Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek economic growth highest in 25 years in 2001, report says

[02] State Dept. comments on Papandreou meeting with Powell

[03] Government spokesman says U.S. government has identical policy with Athens in many sectors

[04] Turkey's participation in CoE may be in jeopardy, Lord Johnston says

[05] Stephanopoulos, Simitis discuss foreign policy, domestic issues

[06] KYSEA meeting on Thursday

[07] May 22 declared day for briefing public on fire protection

[08] Greece, Turkey discuss joint natural disaster response unit

[09] President Stephanopoulos meets Latvian president in Athens

[10] Stephanopoulos to begin state visit to Croatia on Wednesday

[11] Kaklamanis meets visiting Alexandria Patriarch Petros in Athens

[12] Niotis urges cross-party cooperation to allow expatriate postal votes

[13] Reppas rules out mandatory civil weddings for all

[14] Venizelos: Venice Biennale an opportunity to promote Cultural Olympiad

[15] ND's Karamanlis tours Athens' Democritos research center

[16] ND sector heads focus on issues of forest fires, drought

[17] Student takeovers at Crete Polytechnic, Aegean university over TEI bill

[18] EU Commission OKs funding program for Attica region

[19] Pahtas opposes any cut in EU funds to poorer regions

[20] National Bank of Greece opens new branch in Albania

[21] Viohalco signs memorandum of understanding to build new Hilton hotel in Athens

[22] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

[23] Laliotis presents program for giving Athens a pre-Olympics facelift

[24] Sports trade fair dedicated to Athens 2004 Olympics

[25] No change in US policy over Cyprus, spokesman says

[01] Greek economic growth highest in 25 years in 2001, report says

Athens, 23/05/2001(ANA)

The ministry report said there were seven factors determining the situation of the Greek economy, which was better than other eurozone economies.

These factors were: -The growth rate will exceed 4.5 percent this year, -the inflation rate remains at the lowest levels in the last 35 years and will fall close to the EU average by the end of 2001, -the state budget has a surplus for the first time in 35 years, -the public debt has fallen, -the investment growth rate is three times more than the eurozone average, -real wages are increasing by 2.6 percent, compared with an average 0.7 percent in the eurozone, -unemployment is expected to fall below 10.0 percent this year.

The report reiterated that this year's budget was proceeding smoothly, with revenues rising by 10.7 percent in the first four months of 2001, exceeding a budget target of 8.0 percent, while spending growth fell to 3.9 percent, from a target of 8.0 percent, over the same period.

The report firmly rejected accusations by the ND main opposition party of a "black hole" in this year's budget.

The government has earmarked a total of 2.5 trillion drachmas for payment to the country's pension funds this year, it said.

Greece's public debt is currently at 100 percent of the country's gross domestic product, which means that the government was paying 3.0 trillion drachmas on interest.

Tax evasion rate reaches 40 percent in 2000: The tax evasion rate reached 40 percent, on an annual base, last year in Greece, with value added tax revenue losses totalling 1.5 trillion drachmas (VAT revenues totalled 2.3 trillion drachmas in 2000), the country's economic crimes squad said on Tuesday.

In its annual report for 2000, the economic crimes squad also unveiled its action plan for the current year, envisaging 96,343 inspections in the sectors of medium- and large enterprises, electronic commerce and fuel smuggling.

The squad said it would continue inspections to several football clubs following inspections on Panahaiki FC and Panionios FC last year, which revealed extensive use of false invoices and tax evasion.

[02] State Dept. comments on Papandreou meeting with Powell

WASHINGTON, 23/05/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The Papandreou-Powell meeting also generated a positive response and satisfaction in Athens, with the government spokesman saying the US and Greece apparently have similar positions on a variety of topics, particularly on issues involving the Balkans.

Spokesman Dimitris Reppas also stressed that Greece's positions on various "national issues" are "continuing to win ground and be accepted by more and more parties."

State Dept. spokesman: In Washington, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher commented on the meeting during his daily press briefing, and in response to reporters' questions:

"... Greece is one of our NATO allies, one of our important allies in the Balkans ... And, indeed, they (Papandreou and Powell) spent a lot of their time talking about the Balkans, sup-porting the process of unity," he said.

Additionally, Boucher said the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as well as "Belgrade's integration into the west and into the European sphere" were also covered.

In terms of Kosovo, Boucher said the two ministers "... talked quite a bit about the longer term prospects and what we had to do over the longer term to support and help build multi-ethnic democracies in the region, which is what is going to give us the long term stability that we all look for, and the chance to withdraw troops, as a matter of fact."

Finally, he said the long-standing Cyprus problem, relations with Turkey -- "where, obviously, we're very interested" -- were also discussed, along with efforts by Greece and Turkey to improve their relationship, recent talks with the Russian foreign minister over Washington's controversial missile defense program and the troubling recent developments in the Middle East.

Concerning the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the US spokesman said talks revolved around the need to keep up cooperation over security issues.

"Clearly, we think there is more that can be done in terms of the cooperation between Greece and its international partners. And Foreign Minister Papandreou was also of the view that this cooperation and what they do together is very important. There is a lot of cooperation going on. In the end we're also going to be looking -- all looking for results in terms of the fight against terrorism," Boucher said.

Asked if the two countries were in agreement over FYROM, he said:

"On 'Macedonia', I would say there is very much an agreement on the support for the (Skopje) government and the direction they are going, in terms of a unity government, in terms of -- as we talked about over the longer term -- but in terms of actually in 'Macedonia' building a broad-based government of unity, a broad-based multiethnic state," he said.

Papandreou: On Monday, following the meeting with Powell, diplomatic sources said the Greek FM Papandreou added Athens' support to that of the international community for the government of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica.

Additionally, he stressed the need to reduce pressure on Belgrade to turnover Slobodan Milosevic being to the International Court at The Hague.

Papandreou reportedly stressed that a clear message by the United States and the European Union against the Yugoslav province's independence should be issued. The same sources added that the issue of FYROM's name was again brought up.

In view of Greek-Turkish relations, Papandreou cited Ankara's recent negative stance in preventing the Greek navy chief from visiting Turkey via Rhodes, reiterating that certain circles in the Turkish military establishment are creating problems for the policy of Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

On the question of Cyprus, Papandreou called for Washington's support for the unimpeded course of Cyprus' accession to the EU, as well as for pressure to be exerted on Ankara to have Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash return to UN-sponsored proximity talks.

According to the sources, Powell expressed support for the UN secretary general's good offices and the need for a resumption of talks after general elections are held in Cyprus on May 27. He also expressed support for the decision taken at the EU Helsinki summit and referred to the need for all to contribute to the lifting of the existing deadlock.

Meeting with Cheney: After his meeting with the US Secretary of State, Papandreou was received at the White House for talks with US Vice President Richard Cheney.

"We had the opportunity of discussing all individual issues in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, the action of extremist groups in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as the accession of Cyprus to Europe with or without a prior solution to the political problem of Cyprus. We all hope for a solution before accession, but this does not constitute a precondition for the accession of Cyprus to the EU. Steadfast insistence on decisions taken at Helsinki is the main conception governing the policy of all of us," Papandreou said.

"We have requested the contribution of the U.S. to the effort to have Turkey adopt European principles which will contribute substantively to the country's stability and which have particular importance for the progress of Turkish society," he added.

Greek FM meets with CIA chief in Washington: The fight against terrorism was the subject of a meeting here on Tuesday between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and CIA Director George Tenet, as the Greek minister continued his five-day official visit to the United States.

Papandreou will subsequently brief Greek Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis on the results of his meeting with the CIA chief.

According to reports, the US side apparently acknowledged Athens' stepped up efforts to combat terrorism and ensure security for the 2004 Games.

Along these lines, both men discussed the progress made by an international advisory committee comprised of officials from Greece, Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, set up to consult Athens on security matters for the 2004 Athens Games.

Papandreou also concluded a series of contacts with high-ranking congressional leaders, including Greek-American senators Paul Sarbanes and Oympia Snowe.

Foreign minister and U.S. national security adviser discuss Balkans: Foreign Minister George Papandreou discussed Balkan issues with U.S. President George W. Bush's national security adviser Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.

Papandreou said that to enable the gradual withdrawal of the U.S. from the region, as desired by the Bush administration, democratic institutions should be developed and Balkan countries should be given economic backing first. Greece appears willing to play a leading role in such a development.

He further requested the support of the U.S. to avert the further dismembering of Balkan states, while the need to avoid any change in borders in the region was also discussed.

[03] Government spokesman says U.S. government has identical policy with Athens in many sectors

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

He said that it is ascertained that in many sectors the U.S. government has an identical policy with Athens, primarily regarding Balkan issues.

Referring to national issues, Reppas said Greek positions have gained ground and are being adopted by more.

Papandreou also held talks in Washington with CIA director George Tenet on Tuesday, focusing on security and terrorism issues.

[04] Turkey's participation in CoE may be in jeopardy, Lord Johnston says

ISTANBUL, 23/05/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The remarks were made in light of Turkey's refusal to accept the decisions of the court for human rights violations during and since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Johnston, who is in Istanbul to participate in the Spring parliamentary assembly of the member-states of the Council of Europe, also said that Ankara's refusal was "unfortunate", adding that this non-acceptance will be "a serious obstacle in Turkey's accession to the European Union".

"Several points of the 1983 Turkish Constitution, which was adopted during the military regime, have been stated or interpreted in such as way that place in question the respect of several rights that are protected by the European Treaty on Human Rights," Johnston said in his closing remarks to the assembly.

He also spoke of his concern for the possibility of a ban against the Islamic party of Virtue and of the inability of Kurds to develop their cultural identity in Turkey.

He stressed that all this issues, including Turkey's existing laws permitting the exercise of the death penalty, will be examined in detail by the council.

[05] Stephanopoulos, Simitis discuss foreign policy, domestic issues

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

During a one-hour meeting, part of regular briefing sessions between the two officials, Stephanopoulos and Simitis focused attention mainly on European policy issues.

Simitis told reporters after the meeting that particular emphasis was placed on Greece's upcoming presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003.

"One might say that it is still early (to discuss the next Greek EU presidency), but the outline of the Greek presidency's program has already started to take shape. It is possible that the issues of the new EU agricultural policy will be decided them (during the Greek presidency), as well decisions taken on EU enlargement, in other words on Cyprus' membership," Simitis said.

He said now was the time for Greece to organize itself so as to have a smooth, obstacle-free course to the completion of Cyprus' EU accession.

The premier further briefed Stephanopoulos on the forthcoming EU summit in Sweden in mid-June, noting that one of the central issues for discussion at the summit would be EU enlargement.

He added that as of 2002, Greece will assume the EU presidency on certain economic issues.

[06] KYSEA meeting on Thursday

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

The meeting was originally set for last Thursday before being rescheduled so as not fall on the same day as a nation-wide strike called by trade unions.

Speaking before a Parliament committee late last month, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the May KYSEA session would focus on which armaments programs are priorities for the 2001-2006 period, as well as which programs will be delayed in order to funnel defense cuts into social spending.

At the time, he also reiterated that the defense ministry's leader-ship is continuing efforts to reduce operational costs within the armed forces, with a ministry target set at below 2 percent of GDP.

Tsohatzopoulos has repeatedly stressed that the decision to defer the high-profile "Eurofighter" contract will be discussed, among others, at the KYSEA meeting.

In an unrelated development, the government spokesman said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Costas Simitis would depart for Malta after the KYSEA meeting.

On Wednesday, Simitis will meet separately with the ministers of interior, justice, defense and national economy, as well as receiving ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis at his office.

[07] May 22 declared day for briefing public on fire protection

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

In this context, the first inter-Balkan conference on fire protection and security was held in Athens with the participation of the leaders of fire brigades of Balkan countries.

The conference was attended by Greek fire brigade chief Panayiotis Fourlas, and his counterparts from Turkey, Romania, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Fourlas presented a pilot program to coordinate firefighting forces through a satellite system. The program includes a coordinating center via satellite for pinpointing the exact location of fires and the exact location and movement of fire engines.

[08] Greece, Turkey discuss joint natural disaster response unit

ISTANBUL, 23/05/2001 (ANA - E. Aretaios)

A Greek interior ministry official met last week with a Turkish counterpart to discuss details concerning the establishment of a common 80-man unit, tentatively identified as the "Joint Hellenic-Turkish Standby Response Unit, a Greek embassy spokesman said in Ankara.

Additionally, a direct "hotline" will be set up between relevant agencies in the two countries.

[09] President Stephanopoulos meets Latvian president in Athens

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

[10] Stephanopoulos to begin state visit to Croatia on Wednesday

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

During the visit, Stephanopoulos will hold separate talks with Mesic and Croatian prime minister Ivica Racan on the entire range of bilateral relations, with emphasis on the economic sector, as well as on the situation in the wider Balkans and the problem in FYROM.

Stephanopoulos, who will be accompanied by a delegation of Greek businessmen, will further hold talks with representatives of the political parties of the country, and visit the university of Zagreb and the Croatian parliament.

On Friday, before departing for the return to Athens, the Greek President will be given a tour of the city of Dubrovnik.

[11] Kaklamanis meets visiting Alexandria Patriarch Petros in Athens

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

He praised the Patriarchate's humanitarian work on the African continent and urged both public bodies and private individuals to contribute to this financially.

On his part, the Patriarch said that the Patriarchate was going through difficult times because the Greek community in Egypt was much reduced, but noted that a "fresh wind" was blowing through Orthodox communities from Cairo to Cape Town.

He expressed satisfaction with the support pledged by both Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Kaklamanis himself.

Archbishop Christodoulos stressed the great needs of the African continent and expressed hope that the Patriarch's visit would help galvanize "the interest of all those of our compatriots who truly love Greece and the Orthodox faith."

Greek Church, Alexandrian Patriarchate enjoy excellent relations: The Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Greece enjoy excellent relations, visiting Patriarch of Alexandria Petros said on Tuesday during a press conference in Athens.

He noted that during his term the eight bishoprics of his see became 12, while a theology school for training priests for English-speaking countries in Africa was established in Kenya.

He thanked the Greek Church and the Greek government for their support, as the fiscal base of the Patriarchate is very small.

He spoke of other problems concerning the 2000-year-old Patriarchate established by Evangelist Mark, noting that at present it serves about 5,000 Greeks in Africa, Orthodox Arabs and sub-Saharan Africans.

Being of Cypriot origin, the Patriarch spoke of the problem and the plight of the eastern Mediterranean island republic, with the continuing Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island, since 1974.

Greek Parliament delegation received by Ecumenical Patriarch ISTANBUL, 23/05/2001 (A. Kourkoulas)

A Greek Parliament delegation was received here on Tues-day by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, as the group of Greek MPs were in Turkey's largest city to participate in a Council of Europe (CoE) spring Parliamentary session.

The delegation is composed of deputies Dora Bakoyianni, Theodoros Katsonis, Mihalis Liapis, Nora Katseli and Maria Damanaki.

The CoE session ended on Monday.

On the sidelines of the CoE meeting, Bakoyianni also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

[12] Niotis urges cross-party cooperation to allow expatriate postal votes

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Niotis said that the right to vote by post (which is provided for under the newly revised Constitution) should first be implemented for Greek citizens living in the European Union, who in any case vote along with those resident in Greece for the European Parliament.

He noted, however, that the parties should have decided within the space of six years on specific proposals regarding the degree and kind of representation that expatriates in other countries should have in Greek political processes.

"I am not a psychopath so that I would want fourth-generation Greek-Americans to elect the government in Greece, but expatriate Greeks must be represented," he said.

Niotis also proposed that there be Parliamentary sessions attended by the political leaders and representatives of expatriate Greeks on issues that concern them, pointing to similar practices adopted by Italy and Finland.

[13] Reppas rules out mandatory civil weddings for all

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Asked about statements on the issue made by Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, the spokesman stressed that these were purely theoretical and completely unrelated to political choices being contemplated by the government.

"Anything of this nature is outside the government agenda," he said.

Asked whether a meeting between Stathopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday was in any way related to this issue, Reppas stated categorically that the meeting concerned the justice ministry's bill on combatting organized crime and had nothing to do with civil weddings.

Reppas had made similar statements on Monday when asked about the comments made by Costas Dafermos, head of the state-appointed Personal Data Protection Authority, who had come out in favor of mandatory civil weddings for all. At present, people in the country can either get married at a Town Hall or choose an ecclesiastical ceremony at recognized churches, cathedrals, mosques or synagogues, depending on their religious affiliation.

[14] Venizelos: Venice Biennale an opportunity to promote Cultural Olympiad

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Greece will be represented at the Biennale, which will run from June 10 to November 4, by three contemporary artists and Greece's national commissioner Lina Tsikouta, art historian and National Gallery curator.

The three works traveling to Venice will be "Looking for a place" (1958) by Nikos Navridis, "Image and its importance" (1970) by Ilias Papailiakis and "Metis" (1951) by Ersi Hatziargyrou.

[15] ND's Karamanlis tours Athens' Democritos research center

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Afterwards, the ND president called for a national research policy, higher funding and incentives for scientists, while he noted that "only a country that invests in research and technology can truly challenge for a better future with optimism."

Finally, he criticized the government for not allocating more than 0.5 percent of the GDP for research in the country.

Democritos houses, among others, Greece's only atomic energy research laboratory.

[16] ND sector heads focus on issues of forest fires, drought

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

ND cadres criticized the government's policy in dealing with the two subjects, while the party's spokesman read out a report by the Fire Brigade chief, according to which most forests in the country appear abandoned in terms of fire-prevention measures.

ND will organize a one-day seminar in the central Greek town of Kalambaka on June 9 to discuss the issue of water scarcity.

[17] Student takeovers at Crete Polytechnic, Aegean university over TEI bill

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

The students will also take part in a rally on the island on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the dean of the polytechnic Yiannis Filis and vice-dean Yiannis Saridakis have submitted their resignations over the same issue.

On Monday, a former vice-dean at Crete Polytechnic found himself the target of a protest by students, who chose to show their opposition to his candidacy as head of the computer department by bricking up his door.

Students attending the Aegean university on the island of Samos, meanwhile, are continuing their takeover of the statistics, IT and mathematics departments for the sixth consecutive day in protest to the bill.

Under the provisions of the controversial bill, the qualifications awarded by TEIs would be considered equivalent to a first degree from a Greek university, thereby allowing their holders to apply for post-graduate courses.

Much of the academic community opposes the bill, asking that each of the institutes involved be assessed beforehand to protect standards, while many heads of universities have offered their resignations over the issue.

Athens Polytechnic Dean Themistocles Xanthopoulos, the academic who has spearheaded much of the opposition, stressed that the academic community has for months attempted to persuade the education ministry that the upgrading of TEIs, while desired by all, "would be false if it only occurs on paper and in law."

[18] EU Commission OKs funding program for Attica region

BRUSSELS,23/05/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

This program provides funds of nearly 522 billion drachmas (1,534 million euro), of which 73 per cent come from the EU structural funds, while the rest will come from the Greek private and public sector, with 71.9 million euro and 342 million euro respectively.

According to an announcement by the European Commission, the program aims to "promote the long-term development of the Attica region and bolster its competitiveness," by making use of "the region's geopolitical position through the development of existing infrastructure so as to create conditions of sustainable development with better evaluation of environmental problems."

Part of the EU drive, among others, will focus on redressing inequalities within the Attica region, curbing unemployment and developing underdeveloped zones within the region.

The Attica region has the highest unemployment rate in the country, with local unemployment running at 12.1 per cent compared with 10.25 per cent nationwide, according to 1997 figures.

[19] Pahtas opposes any cut in EU funds to poorer regions

BRUSSELS,23/05/2001 (ANA/B.Demiris)

Pahtas was addressing a forum on cohesion held in Brussels at European Parliament premises, attended by 1,800 delegates from 27 countries.

Pahtas said he also believed that enlargement of the EU should not lead to alteration of a continuing process of improving cohesion within the Community.

The EU's commissioner for labor and social affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou, told the forum that policies of allocating structural funds should be revised to include in the calculation criteria such as employment, joblessness and social exclusion, beyond per capita income.

[20] National Bank of Greece opens new branch in Albania

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

State-run National, Greece's largest bank, is the most active Greek player in the Balkan banking market, with 250 branches throughout the region and 4,000 staff, representing a quarter of the bank's entire personnel.

[21] Viohalco signs memorandum of understanding to build new Hilton hotel in Athens

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Under the terms of the deal, Hilton International will take over the management of the hotel.

The hotel will be build on a site owned to Viohalco in central Athens. It will have a capacity of 280 rooms with restaurants and conference rooms. The new Hilton is expected to operate in mid-2003.

The deal will strengthen Hilton International's presence in Greece, with two hotels in Athens and the Hilton Rhodes Resort.

Hilton Hotels Corporation and Hilton International, a member of Hilton Group Plc, operate more than 2,000 hotels in 55 countries.

[22] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Traders said a decline in foreign capital inflows paved the way to domestic investors to take early profits.

Analysts said the market would find support at the 3,110-3,120 levels in the short term.

The general index ended at 3,147.35 points, off 0.99 percent, with turnover a low 154.31 million euros, or 52.58 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.06 percent lower at 1,853.02 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 1.28 percent to 356.28 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 304.53 points, off 1.40 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 282 to 48 with another 25 issues unchanged.

Douros, Giannousis, Fitco, Levenderis, Imperio, Space, Agrinio Metalplastic, Xylemporia and Aspis Invest scored the biggest percentage gains, while Ideal, Halyps Cement, ETMA, Barba Stathis, Stabilton, Intersat, Microland, Hellatex and Paperpack suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Commercial Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Bond prices drop in sell-off: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in heavy trade with players focusing on 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.09 percent from 5.52 percent a trading day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 45 basis points, the same as in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.65 billion euros (562.3 drachmas) from 975 million euros (332.3 billion drachmas) in the trading day before.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Equity futures nose down, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Tuesday, tracking their underlying indexes.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.06 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.28 percent lower.

Traded were 4,755 contracts on turnover of 36.6 million euros.

[23] Laliotis presents program for giving Athens a pre-Olympics facelift

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis outlined the program called "2004: Another Attica, another Athens" during a press conference in Omonoia Square at midday, saying it would cost 84 billion drachmas, involve 60 different areas of the capital and cover 3,700 hectares and 120 km of roadway.

The main focus of the program is to improve access to important Olympic facilities and upgrade the aesthetic image of areas adjoining these access routes.

The minister said Omonoia square itself was included in the program, where works for restoring the square and surrounding roads had already begun, as were projects such as restoring and landscaping the Athens sea front from Piraeus to Agios Kosmas and unifying Athens archaeological sites.

He also stressed that the funds spent to improve Athens were not being deprived from other areas of the country, and that the distribution of funds until 2004 - now at 20 per cent for Athens and 80 per cent for the rest of the country - would not shift in the capital's favor.

Earlier in the day, meanwhile, Laliotis had launched into a diatribe against members of main opposition New Democracy planning to stand for mayor in Athens, accusing them of not caring about the city itself but seeking a stepping stone to the leadership of the main opposition party.

[24] Sports trade fair dedicated to Athens 2004 Olympics

Athens, 23/05/2001 (ANA)

SportExpo 2001 is aimed at both businesses in the sector and the general public.

Among exhibitors are the General Secretariat for the Olympic Games, the General Sports Secretariat, the Confederation of Athletics Unions of Greece and federations representing individual sports.

Helexpo wants the trade fair to promote Greek sports and the organizations involved.

Inaugurating the event will be Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

[25] No change in US policy over Cyprus, spokesman says

NICOSIA, 23/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Tuesday nothing can obstruct the Republic's course to Europe, noting that Brussels were well aware of the prospect of having Cyprus join as a divided country, as a result of the continuing occupation of the island's northern third after the 1974 Turkish invasion.

"The government has not ascertained any substantive change in US approach on the Cyprus question," Papapetrou said, commenting on Monday's meeting in Washington of US Secretary of State Colin Powell with Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

He said on the contrary the government is pleased with the in-formation it has concerning Monday's meeting that the US backs the EU Helsinki decision.

The EU decided in Helsinki to give Cyprus the green light for accession with or without a settlement, noting that a solution will facilitate membership but it is not a precondition.

UN-led peace talks, aimed at a comprehensive settlement, have stumbled on Turkish intransigence and unacceptable demands of the Turkish Cypriot side, contrary to the spirit of the negotiations and the agreed procedure.

"Nothing can halt Cyprus' course to Europe," Papapetrou said, adding that in spite of the prospect of a non-solution, the EU decided unanimously to let Cyprus join, even without one.

He said Turkish diplomacy is trying very hard to stop Cyprus' accession course because it realizes there would be repercussions on the policies it wants to promote with regard to such a development.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has said Ankara's response to Cyprus' accession to the EU, prior to a solution, would be without limits and has often threatened to incorporate the island's northern part it occupies for the past 27 years, should this happen.

"The government is taking all necessary measures, in full cooperation with Greece, taking into account all possibilities," the Cypriot official said, pointing out that Nicosia is not going to exaggerate these threats under any circumstances for the simple reason that "we do not intend to carry the Turkish threats to Europe to give credence to them."

US envoy: The United States hope that Cyprus' accession process to the European Union will contribute to the prospects of a settlement and are confident that it will.

The statement was made here on Tuesday by US Ambassador to Cyprus, Donald Bandler, when asked to comment on Monday night's meeting between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and his Greek counterpart, George Papandreou.

Referring to the meeting, Bandler said he understands they had a "very good session together. I believe the secretary and the Department spokesman reiterated our position that we favor the entry of a reunified Cyprus in the EU and we hope that the accession process will contribute to the prospects of a settlement. We are confident that they will".

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