Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis: Existing borders in Balkans should be preserved

[02] PM says prospect of Greater Albania unacceptable

[03] U.S. and Greek FMs sign agreement on status of U.S. forces in Greece

[04] Greek embassy flatly denies Turkish report claiming Aegean survey

[05] Greek monk the latest victim of Mideast violence

[06] Press report claims Turkish F-16 contract with French firm cancelled

[07] US envoy speaks on relations with Greece, Greek role in Balkans

[08] PASOK secretary refers to PASOK's return to 'victorious strategy'

[09] Kokkalis Program organizes meeting of prominent Balkan figures in Istanbul

[10] State revenues up 4.8 percent in May

[11] Athens summit focuses on SE Europe business prospects, trade

[12] Labor minister warns over increasing rates of poverty

[13] Greece rejects EU Commission proposals to ban tobacco subsidies

[14] Olympic Airways' pilots in joint bid in OA'a sale

[15] Ship owners criticize cabotage bill and threaten to seek recourse in EU

[16] Technology Forum to bring together Greek-Israeli businesses

[17] Greek stocks up in technical rebound

[18] France to donate rescue vessel to Paros in appreciation of mobilization after Express Samina ferry sinking

[19] Press ministry announces winners of expatriate Greek media awards

[20] Book on Cyprus presented

[21] 3rd World Conference of Greeks from Egypt to be held in Athens June 15-17

[22] Rogge back in Athens next week for briefing over Olympic preparations

[23] Spanish architect Calatrava to design Olympic Stadium commuter station

[24] Kapralos - interview - hotels in Athens

[25] President Clerides meets Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus

[26] Council of Europe requested to force Ankara respect ruling

[01] Simitis: Existing borders in Balkans should be preserved

BRUSSELS, 14/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Simitis said the breakup of the Balkans into small states should be averted and reminded of a Greek proposal for negotiations to be held with the purpose of finding a consensual solution in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as soon as possible.

He expressed support for strengthening the presence of NATO and the European Union in the region and satisfaction over the fact that NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson will visit FYROM on Thursday.

Simitis also stressed the need for "sealing FYROM's borders with Kosovo", as well as the restriction of the activities of Diaspora Albanians who support extremist organizations in FYROM.

On the question of European defense, Simitis said that for the time being vagueness exists in NATO and discussions on the issue will continue.

Simitis, referring to the anti-missile protection system being promoted by Washington, said it should not lead to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

[02] PM says prospect of Greater Albania unacceptable

BRUSSELS, 14/06/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

FYROM President Boris Trajkovski presented a new agreement between the parties involved in the crisis in his country at NATO's special summit, which has adopted many proposals contained in the Greek plan on a "speedy dialogue" for an exit to the crisis.

The Greek plan anticipates intensive consultations for a solution to basic issues in the region in a period of 10 days at the most.

Referring to issues examined during the summit, during a press conference, Simitis mentioned views heard on European defense.

All European leaders stressed the need for Europe to have its own defense. French President Jacques Chirac said "in harmony with NATO", German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder "without parallel structures with the alliance" with the possibility of taking and implementing its own decisions.

Simitis said Greece considers it necessary that Europe should decide on its defense without cooperation with NATO leading to inability decision-making.

He added that the possibility of an autonomous European defense was the general trend prevailing at the summit "since it was even highlighted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair who is usually reserved on such issues".

Simitis further said the view that the European Union should have its own apparatuses for implementing decisions it takes is met positively.

Regarding the "vagueness", as Simitis said, in the complication caused by Turkey, regarding cooperation between NATO and the EU, with its insistence in participating in the EU's decisions on European defense when the alliance's structures are used, he said the issue will be examined and discussed further at both bodies.

The summit also preoccupied itself with NATO's enlargement, which all leaders considered necessary and on which decisions will be taken at their next summit in Prague in November 2002.

Simitis expressed support for enlargement to include Romania and Bulgaria in particular, to strengthen security in southeastern Europe, proposing that Russia should cooperate in this process but without the possibility of exercising a veto.

Government spokesman: Greece will participate with a military force if the international community decides to send a multinational mission to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to impose the peace, government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said on Wednesday.

He added, however, that the Greek government favored a solution of the crisis through dialogue rather than force.

According to Hytiris, Greece is currently working on an integrated plan for resolving the FYROM crisis, which would be presented to its NATO partners by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

The spokesman reiterated yet again that Greece absolutely opposed any prospect of a change in borders in the Balkan region.

[03] U.S. and Greek FMs sign agreement on status of U.S. forces in Greece

BRUSSELS, 14/06/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

"The signing of the CTA is a major step forward in the two countries' military relationship. The agreement consolidates, clarifies and updates provisions of numerous bilateral agreements that supplemented the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement of 1990. It coincides with vastly expanded military arms transfers and training between the two militaries during the last three years. With the signing of the CTA, U.S. – Greek military ties are stronger than at any time in recent memory," said a U.S. embassy press release.

"Last week the American Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, visited Thessaloniki, where he praised the strong defense relationship between our two countries. The signing of the CTA this afternoon at NATO headquarters testifies to the strength and dynamism of that relationship, whose framework now reflects the reality of two NATO partners working cooperatively in the region," U.S. Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns said afterwards.

[04] Greek embassy flatly denies Turkish report claiming Aegean survey

ISTANBUL, 14/06/2001 (ANA – A. Kourkoulas)

In a statement sent to Turkey’s semi-official Anadolu news agency, the Greek embassy stressed that the vessel in question, the “Sentinel”, has been carrying out survey work in the Aegean since May 23 “with the sole purpose of checking out the condition of existing telecom cable nodules and the possibility of laying additional fiber optic cables, from Attica towards Thessaloniki and in the Mirtoon Sea to Crete.”

Embassy press counselor Grigoris Arzoglou added in his written statement that the vessel’s surveys are being conducted under the supervision of Greece’s state-run telecoms utility, OTE, and will be completed by June 21.

“It is clear, therefore, that the work carried out by the S/V ‘Sentinel’ is totally unrelated to any ‘geophysical studies in international waters’, as mentioned in Anadolu’s dispatch,” Arzoglou said, while adding that the Greek and Turkish foreign ministries have already exchanged “necessary information” over the matter.

The issue arose after Anadolu disseminated a news dispatch entitled “Greece sends research vessel to the Aegean”. The report claimed that the ship was ostensibly planning to carry out geophysical and seismological surveys, the necessary research precursor for oil exploration on the high seas.

The dispatch also referred to a prohibition on conducting such research in the Aegean’s international waters as emanating from a specific article – VI – in the 1976 Berne protocol signed by Athens and Ankara.

The focus on the “Sentinel” comes two weeks after Athens re-quested clarifications over the scope and area of research a Turkish oceanographic vessel, the " Piri Reis ", would conduct in either the Aegean or another sea region, while calling its inquiries a simple precaution.

The “Piri Reis” made headlines late last month in the Greek capital after an article published by the Athens daily "Kathimerini" claimed that an issue was developing in Greek-Turkish relations after Ankara informed Athens that the Turkish vessel – property of the Izmir University -- would carry out research in the Aegean as of June 4.

At the time, Greece’s foreign ministry asked for clarifications over the exact geographical co-ordinates the “Piri Reis” would cover, explaining that standard international practice dictates that countries announce the co-ordinates of missions -- as had been done.

The issue was considered closed after the Turkish side's explanations satisfied Athens.

[05] Greek monk the latest victim of Mideast violence

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Father Ieronymos Tsibouktsakis was killed while reportedly headed in his car for the Monastery of St. George, near Biblical Jericho.

In reference to the killing, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres offered his condolences on Wednesday to the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“Unfortunately, he was another victim of the violence. I hope he is the last,” Peres said.

The Israeli side pointed directly at Palestinian gunmen for the fatal attack, adding that the perpetrators believed they were shooting at Israeli passengers, as Father Ieronymos’ vehicle sported Israeli license plates.

According to reports, the gunmen opened fire from within another vehicle that subsequently fled the scene.

The death of the Orthodox monk brings the grim tally since last September to 608 victims – 480 Palestinians, 109 Israelis, 13 Israel-based Arabs and six European nationals.

[06] Press report claims Turkish F-16 contract with French firm cancelled

ISTANBUL, 14/06/2001 (ANA – E. Aretaios)

According to a report in the mass daily “Milliyet”, the decision was taken after Washington’s alleged displeasure over the prospect of non US-made counter-measures hardware being fitted on the Turkish F-16s.

[07] US envoy speaks on relations with Greece, Greek role in Balkans

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Burns, who is to be replaced at the Athens Embassy by Tom Miller, named five priority areas on which his successor would have to work on with the Greek government.

The first priority, he said, would be Greek-US cooperation in the Balkans, where Greece can play a key role as the only European country familiar with the Balkan region in promoting programs for reconstruction and economic development.

Greece and the US, he added, would also have to work on further improving relations in the framework of NATO, since the Alliance was now taking on a very different role and had learned valuable lessons from recent developments - especially those in Kosovo.

Describing bilateral military relations as excellent, he then spoke of the need to further develop bilateral economic ties and to increase US investments in Greece and especially cooperation in development, tourism and civil aviation.

The US Ambassador also referred to Washington's lively interest in a solution to the Cyprus problem. He said the US government was in favor of reinitiating proximity talks under UN auspices and stressed that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should return to the talks.

Expressing satisfaction at the policy of Greek-Turkish rapprochement, meanwhile, Burns said that cooperation between Turkey, Greece and the European Union should be further reinforced. He also said that Greece, Turkey and the US needed to join forces to combat drug smuggling.

Commenting on the new and tougher anti-terrorism measures recently passed by the Greek Parliament, Burns said cooperation between Greek and US anti-terrorism services was excellent.

[08] PASOK secretary refers to PASOK's return to 'victorious strategy'

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Skandalidis said the reversal could take place step-by-step. He added that the steps for such a course are the Central Committee's session in mid-July on local administration, the beginning of the process for the congress, which will take place at a Central Committee session and will be combined with the Thessaloniki International Fair, elections to take place at chambers of commerce in December and municipal and prefectural elections in October 2002.

Skandalidis further stressed that the move aimed at reversing the climate will be based on two axes. The first will be a modern social state and the second the political system's institutional restructuring.

He said the thought of issuing an informative pamphlet in the course towards the congress is being considered, while organizing conferences in September and October is being examined.

[09] Kokkalis Program organizes meeting of prominent Balkan figures in Istanbul

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

The Istanbul meeting, which comprises the third and final part of this year's educational program that was launched in March at Harvard University in the US, will be attended by 25 prominent officials holding key positions in the political and economic sectors of their countries.

The delegates include the government spokesman of FYROM, ministers from the Serb and Turkish governments, members of Romania's senate, and advisors of the Bulgarian president and the prime ministers of Albania and Greece.

[10] State revenues up 4.8 percent in May

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Public revenues, however, exceeded a budget target in the January-May period showing a surplus of 60 billion drachmas, the ministry said in a report.

Regular budget's revenues rose 9.0 percent in the first five months of 2001, exceeding a budget target for an 8.0 percent increase.

Tax agencies' revenues rose 4.9 percent in May and 8.7 percent in the first five months of the year, customs revenues rose 4.2 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, while value added tax revenues increased by 6.1 percent in May and by 12 percent in the January-May period.

[11] Athens summit focuses on SE Europe business prospects, trade

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

In inaugurating the conference, entitled “Balkan & South East European Business Summit”, Deputy Economy Minister Yiannis Zaphiropoulos stressed that three countries – Russia, Turkey and Greece – will continue in the near future to exercise a significant role in southeast Europe.

According to the deputy minister, Athens considers it correct to support Turkey’s efforts at overcoming the latest economic crisis plaguing the neighboring country, much along the same lines as its support for Moscow a few years ago.

Athens has announced that it will allocate some 550 million euros between 2001-2005 for funding the reconstruction plan in the Balkans.

Furthermore, Zaphiropoulos added that the Greek government would open a significant credit line in order to stimulate bilateral trade relations between Greece and Turkey.

On his part, Turkish ambassador to Greece Ali Tuygan expressed a certainty that his country will overcome the ongoing economic crisis that erupted last February. He also noted that a bloated budget deficit combined with a galloping public debt, rampant inflation and serious deficiencies in the financial sector – particularly state banks – were the primary reasons for the Turkish mini-crash.

The Turkish envoy repeated Ankara’s standing positions that it is making every effort to meet political and economic criteria for EU accession, with business and trade cooperation throughout the Balkans as a positive means to achieving this goal.

Greek Transport and Telecommunications Minister Christos Verelis said a basic EU target for the region is to complete the construction of inter-related transport, telecoms and energy networks in the region by 2010.

Finally, the president of the Greek business council for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries, entrepreneur Panayiotis Koutsikos, listed the trade figures between Greece and Black Sea region countries over the past two years.

Specifically, Greek exports to BSEC countries – sans Turkey – in 1999 totalled $1.17 billion, with imports at $1.11 billion. Last year, according to initial estimates, the same levels stood at $1.329 billion for exports, with imports from BSEC countries reaching the $1.849-billion mark.

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Koutsikos said Athens’ stance at the 1999 Helsinki EU summit – where Turkey was christened an EU candidate-state and where Ankara accepted several stiff preconditions for entry – dramatically expanded regional cooperation.

“There is, of course, competition between Greek and Turkish firms in local markets, but it’s competition that undoubtedly attracts the interest of international capital to the region, while partnerships between local businesses and multinationals already exist,” he said.

[12] Labor minister warns over increasing rates of poverty

GENEVA, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Giannitsis was speaking at the International Labor Organization’s 89th session, being held here as of June 5 and focusing primarily on decent work.

He said that for the Greek government the goal of decent work occupied a central place in its economic and social policies, adding that decent work has six essential elements: access to work, fair remuneration, improving quality in work, trust, protection of workers rights and strong social security systems.

Giannitsis further said the Greek government's policies are based on four principles. The mutual reinforcing of economic development, growth and social policy, top priority for employment in the political agenda, the strengthening of the economy and the ability of the institutional framework to adjust appropriately and the taking of initiatives at European Union and international organization level.

He also stressed that Greece respects the fundamental principles of the International Labor Organization and has ratified the majority of international labor conventions.

[13] Greece rejects EU Commission proposals to ban tobacco subsidies

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

He was replying to proposals by the European Commission and its president Romano Prodi to cut tobacco subsidies in the EU.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with representatives from the tobacco industry, Anomeritis said a view that European citizens smoked cigarettes because EU was a big tobacco grower was hypocritical since the European Union produced only 6 percent of the world production, while imports accounted for 70 percent the EU tobacco industry.

[14] Olympic Airways' pilots in joint bid in OA'a sale

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Sources close to the pilots' union said that OA's pilots demands would include that the national carrier's personnel would not exceed 7,500 from around 10,500 currently, that OA's staff would be offered 10.0 percent more shares from a 6.0 percent pledged by the state and that any changes in labor relations would be made through collective bargaining.

The Australian-US group is said to be offering 140-145 billion drachmas (of which 20 billion drachmas are covered by OA's pilots) to buy a 65 percent equity stake in the Greek national carrier.

Cyprus Airways is said to be offering 30 billion drachmas to buy a 50 percent equity stake in Olympic Airways, while according to sources Restis Group would offer 100 billion drachmas to purchase a 51 percent stake in OA.

Olympic Airways is expected to receive May's revenues by June 25, estimated at around 20 billion drachmas, a sum capable to finance the carrier's operations until October.

OA said its passenger traffic fell 22 percent during the first months of operation at a new Athens airport at Spata, compared with a 35 percent decline in its competitors.

The fall in passenger traffic is attributed to higher airport fees, a factor making domestic air transport much more expensive compared with other means of transport like shipping.

[15] Ship owners criticize cabotage bill and threaten to seek recourse in EU

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

EEA President Stelios Zambetakis said the "law is stifling us", adding that it is only superficially a law on deregulating passenger shipping since in essence "it is full of state interventions."

He further said EEA will contest the bill at the European Commission's relevant committee and necessary preparatory work has already been made to enable the Union to go ahead with these procedures.

Zambetakis also said companies belonging to EEA will examine the possibility of replacing the Greek flag on ships plying Adriatic routes to enable them to work in conditions of real deregulation, while EEA will examine the possibility of quitting the Passenger Shipping Advisory Committee.

[16] Technology Forum to bring together Greek-Israeli businesses

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a press conference with the Greek Federation of Information Technology Enterprises (SEPE), Mr. Distel stressed that the technology forum was a unique opportunity to expand cooperation, exchange of know-how and creating joint ventures between Greek and Israeli technology and telecommunications companies.

The Greek market offered a special opportunity to Israeli companies ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the significant prospects from Greek enterprises' expansion in the Balkans.

Bilateral trade in technology products totals 300 million US dollars, while Greek investments to Israel total 30 million US dollars.

Cosmote, Intracom, Intrasoft, InfoQuest, Pouliadis Group, Interdata, Petrola and Telestet were among the biggest names to participate in the forum, organized by the Israeli embassy's export department and SEPE.

[17] Greek stocks up in technical rebound

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Banks and telecoms, the two sectors that accounted for the biggest part of the previous days' turnover, on Wednesday accounted for only 28.60 percent of the day's turnover. Textiles, Construction, Wholesale and Publishing led the advance.

The general index ended 0.39 percent higher at 2,899.32 points, off the day's highs of 2,910 points. Turnover was a low 154.10 million euros, or 52.51 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,697.14 points, off 0.23 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 1.75 percent to 328.09 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 920.39 points, up 3.57 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 273.86 points, up 3.10 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 300 to 52 with another 10 issues unchanged.

MLS Informatics soared 33.38 percent on the first day of trading in the market. ETMA, Korfil, Imaco, Stabilton, Naoussa Spinning, Athenian Holdings and Klonatex scored the biggest percentage gains, while Halyps, ForthNet, Kleeman Hellas, Lanakam, Aspis Life, Boutaris, Desmos, PC Systems, ETEBAbank and Coca Cola HBC suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank, Cosmote and Titan Cement were the most heavily traded stocks.

Bond prices unchanged in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished almost unchanged in moderate trade with players focusing on 10-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 same as in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 505 million euros (172 billion drachmas) from 1.35 billion euros (460 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Equity futures finish mixed: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished with mixed results on Wednesday, reflecting conditions in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.23 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.75 percent up.

Traded were 8,771 contracts on turnover of 60 million euros.

[18] France to donate rescue vessel to Paros in appreciation of mobilization after Express Samina ferry sinking

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

An announcement by the French Embassy in Athens said that the French ambassador and General Consul would present a Zodiac rescue boat to the Paros municipality during a special ceremony on June 18 in a gesture of appreciation for the locals' "immediate mobilization" to rescue and provide assistance and hospitality to the survivors of the shipwrecked "Express Samina" ferry, which included 11 French citizens, "displaying a deep sense of solidarity".

The Express Samina, with some 500 people on board, sank September 26 last year in a gale off the coast of Paros after it scraped a well-marked rocky outcropping, resulting in the death of 80 people.

The announcement said that a representative of the company Zodiac-Grece would also be attending the ceremony.

[19] Press ministry announces winners of expatriate Greek media awards

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

The prizes were established three years ago by Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, while they have increased from two to four for the first time this year.

Prizes are now given for the best expatriate Greek mass medium in the year 2000 (eight million drachma cash prize), the best news report by an expatriate Greek radio or TV channel in 2000 (three million drachmas), best news report or article in the expatriate Greek press or periodicals in 2000 (two million drachmas) and the best expatriate Greek website in 2000 (two million drachmas).

There were a total of 59 entries from 12 countries, while the winners are:

The US newspaper “Proini” and the Canadian radio station “Akropolis Radio Network” share the prize for best medium. Distinctions in this category were also given to the 'Avramis Greek Show' appearing in Canada and the Chilean radio program 'Grecia'.

Katerina Papadopoulou at Canada’s CFMT-International TV station and Stergio Mountsakis working at Argo TV in Germany shared the prize for best TV report. A distinction in this category was awarded to Aleksandr Kriva at Radio Sebastopol in the Ukraine.

The prize for best article was awarded to Ioannis Stavrou, for his piece in the Austrian magazine "Akatos" and a distinction was given to Igor Moschouri from the Ukraine's "Elliniki Efimerida".

The best website award was given to Athanasios Evaggelou (Aktigram, France) for the website www.info-grece.com.

[20] Book on Cyprus presented

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

The book by Cypriot journalist and former press attache at the Cyprus Embassy in Athens Costas Yennaris, entitled 'From East', provides the results of a historical research on Turkey's policies in Cyprus since the 1950's with special focus on Ankara's attempts to 'trap the Turkish-Cypriot community in a state of confrontation with the Greek Cypriot community on the island".

The book offers to the reader a "serious knowledge of the other side", as it was underlined during the presentation of the book.

Introductory comments were made during the presentation by Cyprus' Ambassador to Athens Christodoulos Pashiardis, former Greek Ambassador to Nicosia Kyriakos Rodousakis and ANA General Director Andreas Christodoulides.

[21] 3rd World Conference of Greeks from Egypt to be held in Athens June 15-17

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

It will aim at highlighting the multiform presence and activities of Greeks from Egypt who continue to distinguish themselves in all sectors of social, economic and cultural life.

The conference will be sponsored by the Patriarch of Alexandria Petros, the foreign ministry and the culture ministry and provides an opportunity for making an account of what has been done and for defining the course for the future.

[22] Rogge back in Athens next week for briefing over Olympic preparations

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Rogge was originally set to arrive in Athens in order to attend an event organized by the International Olympic Academy at Pnyx Hill, opposite the Acropolis.

According to Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) sources, however, Rogge wants a briefing on the hospitality program for the Games, following a recent standoff between Athens' hoteliers, ATHOC and the government, as well as on progress over road projects, the all-important Olympic Village, media centers and other venues.

An inter-ministerial committee set up to better coordinate 2004-related activities amongst several ministries will also convene on the same day to primarily examine the Games' budget, which has currently been set at 1.5 trillion drachmas. (One euro equals 340.750 drachmas)

According to reports, Rogge will be briefed ATHOC officials.

[23] Spanish architect Calatrava to design Olympic Stadium commuter station

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Transport and Communications minister Christos Verelis said Calatrava would submit, in three months, the design for the new commuter station for the ISAP subway, ETHEL city bus and OSE railroad networks and the suburban railway link currently under construction at the Neratziotissa juncture behind the OAKA (Olympic Athletic Center of Athens) stadium in the Kalogreza suburb.

The project will be completed in 2002, and was budgeted at 3.5-4 billion drachmas, he added.

The commuter station would be co-financed by the European Union under its Third Community Support Framework (CSF), ISAP, OSE and national resources.

Some 6,000 passengers commute daily on the above transportation means, and that number was expected to multiply during the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

According to Calatrava, passengers enter the commuter station will feel as if they had entered the Olympic village.

The Neratziotissa station will remain in use after the Olympic Games, and was expected to become a tourist attraction.

[24] Kapralos - interview - hotels in Athens

Athens, 14/06/2001 (ANA)

Kapralos said that the capital was short by up to 8,650 rooms compared with other cities hosting the Games, especially Sydney, and would be unable to meet the demand that would be created by the athletes, judges, officials and hundreds of thou-sands of visitors expected in the city during that time.

According to the ATHOC official, Athens needed 4,650 additional rooms in the top three categories (five-star to three-star), and another 4,000 rooms in the two-star category.

Athens hoteliers, however, object to plans to increase the number of rooms in the capital, claiming that occupancy rates are presently low and that additional rooms will further increase problems in filling hotels.

They are particularly opposed to government plans to encourage the building of new hotels in Athens' Maroussi district, near the Olympic facilities, by offering incentives (higher lot coverage and others). They have hinted, in fact, that they may terminate contracts already signed with ATHOC for advance bookings of 11,350 rooms - representing 80 per cent of Athens' present capacity - if the plans go ahead.

On his part, Kapralos noted that the Greek capital had relatively few hotel rooms compared with other large cities, particularly Sydney, and that ATHOC's concerns over hospitality were shared by the International Olympic Committee.

"In Sydney during the Games there were 44,116 hotel rooms in all categories. Athens now has just 28,907. The deficit appears even greater when one compares the number of rooms in the top three categories...In total the Australian capital had 38,585 rooms in the top three categories as opposed to 17,208 in the Greek capital today."

He urged hoteliers to take the "long view" and the increased tourist traffic that the Games would bring in their wake, while disputing whether hoteliers could unilaterally terminate their contracts with ATHOC in a legal fashion.

[25] President Clerides meets Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus

LONDON, 14/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a one-hour meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who stopped over in London on his way to Goteborg, Lord Hannay said the government's foreign policy was defined in the Labor Party's manifesto, which "contains references to everything, including the problem of Cyprus".

Asked whether he believed Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash would return to the negotiating table, Lord Hannay said he thought it was possible, but did not know when.

Referring to the Irish referendum, which rejected European Union enlargement, Lord Hannay said he did "not get the impression that anyone in the EU, including the Irish, will tolerate a delay", adding that "people will try and stick to the Road Map that they agreed after Nice and all the evidence that came out of the meeting in Luxembourg the other day".

Lord Hannay said he believed the outcome of the Goteborg European Council would be that "people regard that this (enlargement) is a high priority".

Cyprus' High Commissioner to Britain Myrna Kleopa, who attended the meeting, said President Clerides and Lord Hannay exchanged views on the present situation regarding the proximity talks on the Cyprus problem and the possibility of resuming the dialogue.

President Clerides leaves for Sweden on Friday.

[26] Council of Europe requested to force Ankara respect ruling

A Greek Cypriot, who has won a human rights violation case against Turkey, has requested the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to take all necessary measures to ensure that Ankara executes a Court judgment pending for nearly three years.

In a letter to the Committee president, Titina Loizidou urges the Committee to take whatever action is necessary to either suspend Turkey's rights of representation or request Ankara to withdraw from the Council, in view of its blatant disregard of the Court decision.

The letter, dated 11 June, was sent in view of discussions among

Committee members on a proposed text of an interim resolution on the need for compliance with the Court decision, which found Turkey guilty of violating Loizidou's human rights with regard to her property in the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

"It is now time, after nearly three years, for the Committee to take further action in accordance with Articles 3 and 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe since it is obvious that Turkey has clearly failed to give effect to the judgment," the letter said.

It also calls on the Committee to "take whatever action is necessary to suspend the rights of representation of the Turkish government and if deemed necessary to be requested to with-draw."

In dispatching her letter, Loizidou is exercising her individual right to demand execution of the Court decisions, as prescribed in the Court regulations.

The Committee, meeting Wednesday and Thursday, is set to discuss the draft of a third interim resolution relating to the implementation of the Court decision, said to have been written in "stronger terms" than the previous two.

A Turkish proposal, suggesting payment after the solution of the Cyprus question, is not included in this draft but is before the Committee.

The proposal says that Turkey's local subordinate administration in occupied Cyprus, and not Turkey itself, will lodge the amount of compensation (about 900,000 US dollars) in an account in Strasbourg to be collected by Loizidou upon a political settlement in Cyprus.

The proposal is deemed by legal and diplomatic sources as unacceptable.

The Court has set procedures for the payment of compensation it orders that are very specific.

The second interim resolution, adopted in July last year, said "the refusal of Turkey to execute the judgment of the Court demonstrates a manifest disregard for its international obligation, both as a high contracting party to the Convention and as a member state of the CoE."

It "strongly insists that Turkey comply fully and without any further delay with the European Court judgment."

Cyprus is divided since Turkey invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory in the summer of 1974.

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