[01] Foreign Minister Papandreou calls European Court ruling 'very important development'

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

His comment came a day after the European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of human rights violations on 14 counts of the Convention relating to the right to life, liberty and security, prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to respect for private and family life, protection of property and the right to peaceful enjoyment of their property and the right to an effective remedy. The Court also said Turkey violated rights relating to freedom of thought and expression, right to education and the right to a fair trial.

"The decision of the European Court is a particularly important development for the Republic of Cyprus and the cause of the Cyprus problem. It shows in a grand way that the case of Cyprus is a grand political and moral issue, not only for Hellenism, but for all the international community and especially for the European institutions," Papandreou said.

"This is so, because it is an issue concerning justice, security, peace and democracy for all citizens, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots. This decision is an opportunity, as well as a challenge for Turkey to contribute to a new era of peace, cooperation and democracy in southeastern Mediterranean from within its own course toward the European institutions," he said.

[02] Reppas says ruling 'historic'

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Reppas also noted that a number of people on Cyprus were still missing since the 1974 occupation by Turkey, and that the issue was always a subject for discussion.

The Strasbourg-based court had ruled on Thursday that Turkey was guilty of 14 violations of its human rights convention over the 27-year Turkish occupation of the island's north, in a case brought by the Cyprus government.

In a 16 to 1 vote, the panel of judges found Turkey responsible for human rights violations on Cyprus because of its military presence there.

[03] Cyprus President Clerides says European Court ruling 'extremely important'

NICOSIA, 12/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The president said the Court ruling "offers Cyprus a powerful weapon" in the UN-led peace talks, aiming at a comprehensive settlement, stressing also the fact that the Court notes that it recognizes only one legal government on the island, the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

"The Court ruling is of immense importance, it considers Turkey responsible for human rights violations in the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, and describes this regime as a subordinate local administration to Turkey," the president said, after Attorney General Alekos Markides handed him the voluminous decision.

Clerides said he would call a meeting of the National Council, top advisory body to the president on the handling of the Cyprus question, for "a constructive discussion" on the matter, after the political parties comprising the Council have had a chance to study the decision.

"The Court by its ruling has given us a powerful weapon in the negotiations for a solution and we are going to examine the entire text of the decision (all 126 pages) very thoroughly to see how to make the most out of it," the president said.

He noted that the decision reaffirms long-standing positions the government has been putting forward that "there is violation of human rights of missing persons and their relatives, of enclaved Greek Cypriots in occupied Cyprus, of displaced persons, of the right to property of Greek Cypriots."

Asked if he now feels strengthened in his positions for a new round of negotiations, the president said he had always felt "at ease because many of the things Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is asking for constitute violations of human rights and of European Union laws and regulations."

"Now we have a formal decision by the European Court saying that what Denktash wants, such as to deny the refugees the right to return to their homes, violates the European Convention of Human Rights," he pointed out.

The UN has chaired five rounds of proximity talks since December 1999. A sixth round, scheduled for January this year, did not take place because Denktash refused to attend, claiming the talks served no purpose and demanding recognition of his illegal regime in occupied Cyprus.

Cyprus filed an application in 1994 against Turkey, the fourth inter-state application the government had instigated, and after a long legal battle the Court issued its decision on Thursday. The first three went as far as the Commission of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. This is the first such application Cyprus has brought to the Court and the first interstate application the new Court has dealt with since its establishment.

Political parties in Nicosia have also welcomed as a "landmark" the European Court's ruling. The parties pointed out that the ruling must serve as a guideline to seek and secure a just and viable settlement in Cyprus, which should be in line with European Union principles and UN resolutions.

[04] Cyprus Attorney General

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference, Markides said this was "the biggest legal victory Cyprus has ever had against Turkey, which as of yesterday has an obligation to redress the situation."

He also explained that Turkey would find the decision an obstacle in its efforts to join the European Union and called on those involved in the Cyprus peace effort, the UN and others, to take seriously into consideration the ruling before putting for-ward any proposals for a solution.

The Attorney General warned that refusal by Ankara to comply with the Court ruling would lead to a dispute between Turkey and Council of Europe member states.

"Turkey has no right not to implement the ruling, even if it disagrees with it," he said.

Invited to outline the political ramifications of the judgment, Markides said "Cyprus expects the UN and various representatives and interlocutors involved in the Cyprus peace effort to advance proposals which do not violate UN Security Council resolutions, human rights conventions and the acquis communautaire."

"We hope this is what we will get," he said, adding that all concerned should take "seriously into consideration" the Convention of Human Rights and the Court's decision.

Replying to questions, he said Thursday's ruling "is a major defeat for Turkey and another obstacle in her path towards Europe."

The Attorney General said the Court adopted the position of the government of Cyprus that any idea put forward at the peace negotiations should not entail disrespect of human rights.

"Now we have the Court agreeing with this assertion. Our position at the negotiating table has been radically improved," Markides said.

He said the decision is "a powerful tool" for the island's political leadership to use to back up their positions for a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus question.

Commenting on Turkey's initial reaction to the court ruling which it described as wrong, Markides said judging by the first response to the decision one can say that Ankara will continue to ignore the court's rulings.

The Court, he said, adopted the reasoning of an earlier Court decision in the case of Titina Loizidou that Turkey is responsible for what happens in the areas of the Republic it occupies and that the Turkish Cypriot regime is a "subordinate to Turkey local administration."

On the rights of displaced persons, Markides said the court ruled that "the right of return is not a political right but a basic human right."

Markides said the Court considers that Turkey's consistent refusal to conduct an effective inquiry into the fate of mission persons was a violation of the Convention of Human Rights and that the existence of a tripartite investigation committee into the issue of missing persons does not prevent the Court from examining Cyprus' claims relating to the rights of missing persons and their relatives.

The Attorney General noted the Court's position on the rights of Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus, which said that Turkish Cypriots could and should have exhausted local remedies Turkey provides for them in an attempt to protect human rights in Turkish occupied Cyprus before they appeal to the European Court.

"This is not expressed or implied recognition of the regime in occupied Cyprus," he stressed, pointing out that the Court did not accept that military courts, which Turkey operates in occupied Cyprus, should try Turkish Cypriots.

[05] Turkish premier says European Court's legal ruling has no basis as problem is political

ISTANBUL 12/05/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"The Cyprus issue is not legal but political. The decision of the European Court of Human Rights does not take into account the reality in Cyprus ... there are two separate states in Cyprus," he claimed while speaking to members of Turkey's union of handicapped persons.

"The Cyprus problem can only be resolved through dialogue between the two communities," adding that the Court should "evaluate better the situation".

In a related development, the Turkish foreign ministry in its press release issued on Friday in Ankara, supported that the ruling of the Court "does not take into account the realities on the island, it does not have a legal basis and it is unjust", adding that such a decision "can not be enforced by Turkey".

Officials of the ministry said that the ruling "does not facilitate the resolution of the Cyprus problem," adding that "the party immediately affected is not Turkey" but the pseudo-state established by the Turkish forces in the northern occupied part of the island republic.

The Turkish press had limited reports of the ruling with headlines such as "Turkey is the Convict of Cyprus" and "Heavy decision against Turkey".

[06] Tsohatzopoulos dismisses Ankara's Paris Treaty link for Dodecanese

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Speaking on the island of Samos, where he was overseeing the last phase of the Navy exercise "Kataigis," Tsohatzopoulos said that the Paris Treaty did not make good grounds for anyone to demand the demilitarization of any place, either in the Dodecanese or in Italy.

"Turkey must realize that the views it is trying to substantiate are now irrelevant. They do not inspire a sense of consistency or strength, not legally or politically or in terms of institutions. It is much more useful for the promotion of a common course for Turkey and Greece in the European Union if these sorts of arguments can be outgrown and we move toward more modern and more realistic approaches of any issues there may be," he said.

The 1947 Paris Treaty effectively annexed the Dodecanese islands in the southeast Aegean from vanquished Italy to Greece, after the former was defeated in the Second World War. The treaty was signed between Greece and Italy, and Turkey was not a co-signatory.

In statements on Thursday, Tsohatzopoulos said that Greece had a right to fortify the islands of the southeastern Aegean under United Nations article 51, in defense of its sovereign rights and the security and defense of its people.

The statements were made after Ankara refused to allow a Greek naval chief to land on a Turkish base because his army helicopter transport would also land on the Dodecanese island of Rhodes. Hellenic Navy chief Vice - Adm. Georgios Theodoroulakis was originally scheduled to attend a command transfer ceremony at the Turkish naval base of Axaz.

The Greek minister also noted that Turkey was not a co-signatory of the Paris Treaty, which contained no articles prescribing rights toward the interests of third parties, while neither Greece nor Italy had accepted the status of demilitarization prescribed by the treaty for northern Italian borders or the Dodecanese.

Commenting on the exercise he witnessed on Samos, which tested the capacity of two new troop and vehicle transfer ships capable of doing up to 60 knots, Tsohatzopoulos said that the Army and Navy were gaining a new means of transport of strategic importance, which would change traditional strategic transport and intervention moves.

[07] Anti-personnel mine removal does not undermine Greece's defense capability, Tsohatzopoulos says

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Replying to a question tabled by main opposition New Democracy (ND) state deputy Yannis Varvitsiotis concerning the re-cent announcements by foreign minister George Papandreou that anti-personnel landmines throughout Greece would be dismantled, Tsohatzopoulos explained that the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the "Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Landmines" concerned anti-personnel landmines did not affect anti-tank landmines, which were instrumental in ensuring the country's defense since infantry units were transported by personnel tanks.

The minister said that if Turkey agreed to sign the Ottawa Convention, it would be a "very positive development for the safety of people crossing the borders of the two countries", while at the same time Turkey would be obliged to destroy the mine-fields and landmine stockpiles throughout its entire territory, and not selectively in specific areas.

Tsohatzopoulos said that Greece had already cleared the mine-fields on its borders with Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria in the framework of its policy on stability and cooperation in SE Europe.

Noting that although the Ottawa Convention had not been formally ratified yet by the Greek parliament, the government had stated that as soon as conditions allowed, it would go ahead with the ratification.

"We want to ensure that there will be a corresponding attitude and policy choice by our neighbors in the surrounding region" and that the terms of the Convention are accepted, meaning the gradual destruction of stockpiled landmines and of land fields over a period of 10-20 years, he said.

The minister recalled that during a recent meeting with his Turkish counterpart it was proposed that the two countries proceed to application of the terms of the Ottawa Convention "so that we both may proceed with the its signing and the destruction of the landmines...not on a bilateral basis, as proposed at some point by (Turkish foreign minister) Mr. Cem, nor as a symbolic move, but in full adherence to the terms of the Ottawa Convention, over the entire territory of the two countries".

Greece was in a position to realize the above, regardless of what Turkey did, and based on this choice, Athens proposed that there be "exploitation of this proposal of ours, that we proceed mutually with Turkey in the approval of the Convention, and with the creation of confidence-building measures". In his question, Varvitsiotis, a former defense minister, said that anti-personnel landmines were exclusively a defense weapon for nations threatened by countries with numerous infantry divisions, such as Turkey.

He also expressed fear that the Greek initiative had been undertaken without the view of the military hierarchy, and pointed out a statement by Cem that even if his country signed the Ottawa Convention it would not remove landmines from its borders with Iraq and Iran.

He accused the PASOK government of offering the landmine removal as an exchange in a so-called good relationship towards Turkey, which however maintained its claims against Greece.

Kostunica receives ND's Karamanlis, talks focus on regional developments

BELGRADE, 12/05/2001 (M. Mouratidis)

Greece's main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis was received here by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica on Friday, as talks expectedly touched on the latest troubling developments in the Balkans.

Karamanlis arrived in the Yugoslav capital for a two-day visit to attend a European Democratic Union (EDU) meeting sponsored by the European Peoples Party (EPP), part of the conservative and center-right political grouping's efforts to promote democratization in the region.

The main opposition New Democracy leader later told reporters both men agreed on several basic principles concerning the region, namely, the inviolability of the region's borders; respect for human and minority rights, as well as the need to condemn any initiative backed by violence.

Karamanlis also said he outlined ND's positions regarding Yugoslavia’s efforts to participate in several pan-European organizations, including a reference to allowing Kostunica's party - the Democratic Party of Serbia -- to participate in European political groupings where New Democracy is a member. Along those lines, Karamanlis conveyed an invitation to the Yugoslav president to participate in an upcoming EPP summit meeting in Goteborg, Sweden.

The ND leader later met with Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic, while in the evening he is scheduled to attend a dinner with representatives of the ruling coalition (DOS). He concludes his visit in Belgrade on Saturday following a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. High-ranking ND cadre Dora Bakoyianni, among others is accompanying Karamanlis to Yugoslavia.

[08] Premier criticizes past right wing policies, main opposition leader responds

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Speaking during a ruling PASOK youth conference Simitis said that "of course not all is perfect in Greece," stressing, however, that this is so because "we began (this effort) already being very far back".

"Did any other country of the European Union have a dictator-ship of colonels with a fascist attitude, 30 years ago?" he said, stressing that "we should not forget our past".

"Is it not positive ... that real democracy in Greece, freedom for all was reconstituted little by little and only after 1981 was fully reestablished all over the country?" Simitis asked the crowd of youths.

Commenting on criticism that PASOK has been in the government for the past 20 years and for this reason it is responsible for all that is "wrong" in the country, Simitis said "those people that say these things have no idea of social development".

"No society can be built in 20 years. One hundred years of oppression, authoritarianism and anti-democratic behavior can not be erased with a strike of the pen," he said.

"The issue for us and the youth is to change all this heritage for an open Greece, for a strong Greece," Simitis said.

Karamanlis responds

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis responded saying that "the ghosts of the past are called upon only by those who have no future".

Speaking from Belgrade, Karamanlis noted that "today's pre-aching of hate and division by Mr. Simitis reaffirmed that he belongs to the past for good. With his delirium he is attempting to divide the Greeks on purpose".

"The insecurity of Mr. Simitis is leading him to consciously damage the land. The falsification of history, is the final effort to remain in power. With all this Simitis wrote the darkest page of his political presence. In his effort to take us one hundred years to the past, he will remain tragically alone. Because Greek citizens know how to look ahead. As the next prime minister of the country I am coming on not to divide the Greeks by to unite them," Karamanlis concluded.

Reppas

Later in the day, commenting on Karamanlis' statements, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the ND leader "suffered a huge defeat in Parliament ... and for this he felt the need - even though he was abroad - to attack the premier in person".

"In his efforts to look for a way out he is calling himself the next prime minister," Reppas said.

[09] Ruling PASOK ministers meet in Thessaloniki to discuss projects

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Speaking during a meeting of ruling PASOK cadres in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Laliotis said that the project will be ready by 2004, depending, however, on legal developments regarding court action against parts of the project near Grevena, northwestern Greece and Nestos River, northeastern Greece.

On his part, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who also participated in the meeting, spoke of the Armed Forces' contribution to the development of border regions of the country. He also announced that by 2003 the Hellenic Armed Forces will reduce their troops to 100,000 men, down from 140,000 men today.

Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis and Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis also participated in the meeting giving accounts of their work toward the country's development.

[10] PM addresses PASOK youth conference on Greek goals within Europe

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

The prime minister also drew enthusiastic applause when he pledged to crack down on unemployment.

Describing the euro as a "bridge" toward the future, Simitis said that this future could be either positive or negative, depending on how it was handled.

"The political gamble for Greece is which of these two scenarios will be realized in the years to come," he added, while he stressed that Greece was currently waging its own battle within EMU and that this should not be forgotten.

"Today our political responsibility toward Greece and Greeks is greater because we did it. The dilemma is real and remorseless. Will we go forward or back? The negative scenario will be prevented," he said.

The main thrusts for achieving this goal, he concluded, were establishing economic stability, carrying out reforms and building infrastructure and achieving social cohesion and convergence.

Earlier on Friday, the conference was also addressed by Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, who said that democracy was now at a crux where the greatest perils were not tanks and police brutality but political apathy and an inability to negotiate the maze of virtual images presented by the media to find the underlying reality. The conference was opened by PASOK youth secretary Thanos Moraitis, who spoke about the greater ease with which the younger generation negotiated Europe, "joining in developments and taking part in a society of information, knowledge and risk." Referring to Cyprus' accession to the EU, meanwhile, he said this would unite the two "homes of Hellenism" in the greater European homeland.

[11] Greek, Russian Churches to cooperate within European Union framework

MOSCOW, 12/05/2001 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)

Christodoulos headed a delegation of Greek church leaders who held talks with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy and other officials of the Russian Church.

The two delegations also agreed to initiate a system of theology students' exchange through grants of scholarships.

The focus of discussions, Christodoulos said, was the problems of the Orthodox churches and their relations, adding that the results of the talks were positive as there was agreement on most issues and a wish for cooperation.

Christodoulos also said that during his contacts in Russia he discovered that a peaceful revolution was taking place in the country, where the church life was reconstituted and reorganized under the guidance of Patriarch Alexiy and the warm support of the country's political leadership.

High ranking Russian Church leader, Metropolitan of Smolensk Cyril, on his part, said that the time has come "for dialogue between the Orthodox Churches on the United Europe".

He proposed the establishment of a body to coordinate a true cooperation of Orthodox Churches, adding that the Church of Russia would support such a move and would support any president to such a body, including Archbishop Christodoulos.

Christodoulos said, however, that there are problems between the Orthodox Churches, but such issues are dealt by the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate, which plays the role of coordinator and no one disputes this role.

The Greek prelate also discussed the issue of Greek police identity cards and the removal of religion from them, saying that the Greek Church has collected about three million signatures against such a move by the Greek state.

"We have explained that our struggle is not against or for the listing of religion on the police identification cards, rather it is (a struggle) for our country not to be turned to a secular state," Christodoulos said.

According to the statements of the Greek prelate, he and the Russian Patriarch also discussed the papal visit in Greece and its results.

[12] International Council for Peace now based in Athens

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

The new offices of the organization, which transferred its base from Paris to Athens, are located on Othonos Street in downtown Athens. The transfer of the offices was decided during the International Conference of the Movements for Peace which took place last year in Athens, while the Executive Secretariat of the International Council for Peace was handed over to the Greek Committee for International Detente and Peace.

[13] Police raid unlicensed radio station near airport

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

The raid came after a joint decision by the press minister and transport deputy minister ordering the National Telecommunications and Post Offices Committee (EETT), the all-important agency that also oversees mobile telephony licensing, to locate the station's signal. The station, located in the small Anthousa township, had been broadcasting on the 92.4 MHz frequency.

The raid marked one of the first instances of police action against an unlicensed radio station in the greater Athens area after dozens of FM radio stations -- ranging from a handful of commercially robust broadcasters to numerous small and even "DJ-less" automated outlets - were shut down en masse in late March.

The heated issue of controlling the chaotic radio airwaves in the greater Athens area caused a veritable "broadcast furor" at the time. At odds were the government's attempts to regulate and finally legalize the FM band in the country - especially in the capital -- versus vehement criticism of favoritism, preferential status for the state-run radio network, a skewed technical study as well as a capricious and nebulous selection process.

The earlier crackdown also coincided with the opening of the new "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport at the Spata site, east of downtown Athens.

[14] Bank of Greece urges commercial banks to cut interest rates

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Papademos said that Greek banks should cut mainly their lending rates, currently higher than the EU average. A new round of lower interest rates should lead to trimming a margin between savings and lending interest rates, he said.

Papademos said that a change in monetary policy by the European Central Bank would result to fractionally relaxed monetary conditions in the Greece compared with the previous year, leaving unchanged the central bank's target to contain average inflation below 3.0 percent by the end of the year and to around 2.0 percent in 2002 (as envisaged by ECB for euro zone member states).

The central banker, however, warned that authorities should remain alerted to deal with any unforeseen external factors that could lead to increased inflationary pressures in the country.

Papademos said that despite an increase in oil prices and a stiffening "hard core" of the inflation rate in the last two months, Greece's inflation would benefit from a contained unit labor cost, more favorable developments in foreign exchange markets (with the drachma stable against the euro and the single European currency easing less against the US dollar this year), and from the fact that oil prices have not yet exceeded last year's highs.

He stressed that inflation's fall in the euro zone was supported by slowing economies in Europe and the United States, and by encouraging developments in money supply figures.

Papademos said that the ECB decided to cut its interest rates after favorable predictions by all international organizations over the medium-term trend of the inflation rate, likely to fall below 2.0 percent in the next 12-24 months.

[15] Papantoniou to head meeting on preparation for euro

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

On the meeting's agenda are a review of the steps taken so far to achieve the switch from the drachma to the euro on that date.

[16] Development Minister urges for efficiency in EU-funded programs

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting of a Monitoring Committee, set up to monitor progress in a Business Program on Competitiveness included in a Third Community Support Framework (CSF), Christodoulakis said that the ministry's aim was to distribute one third of earmarked funds by the end of 2001.

The meeting was addressed by representatives of the European Commission, other government ministries, employers and trade unions and non-governmental organizations such as Greenpeace.

Christodoulakis set three specific targets: first, improving the technological performance of the Greek economy, second, increasing employment, and third, boosting competitiveness.

He said that a Third CSF was focusing on regional development and stressed that businesses could seek funding through a wide range of actions.

The development ministry plans to simplify procedures and to facilitate the work of drafting candidacy applications for newly set-up businesses seeking funding from these programs.

Christos Polyzogopoulos, Greece's largest trade union umbrella's chairman, said that Greek workers expect to benefit from a full exploitation of EU funds and stressed the need to combat bureaucracy and to support small- and medium-sized enterprises.

L. Antonakopoulos, the Union of Greek Industries president, urged for the need of significant steps to be made to improve competitiveness.

[17] Greece a maritime superpower, Papoutsis says in New York

Greece is a superpower in the merchant shipping sector, and the number one maritime force in the world, Greece's merchant marine minister said Thursday at a press conference in New York.

This role, he added, was recognized by the United States which, as a political superpower, played an important role in world organizations where the interests of Greek shipping find a forum for discussion or formulate the legal framework within which Greek shipping functions.

Papoutsis, the first Greek merchant marine minister to pay an official visit to the US at the invitation of the American government, said his talks with US secretary of transportation Norman Mineta, senior US Coast Guard officials and the US drug enforcement agency (DEA) were of substance, and held in the framework of mutual understanding and agreement.

Greece, as a member of the European Union and given the fact that it accounted for 50 percent of the entire EU fleet, "is a very important interlocutor of the US, which shares the same principles for the development of shipping policy, and particularly safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment, and boosting competition", Papoutsis said.

The minister said he was "particularly satisfied" when Mineta himself said the Greek coastal shipping vessels were considered among the safest to enter US ports.

"This is very important for a country such as Greece which many times is attacked on navigation safety, mainly by its competitors. But the truth is that Greece is included among the countries that impose strict controls on ships bearing its flag and adheres to all the international specifications and rules of safety, and the rules for protection of the marine environment, taking significant initiatives in that direction in the framework of the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO)," Papoutsis said.

He also spoke of the leading role, at European level, undertaken by the Greek Coast Guard in matters of combating drug trafficking and its big successes at world level, which he said resulted from cooperation between the Greek authorities, the American Coast Guard and the DEA.

The minister explained that the Greek Coast Guard preparing, at an intense and fast pace, in training and reinforcing its staff for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, given the huge responsibility for safety at sea, where three Olympic events would take place, the docking of the cruise ships that would host the 15,000 Games officials, and the increased number of craft of all types during that period.

The American Coast Guard, given its long tradition in personnel training, could provide valuable ideas and experiences to the Greek Coast Guard in its efforts for modernization, particularly now when the establishment was being promoted of a Greek Harbor Corps Academy in the northern port city of Alexandroupolis.

Turning to his talks with NY-based ship owners, Papoutsis said that New York was a powerful maritime center, adding he had the opportunity to point out that his ministry's policy aimed at boosting the competitiveness of shipping.

"Our aspiration is that, in the next few years, Greek shipping will have, at political level, the best possible framework to enable it to develop and reign supreme in the world once again".

The Greek-owned merchant fleet today was the largest in the world, with the second largest trailing far behind. But only 25 percent of the Greek-owned fleet bore the Greek flag, bringing the Greek-flag fleet to the 5th position worldwide, and number one in the EU, where it accounted for 50 percent of the European fleet, Papoutsis said.

"And I told the ship owners that, if that 25 percent becomes, not 100 percent, but 50 percent, our country's clout will be substantially strengthened internationally. But for this to happen, the ship owners must see the future in a clearer light, see the reality in the framework, of the application of a more organized legislative framework, for which both the US and the EU are pressing," he said.

The aim, Papoutsis added, was to boost the Greek flag and give more power and strength to Greece's voice and vote in the international organizations "so that they, too, could have the greatest possible influence on future developments".

The Greek government, on its part, will take the necessary measures with respect to taxation, which was steep by European standards, Papoutsis said.

Flags of convenience have no future, he said, adding that the Greek flag was a reputable flag, the flag of an EU member state, with all that meant for the protection it would have in all ports of the world.

"The Greek ship owners exploit the prospects offered by our country in the best possible way," Papoutsis said, noting that the Greek government and entire political community recognized shipping as a vital sector of the economy that contributes substantially to economic growth.

Turning to Greek coastal shipping, Papoutsis stressed the safety of the services provided to passengers and tourists by applying the strictest specifications "and belying the propaganda of our competitors".

"Greece is the only country that has established an age limit for passenger ships. No such limit for passenger ships exist, not even in the US or Europe. Consequently, no one can accuse Greece of having old ships. In addition, Greece is the only EU country to apply sailing bans on ships when weather conditions are adverse, Papoutsis said.

And, for a vessel to be allowed to carry out routes in Greek waters, it must have a double engine, a requirement that does not exist in any other country, the minister added.

All this did not mean that Greek coastal shipping was a paradise. "Problems exist, which we are trying to solve with very specific moves. The situation is improving, and will improve even further with the deregulation of the market. We believe that competition will work in favor of the passengers and the modernization of coastal shipping," Papoutsis said.

[18] GSEE leader calls for PMs commitment on just social security system to be turned into specific measures

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

He was commenting on a statement by prime minister Costas Simitis on Thursday during an off-the-agenda parliamentary debate on the economic and social conditions of the country that he undertook a personal commitment for a just social security system. Announcing that he would take "personal responsibility" for a just reform of the country's ailing social security and pension system, Simitis said the government would undertake the task of ensuring "the public character of and state support for" the social insurance system, but added that "solidarity among the generations" was mandatory in order not to undermine economic growth. Polyzogopoulos said that the commitment needed to be rendered into specific solutions, and called for more initiatives.

Addressing the opening session of a three-day PASOK Youth open conference at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Polyzogopoulos warned that he road ahead for boosting the social security system was still long, and it was "not a procedural issue but one of substance, in which everyone can help".

[19] Journalists to join nationwide strike on May 17

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

[20] US tour operators seek better bilateral tourist relations

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

US tour operators, in other meetings with Greek state officials and representatives from the private sector, said that in order to increase the number of tourist arrivals from the United States to Greece (in stagnation in the last few years) it would be necessary to create special tourist packages.

Christodoulakis unveiled the government's measures to upgrade the country's tourism market, including infrastructure projects (a new Athens airport at Spata), and stressed the need to a more efficient use of Hellenic Tourism Organization’s assets.

The members of USTOA visited Corfu, Chalkidiki and other tourist areas and met with Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos. It was the first time that USTOA held in conference in Greece, signaling increased tourism interest ahead of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

USTOA has 61 members, including US airlines and cruise operators, servicing more than 10 million tourists annually.

[21] Greek, Turkish, Scandinavian firms at Athens conference

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

The event is being organized under the auspices of the Greek-Turkish Council for Business Cooperation and the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce, whereas former Finnish president Marti Ahtisaari will serve as the event's chairman.

A large delegation of Turkish entrepreneurs, headed by Turkish-Greek Business Council President Sarik Tara, will also be on hand.

Deputy National Economy Minister Yiannis Zafiropoulos is scheduled to address an official dinner in honor of delegates at a downtown Athens hotel on Saturday evening.

[22] Prince Charles leaves Greece for Spain after five-day visit

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

A yacht owned by shipping magnate Yiannis Latsis, which Prince Charles had used to reach the Athos peninsula, anchored just outside the new port in Kavala at 10.05 a.m., and the Prince of Wales was escorted ashore under tight security, accompanied by his two bodyguards and his secretary.

He was immediately taken to Chryssoupoli airport near the city, where a jet plane was standing by to take him and his entourage to Valencia in Spain. The prince spent no more than five minutes within the airport, which had nevertheless taken strong security measures to ensure his safety.

The Prince of Wales had arrived in Greece on Monday, landing at Chryssoupoli airport on a Boeing 737 owned by the Latsis family. He had then traveled on the Latsis yacht to the Mount Athos peninsula, where he had been a guest at the Vatopedi Monastery, in special apartments set aside for him, his two bodyguards and his secretary.

During his stay, Prince Charles oversaw work for the conservation of the peninsula's old network of footpaths by the 'Friends of Mount Athos', a group based in the UK and US of which both he and his father Prince Phillip are members.

[23] Jewish museum in Thessaloniki to be inaugurated on Sunday

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

The building is one of the few that survived the 1917 fire that destroyed the city and will showcase the history of the Jewish community in the city, where it marked a presence since 140 BC, reached its height after the coming of the Sephardim Jews from Spain and has only 1,500 member today, owing to the Holocaust.

[24] Two Albanian nationals charged with heroin trafficking

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Police identified the suspects as Leonida Gikod, 30, and Alekos Niskos, 23. The arrests followed a raid on a cafe located off Alexandras Avenue.

[25] Immigrant smuggler arrested, illegal immigrants detained

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

A Coast Guard patrol boat seized the four-meter-long outboard motor vessel at 4:35 a.m. in the northern straits of Corfu as it was headed to shore. The boat, which was taking on water, was towed by the patrol boat to Corfu's central port. The 19 Albanians were also detained.

[26] Large cache of bootleg CDs land merchant in jail

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Antonis Patsatzoglu, 32, was arrested in relation to the incident.

The raid comes only a few days after a pair of twin brothers were arrested on similar charges after police discovered around 2,000 bootleg CD-ROM "Play Station" video games in their workshop, the largest such haul ever reported in Greece. Dozens of pirated CDs were also confiscated.

Authorities have apparently stepped efforts over the past few weeks to break up rings manufacturing bootleg audio and video CDs, which are then often sold by mostly Third World street peddlers at cut-rate prices.

[27] Athens 2004 organizers promise more green space, reply to criticism

Athens, 12/05/2001 (ANA)

Specifically, ATHOC released a list of sites where "environmentally friendly" landscaping and planting is projected by the summer of 2004, in coordination with the town planning and environment ministry and a greater Athens zoning entity.

Among others, ATHOC said 500 hectares out of the 1,400 allocated for Olympic villages and venues will be turned into green space and parks. In terms of the 2,500 hectares set aside for road works and the rehabilitation of urban areas, almost half - 1,050 - was promised as green space.

The announcement comes on the heels of a protest march from Athens to the ancient battlefield site of Marathon last weekend by opponents of a plan to build an Olympic rowing and canoeing center at the Schinias site, in the battlefield.

Objections over the Schinias site as an Olympic venue has been aired by the Athens Academy, the Archaeological Society and by several environmental groups, including WWF-Hellas, which claims construction will cause irreversible damage to the area's fragile and downgraded, over the past decades, ecosystem.

Conversely, ATHOC has repeatedly stressed that the entire area will be upgraded, environmentally safeguarded and cleared of illegal land use, a small private airport and dilapidated former military facilities - a view publicly endorsed by the government and the International Olympic Committee.

[28] Greek American leaders address letter to Bush

NICOSIA, 12/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Leaders of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, Andrew A. Athens, Philip Christopher and Andrew E. Manatos, stress that "this profound ruling can be an opportunity to help NATO ally Turkey see more clearly the path it must take for EU membership".

At the same time they note that Turkey "can no longer deny its problems as a result of rulings like the one rendered" Thursday, and observe "it is time for the US to reach out to those in Turkey who want to make the changes necessary for EU accession".

The ruling also supported the claims of over 200,000 Greek-Cypriot refugees who have been deprived of their right to property, compensation and a family life. The Greek American leaders stress that "this highlights the fact that Turkey is facing a potential financial liability of 16.8 US billion" and the amount increases by one billion each year.

The Greek American leaders cited additional key parts of the decision in their letter to Bush and US officials, including references to the Cyprus enclaved and the missing in Cyprus.

The case against Turkey was brought by the Cyprus government, which argued that the 27-year-old Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern third violated almost every article in the European Human Rights Convention.

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