Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Enlargement, sustainable growth and economic developments at EU summit agenda

[02] ND leader says intervention in FYROM 'might now be necessary'

[03] High-ranking Greek diplomat cites need for int'l action in

[04] Greece trying to be useful in FYROM crisis, US House subcommittee told

[05] House of Representatives subcommittee discusses US relations with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

[06] FM responds to tabled question over remarks on Turkey's 'White Cells'

[07] Parliament committee opts for allowing 39 radio stations in Attica

[08] U.S. and Greek militaries in biggest ever exercise on Skyros

[09] Greek agencies request prosecution against NATO officials for Yugoslavia bombings

[10] President receives new ambassadors' credentials

[11] French ambassador addresses event in Larissa

[12] Greece to utilize EU 2000-2006 funding to raise living standards of citizens

[13] Farmers threaten 'hot winter' if tobacco, cotton subsidies abolished

[14] Expenditures for pensions in Greece amount to 12.5 percent of

[15] Gov't to remain steadfast on decisions for passenger shipping, minister says

[16] 'Sitia' extra virgin olive oil wins international award

[17] Greek exporters say unharmed by FYROM crisis so far

[18] Greek stocks plunge to 30-month lows

[19] KETHEA survey reports sharp rise in cannabis use among teenagers

[20] Bomber who had hurled grenade at Turkish trucks arrested

[21] Greek community members go on trial for land register fraud on Imvros

[22] Gov't, hoteliers and Athens 2004 close to a deal on hotel capacity increase

[23] Solar energy industries protest exclusion from Olympiad projects

[24] Turkish side likely to return to talks, Clerides says

[25] Cyprus foreign minister holds talks with Finnish counterpart

[01] Enlargement, sustainable growth and economic developments at EU summit agenda

GOTEBORG, 15/06/2001 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

Simitis, who was speaking to Greek reporters before a working dinner between the EU's heads of state and government with U.S. President George W Bush, noted that enlargement would be the most important issue, one of particular interest for Greece, since it also concerns the accession of Cyprus.

In the afternoon, the prime minister and leader of the ruling PASOK party, attended a dinner for European Socialist Party (ESP) leaders in light of Friday's summit.

"This afternoon, we discussed, in the framework of the European Socialist Party, the summit which will be held tomorrow," he said.

Simitis said Greece believes that it should not insist on Friday that a specific date for accession should be fixed, such as that negotiations should be concluded at the end of 2002, since such a strict framework could create difficulties.

Consequently, he added, Greece will insist to the need for accession negotiations to proceed speedily in order to enable countries joining to participate in Euroelections in 2004.

Simitis said the decision's text should ascertain the very good course of Cyprus and the observance by it of its timetable.

On the question of sustainable growth, Simitis said the EU has decided to promote growth procedures swiftly at the same time as environmental protection.

Referring to Greece, he said the country has a specific environment, which should be protected and not destroyed.

As regards economic developments, the issue to be raised is the slowdown in growth rates of the American economy and its subsequent effect on the rates of the European economy, which are expected to slow down in this case.

However, a slowdown in the growth rate of the European economy is expected to affect the growth rate of the Greek economy as well.

Other issues on the summit's agenda will be foreign relations, the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as the Middle East and relations between the EU and Russia, while the results of U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Europe will also be assessed.

Reception for EU leaders: Simitis was to attend a reception on Thursday evening hosted by Swedish Prime Minister and the current EU council president Goran Persson for participants at an EU summit being held in the Swedish port city.

Meanwhile, in response to a press question, a government spokesman in Athens noted that no private meeting between US President George W. Bush -- who is also attending the summit -- and the Greek premier has been planned for after the dinner.

[02] ND leader says intervention in FYROM 'might now be necessary'

GOTEBORG, 15/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Karamanlis was addressing a press conference at the end of the European Peoples' Party's (EPP) summit, which ended here on Thursday evening.

He outlined the main points of his political recommendation on developments in the Balkans, which was unanimously ratified by the leaders of Europe's center-right. The EPP's summit focused primarily on developments in FYROM.

Speaking to Greek reporters shortly before the start to the EPP's summit, Karamanlis had said ND and the EPP had warned some time ago that developments in FYROM were on a dangerous course.

Karamanlis, who presented a special report on the Balkans at the meeting, said that both KFOR and NATO should have taken all necessary measures to prevent the activities of extremist forces and safeguard borders with Kosovo. His report was unanimously adopted by the EPP summit.

"Unfortunately, this did not happen and the international community should assume its responsibilities now," he said, adding that it is now extremely probable that the intervention of the international factor will be necessary to restore peace and order in FYROM.

Karamanlis stressed the need for a solution based on specific principles, which will safeguard peace and the protection of the Albanian minority's rights in FYROM.

Karamanlis had a long telephone conversation with FYROM's Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski on Wednesday, who briefed him on the seriousness of the situation in FYROM and on measures his government is promoting.

[03] High-ranking Greek diplomat cites need for int'l action in

FYROM BELGRADE, 15/06/2001 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The head of the Greek foreign ministry's international aid and cooperation service, veteran envoy Alexandros Rondos, made the statements during an interview with the "Sense" news agency here.

"There must be an intervention in FYROM sooner or later, otherwise, the price will be very high for all; for the residents of this country and for NATO as well," Rondos said, while pointing out that conflicts in the Balkans over the last decade have proven that the international community must act in a timely fashion.

He added that any NATO mission to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should be expanded in scope, much along the lines of the alliance's presence in adjacent Kosovo, without however, resembling an "invasion".

Finally, he said NATO's presence would have to comprise part of a comprehensive guarantee for any agreement mandating a cease-fire, disarmament and disengagement by the Albanian insurgents.

Hytiris: Greek proposals included in Trajkovski's plan for FYROM crisis Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA) Greece's proposals for resolving the crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have been incorporated in the proposals that FYROM President Boris Trajkovski plans to discuss with the republic's other parties, government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said on Thursday.

According to the spokesman, Athens' proposals are now being considered by Skopje, and would be discussed in the framework of talks between Trajkovski and the leaders of the other FYROM political parties on June 20-24.

Hytiris said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had essentially proposed that the borders between FYROM and Kosovo be sealed at the NATO summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

Addressing NATO's special summit, Simitis had stressed the need to preserve existing borders in the Balkans and prevent the breakup of the Balkans into small states. He reminded the summit of a Greek proposal to hold negotiations to find a consensual solution in FYROM as soon as possible.

The Greek prime minister 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 to "seal FYROM's borders with Kosovo", and to restrict the activities of Diaspora Albanians who support extremist organizations in FYROM.

Spokesman fields questions on alleged UCK fund raising in Greece: Greek authorities are aware of everything that happens within the country and take all necessary measures, government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said on Thursday.

Hytiris was responding to questions on whether Greek security forces were aware of fund-raising activities carried out by the Kosovo Liberation Army (self-styled UCK) in Greek territory.

The spokesman refused to clarify what measures were being taken.

[04] Greece trying to be useful in FYROM crisis, US House subcommittee told

WASHINGTON, 15/06/2001 (ANA - A. Ellis)

Purdue, a State Department official and advisor on the Balkans, described Athens' contribution to efforts to resolve the FYROM crisis as positive, adding that the Greek government had submitted a series of proposals on the better handling of the crisis.

[05] House of Representatives subcommittee discusses US relations with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey

WASHINGTON, 15/06/2001 (ANA-A. Ellis / CNA)

Ledsky, who explained he had not personally been involved with the Cyprus issue in eight years, appeared pessimistic, saying that a Cyprus solution was more difficult today than at any other time in the problem's 27-year history.

He added, however, that a solution was feasible, and should be founded on the ideas set out in 1992 by then UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Ledsky opined that Cyprus' application for EU membership, which he said was submitted with the best of intentions, and its progress towards attaining that goal had caused the reactions of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and created a problem in efforts for a solution, as Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots feared Cyprus' EU accession would lead to the deployment of a European force on the island.

He further said that the US should not appoint a new US presidential emissary for Cyprus since for the next 18 to 24 months the EU would have the initiative of moves on the Cyprus issue and thus there was no need for the US to develop a leading role.

RAND analyst Ian Lesser spoke chiefly on Turkey and the economic problems it faced, saying that an improvement in the country's domestic situation would be to the benefit of Greece and Cyprus as well.

He noted that many Turkish businessmen desired a solution to the Cyprus issue, perceiving that it was a problem for Turkey, but warned that in the event of a collapse of the Turkish economy the nationalistic circles, which opposed any compromise on the Cyprus problem, would be reinforced.

Lesser said the economic crisis in Turkey was in fact a political one, as Turkey was at a critical crossroads where it was faced with the prospect of reforms on the one hand and the specter of chaos on the other.

He called Cyprus' EU accession course the main element in the Cyprus issue today, adding that the US should continue to back a bizonal, bi-communal federation in Cyprus and at the same time put emphasis on Turkey's European perspective and boost the strategic role of Athens and Ankara in central Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans.

Western Policy Center director John Sitilides spoke of the difficult 15-year period in Greek-US relations following the 1974 collapse of the military dictatorship in Greece and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

He said that after a gradual re-determination of its national interests, Greece had, in the past decade, developed very good relations with the US.

Sitilides further referred to Greece's positive role in the Balkans, the country's economic growth and the increased attention given by the Greek government to confronting terrorism.

He also spoke on the course of the Greek-Turkish rapprochement and the need for a Cyprus solution, and stressed the need for continued US involvement in the efforts for a Cyprus solution but also US encouragement of Turkey's accession to the EU and promotion of a dialogue with the Greek and Turkish armed forces aiming at a reduction of their arms stockpiles.

Most of the subcommittee members expressed support for a bizonal, federal solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, while sub-committee chairman Elton Gallegly (R-CA) called the present status quo on the island "unacceptable".

He also spoke of the strategic importance of the region and praised Greece's role in the Balkans and the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.

[06] FM responds to tabled question over remarks on Turkey's 'White Cells'

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

In a written statement, Papandreou said certain local newspapers misquoted him, as his statement over "a correct direction" by Turkey referred to a change in that country's Article 16 of its anti-terrorism law.

"Whoever calls me to task for a lack of sensitivity regarding human rights should know that until today we've remained only on a level of condemnations, while now we have a reliable framework for monitoring Turkish policy; the entire gamut of political and economic reforms that the Turkish government must implement, if of course, it wants to approach the EU," he said.

He was replying to a tabled question by Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy Panayiotis Lafazanis.

[07] Parliament committee opts for allowing 39 radio stations in Attica

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

Deputy Transport Minister Alekos Voulgaris, meanwhile, pledged that a map of radio frequencies for Attica will have been completed by the end of June and talked about building radio transmitter "parks" with funding from the 3rd Community Support Framework.

By dividing the transmitters between the two mountains, the solution adopted by the committee allows the issue of 39 licenses for private radio stations, in addition to the 13 frequencies occupied by state-run ERA radio. The expert scientists said that it also takes into account the safety of airline traffic at the new Athens airport in Spata and public health considerations.

Alternative proposals, where transmitters were confined to either one mountain or the other, would have allowed on 37 or 35 private radio stations to operate in Attica.

The solution chosen was approved by a representative of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) - with the proviso that two emergency frequencies be 'kept clear' and free of static.

The vice-president of the Union of Private Radio Stations (EIRA), Constantine Kibouropoulos, said the union was unanimously in favor of confining transmitters to Mount Hymettus, which would allow only 35 radio stations.

Voulgaris said the communications ministry accepted the proposal for 39 stations, while noting the need to map radio frequencies for the entire country.

He said an environmental impact study had already been ordered by the ministry, which would soon be asking for offers for a technical consultant and a study on constructing transmitter parks in Attica.

The media ministry, represented by its general secretary Nikos Athanassakis, said it would not become involved in the issue of how many radio stations should operate but would simply put the frequencies up for tender. He said that a previous decision allowing only 28 radio stations in Attica had been based on an expert report submitted at that time.

[08] U.S. and Greek militaries in biggest ever exercise on Skyros

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The exercise, bringing together naval and marine forces from Greece and the United States, lasts from June 5-15 and involves over 3,300 personnel from both countries, a U.S. Embassy press release said on Thursday.

"This is the largest and most ambitious 'Alexander the Great' exercise since the Greek and American armed forces began conducting them in 1993," said U.S. Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns. "The size and scope of this joint training exercise demonstrate how closely we work in the defense area," he added.

"On June 14th, U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and American sailors from the USS Kearsarge and USS Carter Hall joined their Greek hosts for a non-live fire amphibious assault. The Greek participants in the 'charge' were the 505th Battalion of the 32nd Hellenic Marine Forces Brigade," the press release said.

"Naval forces also conducted training to improve their ability to operate a multinational fleet. The Kearsarge is leading a joint fleet of amphibious and combatant ships in ten days of at-sea training, with a focus on navigation. Meanwhile the USS Thorn and the HS Salamis conducted live naval gunfire training on the uninhabited islet of Karavia," it added.

[09] Greek agencies request prosecution against NATO officials for Yugoslavia bombings

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

This was announced at a press conference on Thursday by the presidents of the three agencies. They are Antonis Roupakiotis, President of the Athens Bar Association, Costas Menoudakos, President of the Society of Greek Judicial Functionaries for Democracy and Freedoms and a Council of State councilor and Aliki Yiotopoulou-Marangopoulou, President of the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights.

They said that two definite offences perpetrated concern the violation of war laws regarding the use of toxic or other weapons and serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions concerning willful homicide and the willful causing of great pain or serious bodily harm. They are also requesting a probe into whether the offence of genocide has been perpetrated.

They further said that when the orders for bombings were issued the toxicity of uranium and its disastrous effects on the health of the population of Yugoslavia, regardless of whether people were non-combatants or not, were known to senior officials in the United States and the United Kingdom.

[10] President receives new ambassadors' credentials

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis and the Presidency of the Republic's Secretary General Costas Ailianos.

[11] French ambassador addresses event in Larissa

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

He underlined that both Greece and France share the highest rates of economic growth in the European Union, noting France's active support for Greece's entry to the EU and the European Monetary Union (EMU).

[12] Greece to utilize EU 2000-2006 funding to raise living standards of citizens

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

Speaking during a press conference in Komotini, northeastern Greece, Pachtas said that the success of projects during the 2000-2006 period, funded the third community support framework fund, would determine whether "the country will be on a secure ground to negotiate a fourth framework support fund."

The deputy minister focused on actions regarding projects in northern Greece, which will be funded by the third community support framework fund to the tune of 400 billion drachmas.

[13] Farmers threaten 'hot winter' if tobacco, cotton subsidies abolished

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The GESASE presidium, during a press conference in Thessaloniki, warned that there would be strong reactions if the subsidies were abolished.

"The farmers' income will be substantially reduced if the appropriate EU committee passes the new regulations for abolishing the subsidies and limiting the cultivations," GESASE president George Goniotakis said.

He said this policy was part of an EU effort to reduce the deficit in the 15-nation bloc's budget created by the contaminated meats

"It appears that the Greek farmers will have to pay the price of the contaminated means and the EU's expansion towards other, former East-bloc countries," he said.

Goniotakis said the gradual abolition of reinforcements in tobacco farming would be a big blow to Greek farmers, as tobacco farming was the sole source of income for 70,000 families in Greece and comprised part of the income of another 250,000 people. The presidium members aid GESASE had already sent protest letters to Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the Greek political parties, calling for the formation of a "national strategy on agriculture in the battle with the EU agencies".

[14] Expenditures for pensions in Greece amount to 12.5 percent of

GDP BRUSSELS, 15/06/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The EU's average amounts to 12.6 percent.

Between 1990 and 1998, expenditures for pensions increased by 0.4 percent in Greece, from 12.1 percent of GDP in 1990 to 12.5 percent in 1998. In EU member-states they increased by 0.9 percent, from 11.7 percent of GDP to 12.6 percent.

According to Eurostat, pensions represent about half of the total of social benefits (47 percent) in the EU. In Greece, 53 percent of social benefits are destined for pensions. The highest percentage in the EU is to be found in Italy with 61 percent and the lowest in Ireland with 27 percent.

[15] Gov't to remain steadfast on decisions for passenger shipping, minister says

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The government "does not accept blackmail or threats from the ship owners of passenger shipping, who insist in not understanding that we are in a new era, which demands balance between healthy competition and the safeguarding of public interest," Papoutsis said.

He also said that ship owners should not forget that they are not conducting business in their own space as the "state gives them the right to conduct business in ports and seas that belong to the people and the state".

[16] 'Sitia' extra virgin olive oil wins international award

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The competition aims at improving the position of olive oil with superior organic characteristics, as well as assisting consumers to choose with qualitative criteria.

The award was presented by the executive director of the International Council of Olive Oil Dr. Fausto Luchetti at a special ceremony at Aix-en-Provence, France, on June 13.

The competition was held in Madrid in May with numerous participants from olive oil producing countries (Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Tunisia and France).

[17] Greek exporters say unharmed by FYROM crisis so far

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

SEBE said in an announcement that Greek companies were facing difficulties in collecting debts along with a decline in demand and cancellations of orders.

SEBE said Greek exports to FYROM, following the abolition of a trade embargo in 1995, totalled 184 million Ecus in 1996, rising to 275 million Ecus next year (an increase of 40 percent), with Skopje becoming Greece's 11th trade partner on exports.

In 1998, following a crisis in Kosovo, Greek exports to FYROM fell by 14 percent, but jumped to 395 million euros next year, with Skopje becoming the fifth more significant export market for Greek companies.

Greek exports included oil products, fruits and vegetables, food, textiles, metals, engines and home appliances.

[18] Greek stocks plunge to 30-month lows

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

Cosmote (-3.97%), Panafon (-3.49%), and Hellenic Telecoms (-1.70%) suffered heavy losses.

The general index fell 1.58 percent to end at 2.853.55 points, off the day's lows of 2,835.36 points, to its lowest close since January 13, 1999.

Turnover was a low 165.74 million euros, or 56.48 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,672.02 points, off 1.25 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.36 percent to 323.63 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 897.96 points, losing 2.44 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 268.43 points, off 1.98 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 290 to 55 with another 19 issues unchanged.

CPI, Viosol, Keranis Holdings, Desmos, Halyps, Attica Publications, Dromeas, Parnassos, Athenian Holdings scored the biggest percentage gains, while ETMA, Elbisco, Technodomi, Levenderis, Aspis Insurance, Lanakam, Korasidis, Singular and Ergodata suffered the heaviest losses.

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

Equity futures finish lower: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Thursday, in line with their underlying indices. The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.25 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.36 percent lower.

Traded were 8,771 contracts on turnover of 60.2 million euros.

Bond prices finish with mixed results in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished with mixed results in heavy trade with players focusing on 5-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.54 percent from 5.52 percent a trading day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 43.8 basis points from 43.7 in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 1.01 billion euros (344 billion drachmas) from 505 million euros (172 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[19] KETHEA survey reports sharp rise in cannabis use among teenagers

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

The survey, carried out in six advisory centers run by KETHEA around the country, also showed that the number of heroin users was gradually falling while numbers of cocaine users had soared in recent years.

From the responses of 7,450 people who approached the centers for help, it was shown that the number of teenagers using cannabis had risen from 10.4 per cent five years ago to 21.5 per cent this year.

Heroin users approaching the centers, on the other hand, had fallen in number from 83 per cent five years ago to 73.7 per cent this year.

Another point stressed by KETHEA, was the fact that most heroin addicts now smoked or snorted the drug and very few still injected it, reducing the hazard of contracting AIDS or hepatitis among addicts.

Cocaine users now represent only 2.6 per cent of drug users in Greece, but if its use continues to increase at present rates, it is estimated that cocaine will overtake other substances as the main drug taken by users.

The survey also reported that six out of 10 drug users in Greece begin to take drugs between the ages of 15 and 19, while three out of 10 begin before their 15th year.

[20] Bomber who had hurled grenade at Turkish trucks arrested

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

He was identified as Dimitrios Koltsidas, 36, a carpenter from the town of Gonnoi in the Larissa prefecture whose political affiliations reportedly lie in the nationalist sector.

Koltsidas is denying the charges but is being kept in custody as a result of a previous court verdict and will be making his appeal on Monday.

He virtually betrayed himself since the two phone calls he made to a local newspaper in the early hours of June 3 to assume responsibility for the grenade attack were adequate for police to track him down.

Publications and newspaper reports, mainly concerning the grenade attack, found in his home led police to believe he acted on his own and no organization by the name of "Ironclad" exists, which Koltsidas had used in trying to convince that an organization was behind the attack.

[21] Greek community members go on trial for land register fraud on Imvros

ISTANBUL, 15/06/2001 (ANA - E. Aretaios)

Charges concern illegal real estate registrations with names, which were different than those of the real owners, while sources of the Greek general consulate in Istanbul said it is a penal law case.

This view is supported by the fact that a Greek woman whose property had apparently been taken by the defendants, the sources said, revealed the case.

The Greek general consulate and the Greek foreign ministry are watching the case and a consular official will attend the trial

[22] Gov't, hoteliers and Athens 2004 close to a deal on hotel capacity increase

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis made the statement, following a meeting held in his ministry, that included him, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Hoteliers' Union President Spyros Divanis and ATHOC representative Spyros Kapralos.

During the meeting hoteliers reassured the government that they would make available 100 per cent, instead of 80 per cent, of their hotels capacity to ATHOC for the Games if the government were to withdraw plans to allow increased construction limits in Athens for hotels that would serve the purposes of the Games.

Athens hoteliers objected 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).

Laliotis stressed that if hoteliers, the government and ATHOC agree to sign a memorandum on the issue then the government would withdraw plans to allow higher lot coverage and other incentives for new capacity construction.

The memorandum is expected to be signed on Friday.

[23] Solar energy industries protest exclusion from Olympiad projects

Athens, 15/06/2001 (ANA)

EBHE wants a revision of the decision to exclude solar energy, as a basic energy source, for the operation of the Olympic Village and of other installations, while proposing that the use of solar systems should be anticipated in all Olympiad projects. Greece currently holds one of the leading positions in the world in the utilization of solar energy. With over 800,000 Greek households being fitted with solar heaters covering a total area of 2,700,000 square meters, the country saves electric power amounting to 1,400,000 MWh a year, EBHE officials said.

They added that the utilization of solar energy in the country contributes to an effective decrease in air pollution (such as by 1,700,000 tones of carbon dioxide a year).

If solar energy was not produced at the current rate in the country, the "solar industrialists" stressed that the Public Power Corporation (DEH) would have to have additional power stations having a capacity of 1,000,000 MW, meaning about 10 percent of its established network capacity.

[24] Turkish side likely to return to talks, Clerides says

NICOSIA, 15/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The president said the Cyprus question should be handled in a very "careful and responsible" manner to avoid giving the impression that the Greek Cypriot side shares some responsibility for the lack of progress towards a solution.

In an interview with the London Greek Radio (LGR) he said the US does not appear willing to place the question of Cyprus on a higher level in their list of priorities and that Britain wishes to see a settlement in line with the parameters of UN resolutions and have its interests safeguarded.

On Greco-Turkish relations, the Cypriot President said these depend on developments in Cyprus and on Turkish demands to NATO and the EU with regard to the European Security and Defense Policy, he noted Ankara's desire to play a pivotal role in the Alliance, a role it does not wish to see being reduced.

"I believe that Turkey will prolong the stalemate and will return to talks when it realizes Cyprus is at the point of joining the EU and it will display a shift in its intransigent positions to claim a postponement of accession," the president told the London-based Greek Radio.

He said in five rounds of UN-led proximity talks Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has not managed to gain recognition of his illegal regime and it seems there is very little room left for maneuvering any more.

The Cypriot president warned against wrong moves in the peace effort, calling for cautious and careful handling to avoid giving wrong impressions.

He said Turkey has to make radical changes in its policies before it is accepted by the EU and should respect EU norms and regulations as well as principles of international law and order.

On the role of the US, he said Washington continues to consider a Cyprus solution necessary for regional stability and added "it would be wrong to assume that the US will upgrade the Cyprus question."

Commenting on Britain's position with regard to Cyprus, he said London sees an independent sovereign Cyprus, and not two separate states on the island, as safeguarding its interests.

Invited to comment on Turkish threats for unrestraint response to the accession to the EU of a divided Cyprus, the president said these should be taken into consideration but the matter should be dealt with behind closed doors and not through public statements.

"We have to see how to face the worst case scenario but this is not a matter for public debate," Clerides cautioned.

Asked if an agreed settlement would mark the crowning of his political career, the president replied "the question of Cyprus can be solved by someone who is at the end of his political career, who has no ambitions for reelection."

The president is in London on a private visit and on Friday he flies to Goteborg, Sweden, to attend a working lunch with EU leaders together with the leaders of the other candidate countries.

[25] Cyprus foreign minister holds talks with Finnish counterpart

NICOSIA, 15/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"We had a very good and cordial meeting and the focus of our conversation was our effort to join the EU and the Union's plans for a security and defense policy," Kasoulides told CNA from the Finnish capital.

The same issues dominated his meetings with Premier Paavo Lipponen and President Tarja Halonen.

"Finland supports EU enlargement and our efforts to join the EU," Kasoulides said of the Finnish position.

According to the French News Agency, at a joint press conference Kasoulides said Cyprus is ready to resume the stalled UN peace talks and added "we hope that in 2002 we can reach a settlement."

If a settlement is not found by then, he said, the EU Helsinki decision should apply.

In Helsinki the EU said a political settlement will facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for membership.

The UN-led proximity talks were interrupted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who, backed by Ankara, withdrew from the peace process and now demands recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish- occupied part of Cyprus before he returns to the negotiating table.

Tuomioja told the press conference that Finland is "very happy with the progress Cyprus has made in the enlargement negotiations and we can say Cyprus is number one in terms of preparing for EU membership."

Cyprus has closed 22 out of 29 chapters in the accession negotiations.

Later Thursday, Kasoulides was to leave Goteborg to join the Cypriot delegation to the EU summit, under President Glafcos Clerides, who will sit at a working lunch with EU leaders and the heads of state of other candidate countries. President Clerides flies to Sweden from London on Friday.

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