Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM says if FYROM crisis worsens int'l community will be called on to intervene militarily

[02] DM says insistence on Kosovo independence will mean confrontation or war

[03] Karamanlis in Sweden this week for EPP summit

[04] Christodoulos to pay first-ever visit by Greek Archbishop to Cyprus

[05] Outgoing U.S. ambassador says Greeks and Americans allies in war and peace

[06] PASOK announces memorial service for 5-year anniversary of Andreas Papandreou's death

[07] Mutual fund assets drop in May vs. April

[08] Greek Finance Minister announces economic development policy

[09] Plastics of Crete announces investments in Poland and Turkey

[10] Social Security Foundation to operate paperless record system by 2002

[11] Merchant marine minister says cabotage bill the basis for passenger shipping

[12] Corinth Canal closed due to strike in protest of operation concession

[13] Turkish businessmen to participate in Balkan business conference in Athens

[14] Blue chip buying lifts ASE higher

[15] German museum's return of ancient Greek artifacts highlighted in bid for repatriation of Parthenon Marbles from Britain

[16] Spanish architect delivers draft plans for Olympic stadium's unification

[17] Development ministry to support foreign filmmaking in Greece to boost tourism

[18] European statistical service reports low divorce rate in Greece

[19] Cyprus government satisfied with UN Security Council statement

[20] Clerides departs for Sweden

[01] FM says if FYROM crisis worsens int'l community will be called on to intervene militarily

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou was speaking to reporters after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on preparations for the European Union's Council in Goteborg, Sweden, later this week.

He said the situation in FYROM is very difficult and expressed grave concern over the escalation of hostilities, adding that if political procedures progress there is a hope of the terrorists being isolated.

On the question of FYROM's name, Papandreou reiterated that provided there is a mutually acceptable solution Greece shall be ready to proceed.

"To the degree that there shall not be one, we do not wish to destabilize the neighboring country any further," Papandreou said.

Referring to the rejection of the Nice summit's results by the Irish, Papandreou said the EU considers enlargement a strategic option which, as he said, should go ahead.

Commenting on a possible private meeting between Simitis and U.S. President George W. Bush in Brussels, Papandreou said "logically speaking such a meeting can take place because they (the two leaders) will have the opportunity to exchange some initial views."

Papandreou said the Goteborg Council would focus on developments in the Balkans, environmental and enlargement issues and cooperation between the U.S. and the EU.

Athens again rules out unilateral military presence backing Skopje: The government reiterated on Tuesday that Athens will not unilaterally assume any military initiative in neighboring FYROM, the latest Balkan flashpoint that's brought fighting to within only a few hours drive from Greece's northern frontier.

A government spokesman told reporters during a regular press briefing that the dispatch of Greek units to the strife-torn Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) could be examined only within the framework of an international peacekeeping force - a consideration he said exists only in theory.

"It's too soon for anyone to say that international organizations are ready to take such a decision," spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

Meanwhile, north of the border, a tenuous ceasefire was apparently still holding on Tuesday, although representatives for the Albanian insurgents that have taken up arms against the Skopje government said they were now in range of the capital and its international airport.

Reppas added that none of Greece's borderline military units has been placed on any type of higher alert status.

He also reiterated Athens' direct interest in preserving FYROM as national entity, while reminding that all current initiatives to resolve the crisis are revolving around a political and diplomatic axis.

On Monday in Luxembourg, the EU's 15 foreign ministers called for the immediate cease-fire and disarming of the Albanian groups in the Balkan country, at the end of a meeting here.

Papandreou said the EU's security and defense High Representative, Javier Solana, briefed the EU council of ministers on his talks with FYROM's leadership over the past few days.

According to Papandreou, Solana said that he succeeded in bringing back to the negotiating table both the representatives of the dominant Slav community and those of the Albanian minority that are participating in the coalition Skopje government.

In his address to the council, Papandreou stressed that Greece insisted on a specific timetable for the completion of negotiations, adding that the other EU ministers accepted his proposal.

The ministers also adopted a Greek proposal on inviting FYROM Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski to visit Luxembourg in two weeks, when the EU's council of ministers will meet again, to brief them on the results of negotiations in his country to resolve the issue.

Gligorov visit: Meanwhile, in a related development, veteran FYROM leader and one-time president Kiro Gligorov continued his visit to Athens on Tuesday, one day after the presentation of his autobiography, entitled "Memoirs", on Monday night.

During a press conference yesterday, Gligorov indirectly commented on the "name" issue separating the two countries, by claiming that in 1992 (at a time when Constantine Mitsotakis was prime minister in Greece) he had been approached by unnamed Greek agents offering him one million US dollars to consent to a name change for his newly independent state.

Mitsotakis immediately issued a vehement denial on Monday evening, stressing that "the specific reference lacks any seriousness" while terming the allegation "irrational and crude."

On Tuesday, Gligorov returned to the issue, following a meeting with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

"I neither charged or attacked Mr. Mitsotakis. I don't have any proof that this was done on his orders. I simply said exactly what happened and what my answer was," FYROM's first president said in regard to the passage in his book.

Commenting on the same matter, spokesman Reppas referred all questions to Mitsotakis' statements, adding that the former New Democracy prime minister's response was "more than adequate".

Gligorov was later received by Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos, who called the situation in FYROM "dangerous for Greece and all of Europe".

"The governments of the EU, NATO and the United States shouldn't be hypocritical by placing in the same basket governments of independent countries and armed bands of mercenaries," Constantopoulos said.

[02] DM says insistence on Kosovo independence will mean confrontation or war

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos was speaking to three journalists from television channels in Yugoslavia, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

"Consequently, if one of the two sides tries to achieve one of these two targets, the result shall be a confrontation between the two sides, a war. There is no doubt about this," he said.

Tsohatzopoulos said a democratic system with parallel economic and social development and peaceful relations with all neighbors is the only framework which can safeguard the future of all Kosovo inhabitants.

He added that the increase in KFOR's forces on FYROM's borders is a positive development which might lead to a solution to the problem of Albanian extremists infiltrating Kosovo.

"A democratic form of government can never accept a discussion with any side using force or weapons. Because this means that this country is in a state of dissolution and will not last for long. The international community will never accept that a terrorist group can participate in negotiating for a peaceful solution to FYROM's problem," he said.

Tsohatzopoulos further said FYROM has a sizeable Albanian minority, maybe 20, 30 or 40 percent, but the problem is that these people should have equal rights such as all the other citizens do.

This is clear, he added, for a modern democratic state and for anyone regardless of his origin, color, religion or name.

[03] Karamanlis in Sweden this week for EPP summit

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

The ND president will head a high-ranking party delegation, which includes deputy Dora Bakoyianni.

Goteborg will host a European Union summit meeting this week.

[04] Christodoulos to pay first-ever visit by Greek Archbishop to Cyprus

NICOSIA, 13/06/2001 (ANA-G. Leonidas/CNA)

The sources said Christodoulos was due to arrive in Nicosia on September 25, as part of a series of visits by the Archbishop to Orthodox Patriarchate’s and Autocephalus Churches launched shortly after his enthronement in 1998 following the death of Archbishop Serapheim.

Christodoulos has already visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul, Turkey, the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, and more recently the Patriarchate of Moscow.

About a year ago, Archbishop Chryssostomos of Cyprus paid a visit to Greece.

The Greek and Cypriot Churches were working closely to prepare the itinerary of the visit, the sources said, adding that Christodoulos would tour all the Metropolises of the free sector of Cyprus and also hold talks with the political leadership.

[05] Outgoing U.S. ambassador says Greeks and Americans allies in war and peace

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Burns was speaking at a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Athens College. The event was attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis and members of Parliament.

"On a human level, the three million Greeks in America and the one hundred thousand Americans in Greece have produced literally thousands of fraternal, social and educational organizations that link as a bridge our two nations to each other in friendship," he said.

"Athens College is perhaps the finest example of what is best in our Greek-American relationship as it is a union of two nations, two peoples, two cultures, two educational systems. In a way, this Greek school lives symbiotically with its American beginning in a unique marriage of Greek and American values and pedagogical thought," Burns added.

[06] PASOK announces memorial service for 5-year anniversary of Andreas Papandreou's death

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Specifically, a memorial service will be held at Papandreou's grave on June 23 - the date of his death -- at the Athens First Cemetery. According to press reports, efforts will be made for a joint service in coordination with the family of PASOK's founder.

Additionally, an event honoring Papandreou is scheduled for July 2 at the "Melina Mercouri" outdoor theatre in the Vyronas district, with Prime Minister Costas Simitis expected to attend.

PASOK's executive secretariat announced the decisions.

[07] Mutual fund assets drop in May vs. April

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Returns on domestic equity and composite funds remained in negative territory, while returns on domestic fixed income and money market funds held positive ground, although still at low levels, the union said in a monthly report.

[08] Greek Finance Minister announces economic development policy

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Addressing an Economist conference on "The Electronic Community" in Athens, Papantoniou said modern economies tend to base more on knowledge, technology and a constant upgrade of human resources.

The countries that have adopted new technology in the production process have achieved speedier growth, boosted employment and contained unemployment and inflation pressures, National Economy Minister said.

Papantoniou said the ministry's policy was based on promoting a structural reform program, simplifying administration procedures, deregulating domestic markets and institutional reforms.

He noted that investments funded by a Third Community Support Framework and a government-sponsored New Economy Development Fund (TANEO) would also help to a speedier adoption of new economy and information society policies.

Papantoniou said that the government has earmarked around one trillion drachmas for investments on information society in the period 2000-2006.

TANEO was expected to play a significant role in the introduction, development and distribution of new technologies and supporting business activity in the country, he said.

The government has earmarked 150 billion drachmas for TANEO's activities in the next four years.

Papantoniou said creation of a New Stock Market (NEXA) on the Athens Stock Exchange was also expected to boost small- and medium-sized enterprises.

[09] Plastics of Crete announces investments in Poland and Turkey

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

The new company acquired the master batches production facilities of Poli-Chem Ltd, an announcement of the company to the ASE board said. Global Colors Polska is an 100 per cent subsidiary of Plastics of Crete.

The same announcement noted that Plastics of Crete increased by one million marks the capital of its Turkish subsidiary Senkroma Boyar Madde Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, having paid 780,000 marks as it owns 77 per cent of the company.

[10] Social Security Foundation to operate paperless record system by 2002

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

The new system will be operational on January 1, 2002, IKA Chairman Miltiades Nektarios said on Tuesday, during his address to a conference organized in Athens by the "Economist" magazine.

The construction of the new electronic databank system will be contracted out with the outsourcing method, aiming to establish an electronic network which will be entitled "IKANET", connecting all branches to a central system, Nektarios said.

The 5-billion drachma contract for the project will be open for tenders until June 20 and will be followed by a tender for an electronic medical filing system aiming to cut down on bureaucratic costs.

[11] Merchant marine minister says cabotage bill the basis for passenger shipping

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Papoutsis was speaking at the beginning of a Parliamentary debate on the cabotage bill, the creation of a Ports and Port Policy General Secretariat and the conversion of port funds into SA companies.

Commenting on the bill, anticipating cabotage deregulation as of November 1, 2002, Papoutsis said it constitutes the basis for passenger shipping in the 21st century.

He also referred to certain "strange and suspicious" reports in foreign newspapers, pointing out that in this way an attempt is being made to blackmail travel agents abroad to achieve cheap packages.

[12] Corinth Canal closed due to strike in protest of operation concession

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

The Canal, a key timesaving route for Mediterranean shipping, will be closed from 0600-2200 on both days.

The strikers are demanding that the government cancel its decision for concession of the Canal's operation to the British company Sea Containers for the next 30 years, with an option to extend the concession contract for a further five years.

Sea Containers Services Ltd of the United Kingdom, a subsidiary of the Sea Containers Group, was in March declared the winner of a tender to operate the Corinth Canal.

The company was the sole bidder in the repeat international tender after more than 15 firms from Greece and abroad had expressed interest in both tenders.

Sea Containers Services offered an annual lease in the 30-year contract of 10 percent of gross profits per year, with a minimum guaranteed annual payment of between 153 million drachmas and 844 million drachmas.

The minimum total financial gain for the state would be more than 10 billion drachmas at current rates, while Sea Containers would carry out investments of 3.0 billion drachmas in the first ten years of the contract in order to boost tourism and economic growth in the area, according to a finance ministry statement at the time.

The Canal, about 60 kilometers west of Athens, was opened in 1893 and shortens the distance from Greece's main port of Piraeus to Brindisi, Italy, by approximately 320 km. The only alternative route is sailing round the Peloponnese.

[13] Turkish businessmen to participate in Balkan business conference in Athens

ISTANBUL, 13/06/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The conference is organized by the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization Business Council in cooperation with the Representation Committee of the Greek business community.

"This meeting is indicative of the improved relations between the countries of the Balkans, as well as the important contribution of the economic and commercial relations toward the stability and development of the region," Istanbul based Global Brokers director Dimitris Theodorou.

[14] Blue chip buying lifts ASE higher

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said very tight liquidity conditions pressured prices of 55 stock shares to new record-low for the year. On the other hand, Commercial Bank (+2.82%), Hellenic Telecoms (+1.75%), Alpha Bank (+1.57%), Viohalco (+2.63%), Petzetakis (+4.21%) and Titan (+1.72%) scored gains, while banks and telecoms accounted for almost 50 percent of the day's turnover.

Analysts said the market would find long-term support at the 2,880-2,820 levels.

The general index ended 0.39 percent higher at 2,887.92 points, off the day's highs of 2,913.22 points, with turnover a low 145.32 million euros, or 49.52 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,697.14 points, up 0.74 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.14 percent to 322.46 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 888.70 points, off 1.13 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 265.62 points, off 1.00 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 251 to 83 with another 27 issues unchanged. Lanacam, Halyps, Neorion, Xifias, AB Vassilopoulos, Micromedia-Britannia, Barba Stathis, Jumbo, Petzetakis and Pairis scored the biggest percentage gains, while ETMA, Korfil, Aeoliki, Imaco, Mosholios, Ionian Hotels and Elektra suffered the heaviest losses.

Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Alpha Bank, National Real Estate and Interamerican were the most heavily traded stocks.

Equity futures finish higher: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Tuesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.74 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.14 percent higher.

Traded were 10,525 contracts on turnover of 60.6 million euros.

Bond prices drop in heavy trade: 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 5.52 percent same as a trading day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 43.7 basis points from 44 in the previews session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 1.35 billion euros (460 billion drachmas) from 57 million euros (196 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier.

Sell orders were almost balanced.

[15] German museum's return of ancient Greek artifacts highlighted in bid for repatriation of Parthenon Marbles from Britain

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

The decision, according to Simitis, assumed "even greater importance in light of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens" as Ancient Olympia was the site of the original Olympic Games in antiquity.

The press office of the Greek Embassy in London said it had prepared a press release in English on the Pergamum Museum's decision and forwarded it to the British media, given the "particular importance" of the decision with respect to Greece's campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum in London, where they are currently housed.

The 5th century B.C. Marbles were removed from the Parthenon by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century with tacit permission of local Ottoman administrators then ruling in the area. Elgin removed the friezes and other parts of the impressive Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to the ancient goddess Athena, and sold them to the British Museum in 1816.

The press release explains that in 1875, Greece signed an agreement with Germany allowing German archaeologists to excavate the historical site of Olympia, and the excavations revealed many priceless and stunning artifacts.

As a gesture of appreciation, the Greek government decided in 1892 to offer Germany some of the artifacts, mainly parts of the foundations of a monument dedicated to Philip II of Macedon celebrating both his military and athletic victories -- the Philippeion.

[16] Spanish architect delivers draft plans for Olympic stadium's unification

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

"It is a solution to a modern framework which unifies the environmental issue, the issue of architecture, the issue of modern intervention in the city planning structure and the Olympic image required for a country on the occasion of the 2004 Olympic Games," Kalatrava said.

Kalatrava has linked his name to the aesthetic planning of some cities in his own country and many cities in Europe and the United States and his experience derives from the Barcelona Olympiad.

[17] Development ministry to support foreign filmmaking in Greece to boost tourism

Athens, 13/06/2001 (ANA)

[18] European statistical service reports low divorce rate in Greece

BRUSSELS, 13/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The report included more than 200,000 data sets collected over the 1989-1999 period showing that Greeks spent less than any other European on healthcare.

More specifically, in Greece 5.9 weddings were performed for every 1,000 citizens, compared to a Union average of 5.1, in 1999, while divorce proceedings in the same year accounted for 0.9 persons per 1,000, compared to an average of 1.8.

In other statistics, Greece experienced 4 per cent of births out of wedlock, compared to Sweden's 55 per cent, which was the highest in the Union.

Finally the report noted that Greeks spend 1,167 Purchasing Power Units for healthcare, the lowest in the Union.

Cyprus, European Union close another chapter during ministerial conference

BRUSSELS, 13/06/2001 (ANA-Y. Zitouniati / CNA)

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides represented Cyprus at the conference, at which the Swedish rotating presidency congratulated the Republic for the progress it achieved so far in adopting the aquis communautaire (EU laws and regulations).

The Cyprus Republic has provisionally closed 22 out of 29 chapters dealing with the European aquis.

Cyprus, along with Malta, have closed the chapter on Free Movement of People without a transitional period, which means there will be free movement of people immediately after the two countries join the EU.

The Cyprus Republic is included in the first six countries that opened accession talks in 1998 and is considered to be the front-runner in the effort to adopt European laws.

Swedish Foreign Minister and current President of the EU Council of Ministers Anna Lindh said, addressing reporters, that Turkey cannot exercise a veto in Cyprus' EU accession but "of course it can facilitate the situation".

Earlier on Tuesday Kasoulides met with German Minister of State responsible for European Affairs at the Federal Foreign Office, Christoph Zopel, with whom he discussed the Republic's EU accession course and briefed him on the present impasse in the UN effort for a settlement in Cyprus.

The UN held five rounds of proximity talks in a bid to pave the ground for a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory.

The effort reached an impasse in January when the Turkish side refused to participate further unless there is a change in the process and the illegal entity in the Turkish occupied part of the island is recognized.

[19] Cyprus government satisfied with UN Security Council statement

NICOSIA, 13/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"The government is satisfied with the statement, as it is in the right direction," government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said, adding that the UN make it abundantly clear that the Turkish side's stance in the Cyprus peace effort runs contrary to the will of the international community.

After a meeting Monday, during which it was briefed by the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, the Security Council urged the parties involved to engage in the peace process and reaffirmed UN resolutions for a settlement.

In a statement to the press, Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury of Bangladesh said the members "welcomed and supported" Annan's intention to continue with the process of proximity talks he had initiated in November 1999 and urged "all those involved to engage with him constructively and effectively in the process."

He also reaffirmed all Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, particularly resolution 1251 of 1999, that calls on both sides to refrain from acts of provocation, and reaffirmed that a settlement "must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities."

The Security Council President's statement reaffirms Security Council resolutions providing that a bizonal, bicommunal federation is set up in Cyprus, the government spokesman said, describing these references of "particular importance".

The Council was also briefed on the UN Secretariat's consultations with the parties over the extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months.

The UN has some 1.200 peacekeepers in Cyprus, who patrol a 180-kilometre-long buffer zone across the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory in the summer of 1974.

[20] Clerides departs for Sweden

LARNACA, 13/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to the press at Larnaca Airport before his departure, President Clerides said Cyprus is a front-runner among the countries that will accede to the Union during its next enlargement, while referring to the Irish referendum, by which the Irish people said "no" to the Nice Treaty, Clerides noted that "there are indications that a second referendum will take place and that it will have a different outcome."

The president also said that Cyprus is ready to close another three chapters of the acquis communautaire in its harmonization process, but noted that some of the chapters would not close before forthcoming elections in France and Germany.

Cyprus, which opened negotiations with the EU in 1998, has already provisionally closed 22 of the 29 chapters for its harmonization with the European norms and regulations.

President Clerides also said that during the meeting of the heads of the EU 15 member-states with the heads of the candidate countries to take place next Saturday, the latter would be briefed on the decisions taken by the members-states during this Summit and would be asked to express their views on them, while there would be a general exchange of views on current issues.

On his way to Sweden, the president will stop over in London. Asked whether he will have any meetings during his stay there, President Clerides said he had not requested any meetings and that he would be visiting London for personal reasons.

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