Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-26

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM stresses concern over conditions in FYROM to EU general affairs council

[02] Greek ruling PASOK secretary visits with Israeli officials on Monday

[03] Chinese government 'fully understands' reasons for cancellation of Simitis visit

[04] Athens comments on Albanian election

[05] Sao Tome prime minister discusses his country's problems and prospects with deputy FM

[06] Vast majority of Turkish press welcomes Greek, Turkish foreign ministers' meetings

[07] Executive Bureau to discuss PASOK conference in October

[08] Papantoniou supports decision to hold earlier PASOK congress

[09] ND leader supports Russia's idea of regional conference on Balkans

[10] Souflias says Avramopoulos' return to ND is 'not inconceivable'

[11] Constantopoulos asks President to call meeting of party leaders

[12] Greek Church postpones presentation of signature total

[13] Study presented on utilization of former Ellinikon airport

[14] Greeks feel they're not fully informed on euro

[15] EU's EQUAL program unveiled in Hania

[16] OTE focuses on mobile phone expansion at home and abroad

[17] Merchant marine minister, U.S. ambassador discuss cooperation in merchant shipping

[18] Greek investment fund firms' asset value falls

[19] Greek companies raised 5.2 trillion drachmas in ASE in 1999-2000

[20] Athens bourse chief calls for calm by investors, politicians

[21] Greek stocks plunge to 33-month lows

[22] Cyprus government to examine Turkish Cypriot leader claims on missing persons

[01] Greek FM stresses concern over conditions in FYROM to EU general affairs council

LUXEMBOURG, 26/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Papandreou said the picture conveyed to the "15" by EU High Commissioner Javier Solana, on his return from FYROM, was that the situation in the region is critical and the government of FYROM should implement a cease-fire without fail.

The foreign minister said the cease-fire achieved at Aracinovo is a positive development to avoid fresh hostilities. He added that the EU, and Solana in particular, should play a more active role in FYROM and further noted that it is extremely important that the EU decided to send one-time French defense minister Francois Leotard to FYROM as Solana's representative.

Papandreou said that due to the continuation of hostilities in FYROM, the EU is not prepared to proceed with the implementation of the Stability and Association Pact with FYROM. The agreement has been ratified by the EU's Council, but has not been ratified by many member-states, including Greece.

He underlined the need for all international factors to be activated, primarily Russia, to enable a peaceful exit to the crisis in FYROM. He further expressed satisfaction over the fact the EU, in its announcement on FYROM on Monday, reiterated its steadfast view that there can be no change in FYROM's present borders.

Referring to developments in Serbia and the upcoming Donors' Conference on this country in particular, Papandreou said Greece favors a positive message being sent to Serbia by the "15."

"The Serbian government has already undertaken many positive initiatives and the international community should recognize this reality," he said and stressed the great importance of the presidential decree issued in Serbia concerning the country's cooperation with the international court at The Hague.

Papandreou once again raised the issue of entry permits for Turkish tourists wishing to visit Greek islands, as part of a one-day cruise, at the European Union's General Affairs Council on Monday.

Speaking to Greek reporters, Papandreou said that from a political point of view all the EU member-states stressed the positive character of the Greek initiative.

However, he said there are certain "legal difficulties" since the Schengen Treaty does not anticipate similar exceptions to that requested by Greece.

Papandreou appeared optimistic that whatever problems exist will be overcome in coming weeks and Turkish tourists will be able to make one-day cruises of the Greek islands.

According to reports, the solution to be found will anticipate, among others, the issuing of a visa of a brief duration, which Turkish citizens will obtain on the ships taking them from Turkey to Greece.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers here among issues discussed recent demonstrations, which rocked Goteborg and Nice, in the past, during EU summits, on Monday.

Speaking during the meeting, Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi stressed the need for confronting extremist elements, but added that the EU should also see the problem's political dimensions.

Papazoi said the issue should not be handled from its "police aspect" alone but on the basis of all necessary political parameters as well.

[02] Greek ruling PASOK secretary visits with Israeli officials on Monday

JERUSALEM, 26/06/2001 (ANA - A. Makridis)

Skandalidis discussed the issue of the deteriorating climate in the region with members of the Israeli Labor party, the members of the Israeli-Greek friendship parliamentary committee and Israel's Foreign Minister Simon Peres.

According to sources, Peres expressed to Skandalidis his assessment of the seeming impasse of conditions regarding the peace process, an assessment Skandalidis will discuss with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, during their scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

During his statements to the press, Skandalidis said that he is visiting Israel as "a goodwill ambassador," stressing that "Greece hopes to and in its own small way so as for peace to be established in the region as soon as possible" taking advantage of the traditionally good relations it has with the Palestinians, as well as the good relations it has formulated over the last few years with Israel.

[03] Chinese government 'fully understands' reasons for cancellation of Simitis visit

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Simitis was due to depart this past Sunday for a 10-day official visit to China, but cancelled the visit after a ruling PASOK executive bureau decision last week to move the party Congress forward to October.

Another official visit to China was cancelled in September 1999 due to a devastating earthquake that hit the greater Athens area.

"The Chinese government fully understands the reasons why the prime minister's official visit did not take place," Reppas said in reply to press questions, adding that Simitis was "welcome" in China, "with which relations will be rekindled since we renewed our interest in that great country, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council".

[04] Athens comments on Albanian election

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

"Elections for a country are a measure of how mature that country is," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said during his regular press briefing in Athens.

He added that the Greek government hopes that whatever irregularities international observers have recorded will not affect the final electoral result.

Wire services reported a dramatic improvement in election procedures and polling stations security throughout the small Balkan country to Greece's northwest, a far cry from the situation four years ago when Albania held general elections shortly after the collapse of several 'pyramid-style' investment schemes led to a violent uprising.

Athens is also closely monitoring the election as a large ethnic Greek population hails from southern Albania, with many expatriates having returned to their native lands in the neighboring state from jobs in Greece to vote.

[05] Sao Tome prime minister discusses his country's problems and prospects with deputy FM

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Possibilities of cooperation were also discussed both at bilateral level and in the framework of the European Union's development policy towards African countries.

[06] Vast majority of Turkish press welcomes Greek, Turkish foreign ministers' meetings

ISTANBUL, 26/06/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Milliyet daily cried "Mother peace protect the Aegean", while Hurriyet's and Sabah's front page hosted the new "Red telephone line" connecting the offices of the two ministers and Cumhurriyet wrote of "A period of cooperation" beginning between the two countries.

Zaman daily, a newspaper with Islamic leanings, was more guarded in the way it presented the meetings and their importance.

[07] Executive Bureau to discuss PASOK conference in October

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

He said the war against drugs would also be discussed by a meeting of the full cabinet on Thursday.

Regarding the PASOK party conference brought forward to October, Reppas said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis would act within the framework of the Executive Bureau's decisions.

He said the conference would be a "creative synthesis of views" and would help in the smooth running of the government, while he ruled out the prospects of a cabinet reshuffle or early elections.

The spokesman said that despite the views expressed by small groups of party cadres, there were many signs that the Executive Bureau's decision was right.

The prime minister had noted these doubts within the party and was taking various measures to deal with them, Reppas added, one of which was to bring forward the party conference, whose decisions would be binding for all.

ND's Evert slams decision to move PASOK congress forward: Opposition politician and former ND leader Miltiades Evert strong criticized the government's decision to bring the PASOK's congress forward by six months on Monday, accusing Prime Minister Costas Simitis of "sacrificing the interests of the people in order to prevail within his party."

Evert said the announcement of the earlier congress, to be followed immediately afterward by a government reshuffle, "created a climate of uncertainty and had grave consequences for the economy," while he attributed the ongoing slide of the Athens bourse to the "threat of the Congress."

[08] Papantoniou supports decision to hold earlier PASOK congress

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

In statement to 'Flash' radio station, Papantoniou hinted that not everyone within PASOK supported the policies that he and Prime Minister Costas Simitis were promoting, which he said were fiscal discipline, market deregulation, major structural changes and effective social policy.

The push to implement this policy, he continued, was being undermined by leaks to the press, statements and media appearances that made people doubt if the government and if the economy were moving in the right direction.

"We can't carry out policies in three years in these conditions," the minister said, "we have to clear up what policy we are implementing."

He expressed confidence that the prime minister's positions would prevail at the congress in October, saying that the beliefs that now prevailed in Europe were gaining ground within the party, also.

"From the other side," he added, "we hear various references to another policy, a fairer policy, but nothing specific. We must therefore clear up where PASOK wants to go," he said.

Finally, he said the government's planned projects would not be delayed until the PASOK congress in October.

[09] ND leader supports Russia's idea of regional conference on Balkans

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

"It is a very positive statement for us," he said, adding that it is necessary for Russia to play an important role in this area and take an active role in resolving problems in the western Balkans, which will make cooperation more dynamic.

Karamanlis also stressed the need for close cooperation relations to be developed between Russia and the European Union in all sectors.

"We believe that the European Union and Russia should develop cooperation in all sectors. We always believe that it is necessary for Russia and the EU to coordinate their actions on issues concerning foreign policy and security policy," he said.

Balkans, Greek-US relations discussed at Karamanlis-Burns meeting: The situation in the Balkans and the entire spectrum of Greek-US relations were discussed Monday during a meeting between main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis and outgoing US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns.

After the meeting, Burns said he had a "satisfactory" discussion with Karamanlis, adding that the US government had great respect for Karamanlis and ND.

According to sources, Burns asked Karamanlis and other accompanying ND officials to analyze the developments in the ruling PASOK party and last week's decision to bring forward the PASOK party Congress to October.

The sources said that ND believed that regardless of the outcome, the existing problems would not be resolved.

ND leader schedules Piraeus tour on Tuesday: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis will tour the port city of Piraeus on Tuesday, with consecutive meetings scheduled with Piraeus Prefect Mari Sorotou-Tsanaki, the harbor master, the state-controlled port authority's management and representatives of employees, as well as with the municipality's mayor, Christos Agrapidis.

[10] Souflias says Avramopoulos' return to ND is 'not inconceivable'

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Saying that current election laws did not leave room for cooperation with the Movement of Free Citizens (KEP) party founded by the mayor this year, Souflias said that he supported Avramopoulos' return to ND and did not consider it 'inconceivable'.

"It's something that depends entirely on him and the political course he chooses," Souflias said.

During the interview, Souflias also warmly supported the prospect of ND's Dora Bakoyianni standing for Athens Mayor in the next municipal elections.

Athens mayor rules out possibility of returning to ND: Athens Mayor and Free Citizens Movement (FCM) leader Dimitris Avramopoulos on Monday categorically ruled out the possibility of returning to the main opposition New Democracy party.

He was indirectly rejecting an appeal by ND cadre George Souflias to return to the party.

"The FCM is an autonomous political presence and an autonomous political movement and it is proceeding methodically and systematically with the purpose of meeting the expectations of citizens who are demanding deep incisions and a change in our political system," he said.

He further said that "what is important is not what we want but what the times and circumstances demand. Greece should have a clear picture before it as to where it is going and I believe the discussion currently taking place even for early elections might constitute a solution."

Avramopoulos said the country has entered a stage of lack of governance and a political vacuum is being created, adding that the system cannot withstand this and political initiatives should be undertaken immediately.

[11] Constantopoulos asks President to call meeting of party leaders

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

In statement after the 45-minute meeting, Constantopoulos said that Greece had entered into a period of "volatility and disorganization" and that the country faced serious problems within society and in foreign policy - as well as in governance, "which Prime Minister Costas Simitis has himself admitted," he added.

The Coalition leader said that he also wanted a discussion on the problems with Albanian extremists in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which shares a border with Greece, a reappraisal of Cyprus accession to the European Union and the creation of a European army.

According to Constantopoulos, "it is clear that internal party dilemmas are dominating over all issues, trapping political developments, foreign policy, the economy and the state."

[12] Greek Church postpones presentation of signature total

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

"... the Church of Greece, under no circumstances, desires at this time for its actions over the ID issue to be considered either unfair or to be interpreted as an intervention, directly or indirectly, in the political scene," the powerful Archbishop of Athens and All Greece said.

Christodoulos announced the move following the conclusion of a Holy Synod meeting in Athens, and only days after a crucial ruling PASOK party executive bureau meeting witnessed a decision for the party's congress to be moved up an unprecedented six months to October - a development that has made Greece's political situation dramatically more fluid going into the traditionally "off-season" summer period. The rescheduling of PASOK's congress followed a more-or-less forceful recommendation by Prime Minister and PASOK president Costas Simitis at the executive bureau meeting last Thursday.

In terms of the ID furor, the government's decision one year ago to accept an semi-independent authority's recommendation that the religious affiliation category be removed from new police-issued identification cards - practically indispensable for carrying out transactions in Greece - caused a firestorm of reaction from the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece and its outspoken leader, Christodoulos.

The dramatic souring of Church-state relations in the predominately Orthodox nation of around 11 million residents continues to this day, with the government adamantly standing by its decision as a milestone for protecting citizens' personal data - in this case, religious beliefs. Conversely, the Orthodox Church's leadership has vigorously campaigned for a referendum to allow Greek citizens the option of voluntarily listing their religious affiliation on IDs.

Christodoulos told reporters that members of the Holy Synod - the Greek Orthodox Church's highest ecclesiastical body - voted unanimously for the postponement in favor of a "more suitable moment to present the very impressive results of the referendum initiative, the outlining of our positions and further initiatives on the matter..."

"It (the Church) does not desire to become part of any political problem. It does not lend itself as an alibi, pretext or opportunity for strange games either by domestic agents or by forces overseas," the Archbishop stressed, while warning against what he called "ill-advised acts" aimed at the Church's hierarchy during the period leading up to the unveiling of the number of signatures.

Certain press reports last week claimed that a total of around three million signatures has been collected.

Holy Synod's decision on IDs a positive development, gov't spokesman says

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Monday the Holy Synod's decision on the collection of signatures for identity cards is a positive development.

The Holy Synod decided earlier to postpone announcing the exact number of people who signed special forms provided by the Church calling for a referendum on the voluntary registration of religion in new identity cards.

Reppas said what is a particularly positive fact is that the Greek Hierarchy clarifies that it is not and will not become a part or a variable of a politics.

[13] Study presented on utilization of former Ellinikon airport

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

The mayors of Alimos, Ellinikon, Argyroupolis and Glyfada said "the major problem of greater Athens is its downgraded town planning environment and considerable shortcomings in free spaces, local, supra-local and metropolitan."

Proposals contained in the study concern the shaping of an environment suitable for citizens' recreation and the creation of an expanse of greenery for the entire Attica area, combined with Olympic projects and other town planning settlements.

Among others, it anticipates the creation of multiple recreation facilities, an amusement park, children's games, two swimming pools and spaces for artistic events.

The plan further anticipates the uses of the installations of the former U.S. base for the operation of air force and technology and sciences museums, as well as the housing of a modern natural history museum.

[14] Greeks feel they're not fully informed on euro

BRUSSELS, 26/06/2001 (ANA / B. Demiris)

The Eurobarometer poll conducted in May among 6,531 inhabitants of the eurozone's twelve members said that 64 percent of Greeks felt their level of information was average or not at all good on the euro, with 33 percent saying they saw themselves as well informed, or very well informed.

Greece ranked bottom of the league, slightly below Portugal: Fifty one percent of Greeks knew the correct launch date of the euro in physical form, ranking slightly above the French, Italians and Portuguese.

Concerning the planned temporary double circulation of the euro with domestic currencies, only 7.0 percent of Greeks were aware of the phenomenon's duration, slightly higher than Germans at 4.0 percent, who ranked bottom.

Finally, 38 percent of Greeks knew the exact parity of their national currency, the drachma, to the euro, again above Germans placed last at 27 percent.

In Greece, the poll was conducted by the ICAP market research company among 500 inhabitants.

[15] EU's EQUAL program unveiled in Hania

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

The 800 billion drachma program, in which Greece's national participation amounts to 47.3 billion dr., was important as it highlighted the social policy of the government and the European Union, Giannitsis said.

He said the government, with the Equal program and its national action plan on employment, was creating the conditions for a substantial quantitative and qualitative improvement of the labor market in the coming years.

Giannitsis explained that the program had specialized targets for individuals facing adverse discrimination as it combated such discrimination.

Benefiting directly from the program are young people, women, people with special needs, employees lacking in education, returning Greeks, migrants, refugees, prison inmates and former inmates, underage offenders, gypsies, Pomacs, and former drug addicts.

According to Giannitsis, the EQUAL program supplemented the more general programs against unemployment, and specialized in the particular problems of specific social groups.

Social security issue concerns society in general, labor minister says: Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis said in Hania, Crete, on Monday a solution to the social security issue is not an issue concerning the government or PASOK alone, but one concerning Greek society in general.

Giannitsis said the social security policy was discussed by the bodies of PASOK and the government, while final proposals were not made.

"We should reach a solution. The methods are many and I am prepared to work," he said.

Criticizing the main opposition New Democracy party over its handling of the social security issue, Giannitsis said "those who criticize should come forward with proposals and take the cost just as the government does and should not forget their proposals in websites or not even have proposals at all."

[16] OTE focuses on mobile phone expansion at home and abroad

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Addressing OTE's annual general assembly, Manesis said the strategy had proved a success in Balkan countries, where the company aimed to establish itself as a key hub in the sector.

In the first quarter, the firm's mobile phone subsidiary, Cosmote, showed a 164.6 percent rise in profits; 64.4 percent increase in turnover; 87.3 percent rise in its customer base; and 22.3 percent increase in new services (ISDN, Data, Internet etc).

OTE's financial performance has received international recognition, as shown by a recent upgrade in its credit rating from Standard & Poor's at a time when major European operators were in difficulty, Manesis added.

Shareholders approved management's proposal of a dividend on 2000 profits of 240 drachmas per share.

In the first quarter, OTE's pre-tax profits rose by 25 percent to 82 billion drachmas in comparison with the same period of last year.

Revenue in the first quarter totalled 322 billion drachmas, up 15.1 percent on same-period 2000.

[17] Merchant marine minister, U.S. ambassador discuss cooperation in merchant shipping

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Other issues discussed were ways of further upgrading cooperation between the Harbor Corps and the U.S. coast guard on matters concerning crisis management, the guarding of sea borders and other operational activities.

In a statement later, Papoutsis said the U.S. is a major power at world level and has influence in international forums concerned with merchant shipping.

He added that Greece is the first power in the shipping sector at world level and at the same time a European Union country in which it wishes to exercise its own influence.

"We look forward to intensifying cooperation between the Hellenic Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard and to further our successful efforts to combat narcotics trafficking. The cooperation the United States and Greece enjoy in the counter-narcotics area serves as a model for cooperation in other areas of our relationship," Burns said, according to a U.S. embassy release.

[18] Greek investment fund firms' asset value falls

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

A report by the Union of Institutional Investors said that from a total of 17 companies in the sector, 15 were trading at a discount (ranging from 8.4 to 33.0 percent) and only two at a premium (up to 19.5 percent).

The investment index fell by 12.2 percent over the same period, compared with a 7.4 percent drop in the general index, recording a 35.2 percent fall from the start of the year.

Alpha Investments topped the list of the Greek investment fund companies, with a net asset of 154.2 billion drachmas, followed by Hellenic Investment Fund Company (118 billion drachmas) and Ergo Investments (107 billion drachmas).

[19] Greek companies raised 5.2 trillion drachmas in ASE in 1999-2000

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

In its survey, the Commission said that from a total of 310 new equity issues, 90 percent were launched in the main market and the remaining 10 percent in the parallel market for smaller capitalization stocks.

Services sector companies accounted for 55 percent of the raised capital while another 45 percent from companies in the trade and industry sectors.

With the exception of equity issuance in banks, investments and holding companies, 24 percent of the money spent was used to finance fixed investments, 44 percent in acquisitions and equity holdings, while 12 percent and 19 percent in boosting operating capital and lowering bank lending, respectively.

The survey showed that companies in the financial services sector raised 2.6 trillion drachmas in the two-year period (42.89 percent of the total), with banks totalling 1.5 trillion and investment companies another 874 billion drachmas.

Manufacturing companies raised 925 billion drachmas, or 15.14 percent, constructions 659 billion drachmas, or 10.78 percent, while companies in the leasing, IT, real estate and trade sectors raised 780 billion drachmas, or 12.77 percent.

[20] Athens bourse chief calls for calm by investors, politicians

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the annual general shareholders' meeting of the Thessaloniki Stock Exchange Center, Alexakis said that a reversal of the adverse climate at the Athens bourse needed level-headed-ness, and should be linked to economic developments.

In addition, he said he could not predict the market's performance ahead of the ruling PASOK party's congress in October, which was brought forward by several months; and he criticized media reports that helped to fuel the adverse climate, beyond a drop on world markets.

"Calm should be sought in society, by all parties, including politicians, so that the Athens Stock Exchange may show its true worth," Alexakis said.

[21] Greek stocks plunge to 33-month lows

Athens, 26/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said market sentiment was undermined further during the weekend with uncertainty over political developments surfacing in the market following political wrangling in the ruling PASOK party.

Analysts said the Greek bourse was suffering from lack of fresh positive prospects that could lead investors back into the market.

The general index is now 20.26 percent down from the start of the year and down 12.51 percent since its official upgrading into a developed market May 31.

A total of 92 stocks fell to their lowest levels this year, including Alpha Bank, Coca Cola HBC, Eurobank, National Bank, Hellenic Petroleum, ETBAbank, with ETBAbank, Alpha Bank, Euro-bank, Commercial Bank and National Bank were the biggest percentage losers among blue chips.

The general index ended 3.02 percent lower at 2,702.20 points, off the day's lows of 2,690.18, with turnover a low 139.08 million euros, or 47.39 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,560.21 points, off 3.04 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 3.98 percent to 303.82 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 844.91 points, down 4.32 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 256.10 points, off 3.31 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 335 to 12 with another nine issues unchanged.

Bond prices drop in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in moderate trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.42 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 745 million euros (254.0 billion drachmas).

Buy orders accounted for the majority of turnover.

Equity futures drop in poor sentiment: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange posted a decline on Monday on sales spurred by a wilting stock market.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 3.04 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 3.98 percent lower.

Traded were 8,643 contracts on turnover of 60.1 million euros.

[22] Cyprus government to examine Turkish Cypriot leader claims on missing persons

NICOSIA, 26/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, commenting on Denktash's remarks on the issue, appeared today somewhat surprised by the disclosure that the Turkish Cypriot leader, who has so far failed to recognize any Court rulings, has discovered international law and conventions on human rights.

Denktash told Reuters on Saturday he decided to "open cases at the Court over our missing persons, the injustice and damage they (Greek Cypriots) did to us."

"If and when Denktash files an application to the Court and this application reaches the government, we shall study it very carefully," Papapetrou told his daily press briefing. Invited to comment on Denktash's declared intentions, the spokesman said "what is interesting is that all of a sudden Denktash has discovered international law and conventions on human rights."

"If Denktash is sincere in his approach, then we can solve the issue of missing persons and the Cyprus question within 24 hours," headed. Denktash's announcement comes in the wake of a Court decision condemning Turkey for failing to conduct an effective investigation aimed at clarifying the whereabouts and fate of Greek Cypriot missing persons who disappeared in life-threatening circumstances

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article