not sent to trial.

ND spokesman Yiannis Varvitsiotis rejected such separate trials, saying that it would make the accused parties non-prosecutable.

Another surprise was the opposition to the proposed amendment by PASOK MP and former justice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, who said the "system has worked and doesn't need changing."

Venizelos' proposed amendments to article 86 on ministers' responsibilities included bringing Council of State justices onto the Special Court panel, drafting a judge's council for the Special Court that can issue acquittals or referrals when preliminary hearings show there are no grounds for prosecution, thus avoiding a full-fledged trial for unsound charges.

A third amendment abolishes MP prosecutors, who heightened the political nature of such court proceedings and presented the image of some political parties fighting their rivals through the courts.

Finally, the decision to make a minister stand trial would now require the agreement of at least 180 MPs in the first round and a simple majority of 151 in the second round.

Varvitsiotis opposed the two-round system for allowing prosecution, saying it would lead to two categories of accused. He also opposed the participation of Council of State justices in the Special Court and the exemption of the Supreme Court president from the same.

Simple parliamentary majorities for deciding to prosecute were also favored by the Coalition of the Left and Progress and the Communist Party of Greece, who said Parliament's role should be limited to approving prosecution or not, and that the rest should be left to the judicial system.

Venizelos defended two votes on minister prosecutions, saying that this would discourage "revenge votes" by the majority faction against a previous government.

[04] Stephanopoulos: Greece has the prospects for a better future

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

"The anniversary we celebrate today with patriotic sentiments allows us not only to remember the past, but to open up the future, with its broad prospects," the President said during an official dinner in his honor, responding to a toast by Ioannina Mayor Anastasios Papastavrou.

"It is the course of the Nation to face today's needs, the everyday problems, to respond to the desires of the Greek people, which now focus on development and prosperity," Stephanopoulos said.

That new idea, he added, was removed from political characterizations and "prepares us to work as hard as we can, together, to realize these new goals".

Stephanopoulos expressed his conviction that the "auspicious prospects exist for Greece to live better than in the past, and better than today".

"We have many prospects not only because we are members of the European Union, not only because of the progress we have achieved thus far, but because we have genuine abilities," the President said.

Celebrations culminated Wednesday with a parade by pupils, students, boy scouts and units of the armed forces and security forces.

Tsohatzopoulos: Crisis in Turkey a 'classical controversy': National Defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Wednesday termed the political crisis that has broken out in Turkey as "a classical controversy in a nation that is evolving into a country that finds itself in a stage of compulsory adaptation".

"Turkey, historically, is obliged to adapt to the new age and desires this adaptation on a course of approach with Europe. But at the same time it has immense difficulties in materializing that course of approach," the minister said in response to press questions in Ioannina, where he was attending events marking the 88th anniversary of the city's liberation from Turkish rule.

The crisis, he said, was "a deployment for social, economic and cultural battle taking place. It is interests that are clashing. It is difficult for one to predict how it will develop," Tsohatzopoulos said, adding that it was important "for us to stress that strategically, the course of Turkey's convergence with Europe is positive for both the Turkish and the Greek interests".

That is why "we are seeking, from within Turkey's political adaptation to the European status quo, to secure more beneficial terms for the improvement of our relations with Turkey and the resolution of outstanding issues".

[05] Foreign minister and Coalition of the Left leader discuss issue of FYROM's name

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Later, Constantopoulos said the present period is particularly serious and crucial for all foreign policy issues, adding that for this reason the Coalition insists on the creation of a Foreign Policy Council.

On the question of FYROM's name, Constantopoulos said the promotion of a mutually acceptable solution is an imperative need since it is the only realistic base for a solution to the name problem and the government should take an initiative in this direction.

Constantopoulos further said a solution to the problem of FYROM's name would contribute to stability in the region, as well as to the safeguarding of Greek national interests.

Referring to the issue of the genocide decree, Constantopoulos said the handling of Greek-Turkish issues should be part of a unified strategy.

[06] Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy organizes event on 20th anniversary of Greece's EU accession

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou, who was addressing an event organized by the Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) on the 20th anniversary of Greece's accession to the European Union, also referred to the policy of rapprochement with Turkey which, as he said, does not revoke the need for respect for the country's territorial integrity and sovereign rights.

He also said Greece's course since 1981 has resulted in the strengthening of both its national economy and its international position.

Honorary Ambassador Vyron Theodoropoulos described Greece's course to European unification as being one of the most important phases in its national history.

Theodoropoulos added that this course was completed with the country's accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but warned that Greece should proceed towards convergence with a faster pace since it is still distant from the average of European economies.

[07] European Parliament Socialist Group delegation on three-day visit to Cyprus

BRUSSELS, 22/02/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The delegation is composed of the Socialist Group's president and vice presidents, including the head of the PASOK party's Eurodeputies George Katiforis.

The Eurodeputies will be meeting Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Finance Minister Takis Clerides and Socialdemocrat Movement leader Vassos Lyssarides.

[08] Greece and Cyprus agree to strengthen regional cooperation

NICOSIA, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

They said this was the conclusion reached during their contacts with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Finance Minister Takis Clerides, at whose invitation the visit took place, as well as with other government officials.

Sifounakis said it was agreed that other sectors would be included in cooperation in the future, apart from those of culture and the environment.

Commenting on the new base being created by the Turks in Izmir, on the west coast of Turkey, Sifounakis said the issues of importance were those of peace in the region, the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the reunification of the island.

The two ministers were on the island to attend a meeting of the joint Greece-Cyprus evaluation committee of the "Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus" program that examined 330 proposals from 115 organizations relating to the promotion of education, culture, and the environment of Thrace, the Aegean and Cyprus.

[09] Greek deputy minister to visit Canada and hold meetings with managers of high tech firms

MONTREAL, 22/02/2001 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

[10] 13 to be prosecuted for Kurdish rebel leader's illegal entry into Greece in 1999

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

The legal opinion issued by the Athens court council includes Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan himself and his two aids, who arrived in Greece on Jan. 28, 1999 and illegally entered the country. At this time Ocalan is on death row in Turkey and his two aids in another European Union country.

Among the 13 persons prosecuted are the pilot of the plane that transported Ocalan from Russia to Greece, police and airport officials that allowed his entry, a novelist and her daughter that kept the fugitive from Turkish justice in their home near Athens and finally a retired Hellenic Navy captain first class.

The same legal opinion exonerated another 12 persons reportedly involved with Ocalan's illegal entry and two-day stay in Greece.

Ocalan was finally abducted by Turkish agents in Kenya, where he sought refuge. In Turkey he was tried and convicted.

[11] Spokesman announces new bill on crime, terrorism in the wings

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Reppas was commenting on press articles regarding the murder last summer of Brigadier Stephen Saunders, a military attache working at the British Embassy, by the terrorist group "November 17".

Reppas said the bill would include a series of measures to make the work of security forces easier.

[12] Bill establishing Health Inspectors Corps tabled in Parliament

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

According to the introductory section of the bill, the Corps will be answerable directly to the minister of health and welfare, and will function as a monitoring mechanism of medical services and welfare agencies in both the public and private sector.

[13] Defense ministry bill introduces 'adoption' leave for women in military

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

The bill also raises from 12 to 14 months the maternity leave for women officers serving as nurses in the Armed Forces.

[14] PM addresses party's new committees for prefectures, regions

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

During his speech to the new committee members arising from PASOK's recent internal elections, Simitis told them they were the political cells of the ruling faction and invited them to contribute to further strengthening the party's important role and the development and success of the government's policies.

"Let's leave the luxury of complacency to the main opposition and the conservative forces," he added.

PASOK has to rally its forces, on the basis of its values and ideological principles, if it is to speed up the pace of reforms being made by government, Simitis pointed out. He also stressed that a movement of reform, such as PASOK, could not always depend on the same forces and faces.

"We need constant renewal, and this is our strength," he said.

Regarding PASOK's goals, he said the party "does not accept social and economic stagnation that lead to social inequality, does not accept management thinking based on conservativism and weakness, does not accept the conservative ideology that condemns Greece to the stand on the sidelines of international developments."

Also attending the Caravel event is PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis.

[15] No invitations to Avramopoulos, Samaras for ND Congress

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Organizing committee chairperson MP Marietta Yiannakou said that the two politicians, both originating from ND, would not be invited as the party's decision was to invite representatives of "all the political parties that took part in the last general and European Parliament elections on their own or in alliances, and have representation in parliament".

Consequently, she said, Liberals leader Stephanos Manos -- who together with another party candidate gained seats the 300-member House in an electoral alliance with ND in the April 2000 parliamentary polls -- would be invited to the Congress.

It was still uncertain whether individuals such as George Souflias or Andreas Andrianopoulos would be invited to the Congress as no decision had yet been taken on individuals, she said.

Yiannakou said that, according to the results of the recent in-party elections for the delegates to the Congress in the party's regional organizations, the participation of women in the Congress would be 30 percent.

[16] Leftist party leader criticizes government for performance on Athens 2004 Games

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

During a press conference, he said that when "others spoke of a 'Grand Idea' we pointed out at great cost that it is all about 'big business' that will reveal the even bigger impotence of govern-mental management and the state's structure".

Constantopoulos called for the cancellation of the rowing center's construction in the Marathon region, where the famous battle took place.

[17] Investors see gold rush in Greek electricity market

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

"Results were unprecedented and beyond any prediction," Christodoulakis said.

A total of 917 applications were submitted for electricity production and another four for imported electricity power, of an estimated investment value of 5.0 trillion drachmas, creating 4,500 permanent jobs and 15,000 jobs in the construction phase.

Christodoulakis said that the first private electricity power units were expected to begin operating in 2004. Until then, the country would begin to import electricity power to facilitate competitiveness in the market indirectly and noted that these applications would be considered on priority.

The development minister said that the country would need more natural gas supplies due to an increased interest in the construction of natural gas units. Christodoulakis said that two gas pipelines, from Turkey and Italy, were under study and noted that the domestic natural gas market should have been completed earlier than 2006.

Public Power Corporation, Greece's electricity utility, is expected to retain an 83 percent share in the market by 2005, but deregulation is expected to increase significantly afterwards.

The first phase of the deregulation of the domestic electricity market includes 6,500 high- and medium-voltage consumers. The rest of the market - houses - is expected to be deregulated from 2005.

Christodoulakis said investments in power production were the preconditions for the country to play a dominant role in the Balkans market.

He stressed that Public Power Corporation would begin road shows to foreign and domestic institutional investors next month, ahead of its flotation.

Hellenic Steel, Natural Gas Public Enterprise, Hellenic Petroleum, Elval SA, Mytilineos, Titan Cement, Athens Water, Germanos, Public Power Corporation, Michaniki, Terna and AEGEK, were among those expressing interest in the production of electricity power in the country.

[18] Greek commercial, cultural exhibition to take place in Chicago in November

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

Next to the trade show, Greek archaeology professor Dimitris Pantermalis will be charged with organizing an exhibition of Greek antiquities and Athens 2004 Olympic Games will operate their own special booth.

A relevant announcement was made during a meeting of the SAE presidium in Thessaloniki on Wednesday.

[19] OTEnet launches Internet roaming service

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

A company statement said Roam All Over was a low cost service to OTEnet subscribers working of traveling abroad and using the Internet for their communication.

The new service is offered in cooperation with GRIC Communications, a company cooperating with the biggest Internet Service Providers in more than 90 countries worldwide.

[20] Opposition says port facilities weak before deregulation

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

"Unfortunately, shortly before the liberalization of passenger shipping, the country's ports cannot guarantee, due to massive inadequacy, the safe transportation of passengers and management of new ships in port, as is required in any serious, developed state," ND's shipping and tourism spokesman Yiannis Papathanasiou told reporters.

Papathanasiou also charged that the government was unable to make use of European Union funds available for ports modernization.

His statements were triggered by a letter sent by the Panhellenic Union of Ships' Masters to Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis complaining about the quality of ports infrastructure.

[21] ICAP releases survey of textiles, clothing industries

Athens, 22/02/2001 (ANA)

A presentation of the survey was held at the Thessaloniki Chamber of Light Industry.

The main points were as follows: