Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't to 'wage war' on drugs, PM says after 5-hour cabinet meeting

[02] Athens: Milosevic issue an 'internal Yugoslav affair'; 77 Greek MPs oppose extradition

[03] EU FYROM envoy's mission is to advise and facilitate dialogue, Beglitis says

[04] Greek PM supports Cyprus in effort for viable solution to Cyprus issue

[05] Beglitis links CoE Loizidou decision to Turkey's EU accession course

[06] EU reportedly warns of Istanbul event boycott if Cypriot minister's participation blocked

[07] EU Commissioner says Cyprus solution achievable by end 2002

[08] Turkish 'hawks' criticize Turkish FM over policy of friendship with Greece

[09] FM and finance minister discuss Balkan reconstruction plan

[10] SYN leader accuses PM of 'fuelling crisis' in government

[11] No Chams issue, Beglitis reiterates

[12] Bill establishing profession soldiers corps approved

[13] Coalition party says anti-terrorism law articles dangerous for individual rights

[14] Foreign ministry's int'l cooperation chairman elected to head Stability Pact post

[15] Greek businesses agree euro transition price stability measures

[16] Eurostat says Greece has the highest employment rate in agriculture in

[17] Ship owners call for national maritime policy to boost sector

[18] Greece undertakes the rotating presidency of the R & D EUREKA Initiative

[19] Greek stocks end Thursday's session flat

[20] Radio, TV council to license 27 stations in Thessaloniki and 8 more in Athens

[21] Church reacts to court ruling on exclusion of religion from ID cards

[22] Theatrical dedication to philosopher Socrates in Athens on September 5-6

[23] National Theatre's 'Clouds' production to premiere in Ephesus

[24] IOC's Pound says Athens 2004 preparations 'on good road'

[25] Culture minister places emphasis on 'pure games' for 2004 Olympiad

[26] Gov't responds to Cem's threats

[27] Number of illegal Turkish settlers far outweighs number of Turkish Cypriots

[01] Gov't to 'wage war' on drugs, PM says after 5-hour cabinet meeting

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Drug users are patients in the view of the government, Simitis said, and we must help them, while at the same time reinforcing the systems for their return to society.

He said that the government would try to unify and support existing legal and other systems for dealing with substance abuse, and introduce measurable and specific indices for the prevention, treatment and social rehabilitation of drug users.

"We are aware," Simitis said, "that despite the continuous measures, the spread of drug use in our country is following a similar course to that in other European countries." For this reason, he added, yet more measures were needed to combat what he described as a "many-faceted" problem that had "visible and unseen sides".

The first goal, he stressed, would be improved coordination and more effective organization. The next step would be to support new activities in a new framework.

For this reason, Simitis said, the government had decided to introduce harsher penalties for drug dealers while simultaneously increasing the number of methadone clinics, treatment centers and counseling services for addicts, so that social conditions for curbing the phenomenon were more favorable.

In addition to the above, the prime minister said that Greece would try to limit the cultivation and trade of drugs in the Balkans and surrounding regions through initiatives on an EU and international level, linking this to the government's will to hold 'clean' Olympics in 2004.

He warned, however, that the government's role might be primary but was not exclusive and that society needed to mobilize as well.

Through its actions, he concluded, the government hoped to create the best possible conditions for dealing with the problem of drug abuse but also to enlist the help of all the citizens in this cause.

"The fight against drugs," he said, "is a priority, obligation and responsibility of the government - but also of all the citizens."

EU calls on Greece to implement national action plan against drugs: Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, referring to decisions taken by the cabinet on drugs and alcohol, said on Thursday that the prime minister himself will head the relevant action plan, as well as many jointly responsible ministries.

The European Union is calling on Greece to implement a national action plan against drugs in 2001.

Papadopoulos said the plan initially intervenes at an institutional level. Consequently, the Organization against Drugs will be reorganized with the purpose of gradually abolishing the Interministerial Committee by the end of 2002.

He went on to say that the ministries participating in the action plan should create departments or offices whose exclusive responsibility will be the effort against drugs.

Parents association attacks talks for legalizing drugs: The Association of Parents and Legal Guardians of Greece stood against the legalizing of certain drugs, during a press conference on Thursday, in response to recent public dialogue on ways to confront drug addiction and trafficking in Greece.

During this dialogue the legalizing of the so-called "soft drugs" such as marijuana caused sensation and reaction both positive and negative.

"The state protects the narcotics traffickers, while it abandons children to the mercy of the narcotics rings ... the positions of some Parliament deputies on drugs are wrong, they are to the detriment of youths and they are restating the same positions instead of reexamining them, all the while urging society and their colleagues to agree to legalize soft drugs," the presidium of the association said.

The association also urged for the reinstitution of the death penalty for narcotics trafficking ring leaders, as well as anyone caught smuggling narcotics in detox clinics.

[02] Athens: Milosevic issue an 'internal Yugoslav affair'; 77 Greek MPs oppose extradition

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed, during a press briefing here, that the issue affects "the political forces in Yugoslavia and the democratically elected government of that country, which is handing (the matter) responsibly and realistically".

Meanwhile, 77 deputies from Greece's 300-member unicameral Parliament on Thursday signed a resolution requesting that Milosevic not be turned over.

The resolution was signed by MPs from all four parties that are participating in the current summer legislative session, before being sent to the Yugoslav embassy in Athens, Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica as well as other top leaders in the country.

Earlier, Yugoslavia's constitutional court temporarily suspended an extradition decree that would have allowed the extradition of Milosevic to the UN war crimes tribunal.

KKE and Coalition of the Left: The Serbian government's decision to extradite former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to the international court at The Hague on Thursday drew strong criticism from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos).

An announcement by KKE spoke of a "gangster like way" of delivery and called for the condemnation of both this act and The Hague court and on the Greek people to react en masse.

In a similar statement, a spokesman for the Coalition of the Left and Progress said that "through pressures and extortions, those responsible for the bombings, the destruction and the destabilization of the Balkans bought off the delivery of Milosevic to the penal court at The Hague for a fistful of dollars."

[03] EU FYROM envoy's mission is to advise and facilitate dialogue, Beglitis says

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Beglitis explained during a regular press briefing that the efforts of the EU's new peace envoy would concentrate on contributing to a speedy achievement of a political agreement to end the hostilities in FYROM.

The EU wished to press the sides concerned to sit down together at the "political dialogue table", and that was the focus of the efforts of the 15-nation bloc and Leotard's mission, as agreed during the recent EU summit in Gothenburg, Beglitis said.

Replying to persistent questions on Leotard's mission, Beglitis did not rule out the prospect that in the course of materialization of a cease-fire, namely in the process of disarmament, some kind of "cooperation" with armed extremist groups would be required.

However, he added, such an eventuality would exclusively concern the issue of disarmament "and nothing else".

The dialogue, he explained, involved "only the democratically elected representatives of the political forces in FYROM".

[04] Greek PM supports Cyprus in effort for viable solution to Cyprus issue

NICOSIA, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

In a letter of reply to former Cyprus President and former House of Representatives Speaker Spyros Kyprianou, Simitis says "we have set this effort as our priority together with the success of accession negotiations, at the end of which the Republic of Cyprus will become, soon, a full and equal member of the European Union."

Simitis also refers to Kyprianou's political career and says "during this career, which promoted you to the highest offices of the Republic of Cyprus, you served democracy and national targets with dedication."

"The Greek people, and the Greek government as well, are aware of and honor this prolonged contribution of yours," he added.

[05] Beglitis links CoE Loizidou decision to Turkey's EU accession course

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Turkey's course toward the EU, he added, was linked to and determined by its obligations arising from the EU-Turkey partnership agreement.

Through the policy followed after the EU Helsinki summit, Beglitis said, Turkey was obliged to respect EU institutions and procedures, since these determined its EU accession course.

In a decision on Tuesday, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) had called on its member states to take all necessary measures to ensure that Turkey complies with a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judgment of human rights violations in Cyprus in the Titina Loizidou case.

On Wednesday, CoE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said that the ECHR judgment was not political but legal and there was no way a CoE member-state could avoid execution of the judgments of the Court.

Speaking at a press conference, Schwimmer said the execution of the judgment should not wait for a settlement of the Cyprus question and described a third interim resolution on the case adopted by the Committee of Ministers, as "a step to put pressure on a member country to comply with the judgment."

The ECHR ruled in December 1996 that Turkey is guilty of continuous violation of the human rights of Loizidou to peacefully enjoy her property in Turkish occupied Cyprus and ordered Ankara to pay compensation and allow Loizidou access to her property.

The Court also said Loizidou must be regarded as the legal owner of the said property and held Turkey responsible for human rights violations in the areas of Cyprus it occupied since its troops invaded in 1974.

[06] EU reportedly warns of Istanbul event boycott if Cypriot minister's participation blocked

ISTANBUL, 29/06/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

According to EU sources, Commissioner Guenter Verheugen - who holds the all-important enlargement portfolio -- warned the summit's Turkish hosts that the 15-nation bloc's officials would boycott sessions if Cypriot Minister Costas Themistocleous was prevented from participating or discouraged in any way.

Themistocleous, the agriculture, environment and natural resources minister on the island republic, as well as the rest of the Cypriot delegation received special visas for travel to Turkey at Ankara's embassy in Athens - the same procedure previously employed by Cypriot dignitaries when officially visiting Turkey. While in Istanbul, the Cypriot minister was also received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

The development comes one day after Ankara threatened to "retaliate" against EU member-states if Cyprus is allowed to join the Union.

In addressing a joint EU-Turkish association council this week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said Cyprus' "unilateral accession will lead to an unavoidable conflict and radical reaction by Turkey, while it will have negative effects on the Euro-Turkish economic relations as well."

Turkish troops continue to occupy roughly one-third of the island republic's territory today.

[07] EU Commissioner says Cyprus solution achievable by end 2002

BRUSSELS, 29/06/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

"After contacts that I had this week with (Greek Foreign Minister George) Papandreou and (Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail) Cem within the context of the EU-Turkey Association Council, I am confident that a solution to the Cyprus problem is achievable within the time limits we have set for concluding accession negotiations with the first wave of EU candidate countries at the end of 2002," he said.

Asked to comment on threats voiced by Cem of "retaliatory" action by Turkey if Cyprus joined the EU before the political problem was solved, Verheugen avoided comment, saying that "it would not be wise or correct to make assumptions about probable scenarios, whose only result would be to hamper the efforts of the United Nations and the European Union to find a solution."

Our goal, he added, is for the entire island to join the EU, which is the best tool for achieving the eradication of tension and peaceful coexistence of the two communities on a lasting basis.

He went on to say that the EU's positions were clear, that the decisions of the Helsinki summit would be implemented, and that all important factors - such as the course of the Cyprus problem - would be taken into account.

The Commissioner blamed the impasse in the Cyprus proximity talks on the Turkish-Cypriot side and urged Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the talks.

There were no particular problems in Cyprus' accession negotiations, Verheugen added, saying that the prospect of their being completed by the end of 2002 was "realistic".

He said that the EU screening process for Turkey might also begin in the second half of 2001 but that any decisions made would be based on the results of the progress report presented by the European Commission in the autumn.

[08] Turkish 'hawks' criticize Turkish FM over policy of friendship with Greece

ISTANBUL, 29/06/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The Turkish "hawks" of foreign policy, and primarily those concerning the Cyprus issue, are criticizing Cem for the policy of friendship with Greece.

They believe that the picture of smooth and friendly relations prevents the highlighting of issues which Turkish foreign policy should promote and the Cyprus issue in particular.

"We are now friends with Greece and our differences are with the European Union," the newspaper said.

[09] FM and finance minister discuss Balkan reconstruction plan

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Their discussion focused primarily on the course of the reconstruction plan for Balkan countries, since Athens will begin disbursements for the funding of specific development programs as of September.

Greece attributes great importance to the International Donors Conference and has decided to contribute financially with an amount to be obtained from the budget of the National Action Plan for Balkan reconstruction. The National Action Plan includes programs amounting to 180 billion dr. for five years.

[10] SYN leader accuses PM of 'fuelling crisis' in government

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

"The only thing he achieved through his statements ... was to increase his lack of personal credibility and reinforce his image as a leader who is destabilizing his party and a prime minister whose choices are fuelling the crisis in government," Constantopoulos said.

The Coalition leader was speaking at a seminar organized by his party for the 3rd Community Support Framework, in which he also raised questions about whether the EU funds from the 3rd CSF would be properly used or squandered like previous EU packages.

The 3rd CSF is the country's "last chance" for overall democratic and progressive modernization, he noted. But if the practice used for the two previous community packages is followed, then the country's social, developmental and competitive disadvantages will be fixed and Greece will remain a poor relation in the euro-zone.

Constantopoulos was referring to statements made by Simitis on Wednesday evening, after a meeting of ruling PASOK's Executive Bureau to discuss the early ruling party congress, brought forward six months to October. The decision to bring forward the congress had been triggered by opinion poll results showing PASOK to be slipping badly against main opposition New Democracy.

When announcing the decision to move up the congress date last week, Simitis had admitted that the government could not function effectively in the current climate of uncertainty.

"There is uncertainty over PASOK's will to confront the problems of the country, on whether it can handle crises. The current political situation is detrimental to the country and needs a clear-cut solution. The country needs a strong and effective government," Simitis had said.

He blamed the situation on several factors, such as the handling of the social security issue, the different approaches within the party to economic issues and the continual questioning of the government's work by those "who oppose modernization."

[11] No Chams issue, Beglitis reiterates

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

"The Chams matter is a non-existent problem...Certain quarters which want to contribute to the destabilization of the region put forward such non-existent issues. Such matters have been dealt with by history," Beglitis told a regular press briefing.

The Chams, an Albanian-speaking group, collaborated with the fascist and Nazi occupation forces in Greece during the Second World War and after the liberation fled to neighboring Albania. Members of the group have at various times raised claims against the Greek government for property which they claim was lost during that period.

Beglitis said that demonstrations by small groups of people did not determine Greece's relations with Albania.

The Greek stance, he added, was not influenced by such chance occurrences.

Asked about the possibility of involvement of political forces in Albania in inciting such demonstrations, Beglitis said the Greek side was not aware of any indirect relation of Albanian political forces with the demonstration's organizers.

The only thing that had been requested by Greek diplomatic authorities was protection of the buildings housing the Greek diplomatic missions on Albanian territory, the foreign ministry spokesman added.

[12] Bill establishing profession soldiers corps approved

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the need for professional volunteers stems from a decrease in the number of available male conscripts every year due to Greece's long-standing low birthrate. The new framework for recruiting professional soldiers is expected to replace a previous five-year volunteer NCO program the defense ministry instituted a few years ago.

Besides ruling PASOK, main opposition New Democracy voted in favor of the bill, calling its support a "vote of tolerance", while the two smaller parties in Parliament - the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left - voted against.

Initial figures call for the hiring of 15,000 full-time professional soldiers to complement an academy-produced officers and NCO corps as well as a more than 100,000-conscript strong three-branch military. Tsohatzopoulos said the target is for 25,000 professional soldiers over the next 25 years.

In its criticism of the bill, a ND rapporteur charged that it was creating a "significant partisan party grouping" while not even increasing the armed forces' combat capabilities.

ND deputy Athinaios Florinis said the main opposition party retained the right to offer amendments in debates over individual articles.

KKE deputy Angelos Tzekis said his party considers the new professional corps nothing more than a "NATO Praetorian Guard" for the "safeguarding of a new imperialist order".

European defense structure: In an unrelated development, ND deputy Prokopis Pavlopoulos called on Tsohatzopoulos to guarantee Athens' opposition to any agreement allowing Turkey the option of intervening in the activities of any prospective "Euro-force".

In response, the Greek defense minister answered that although Ankara has pressured for exactly such a role, Greece "has the ability, even if that means its veto - which I don't believe we will need - to ensure that no alteration in the EU-Turkey relationship is attained."

[13] Coalition party says anti-terrorism law articles dangerous for individual rights

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Fotis Kouvelis was addressing a party event in Piraeus entitled "The day after the voting of the law against terrorism-Repercussions on our daily lives."

Kouvelis explained the Coalition's stance in Parliament, where the party withdrew, saying that for major issues political forces should seek a paramount way of demonstrating their opposition.

The President of the Union of Greek Criminal Attorneys Christoforos Argyropoulos said, among others, "I fear that with the voting of this law the citizens' feeling of security is not being strengthened but their feeling of insecurity."

[14] Foreign ministry's int'l cooperation chairman elected to head Stability Pact post

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

[15] Greek businesses agree euro transition price stability measures

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

After a long and exhausting dialogue with the ministry's political leadership, representatives from the industry, commerce and manufacturing sectors adopted five main axis to contribute in the smooth introduction of the euro currency in Greece from January 1, 2002.

The unions said their members were committed not to allow any price increases when converting drachmas to euros, to support and promote a common European message "new currency, stable prices", and to cooperate with development ministry's agencies in monitoring price stability in the country.

Development Minister Milena Apostolaki said "the transition to the euro is a responsibility and a challenge that needs cooperation and initiatives both from the state and the business world to be successfully complete."

"Greek consumers must feel safe and informed, certain that a new currency will not provoke price increased, but that it will lead to price stability," Apostolaki said.

[16] Eurostat says Greece has the highest employment rate in agriculture in

EU BRUSSELS, 29/06/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The report said that Greek farmers are among the most elderly, compared to their European colleagues, and work more than anybody else under a status of part-time work.

The employment rate in Greece in agriculture tops the EU's list with 17 percent and is followed by Portugal with 13 percent, while the EU's average is 4.5 percent.

Moreover, employment in the Greek agricultural sector has decreased gradually in past years, falling from 27 percent in 1987 to 17 percent in 1999. In addition, 47 percent of Greek farmers are over 55, while 92 percent of Greek farmers work on a part-time basis.

[17] Ship owners call for national maritime policy to boost sector

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

In its annual report for 2000 released on Thursday, the UGS said the policy should incorporate proposals it had made in the past on improving the competitiveness of the Greek shipping register and guidelines stated by the European Union in 1997.

In addition, the UGS backed the creation of a new climate in the mass media and the public to secure recognition for the shipping sector and its contribution to the economy.

Other demands of the UGS are a long-term strategy of attracting young people into the sector; an acceleration of reform in naval education for the merchant marine; and upgrading of the merchant marine ministry and the Harbor Corps.

Addressing the UGS' annual general meeting, its president, Yiannis Lyras, said that a balance should be restored between measures promoting safety and protection of the environment, and measures encouraging competitiveness of the whole industry.

Lyras added that 80 percent of shipping accidents were due to human error, backing the UGS' argument that naval education should be improved.

Finally, net foreign currency inflows from shipping in 2000 totalled 4,182 million euros, sharply up from 2,606 million euros in 1999. The figure for 2000 represented 38 percent of the value of total goods exported, he said.

Greek orders for new buildings in 2000 represented 14 percent of the total number of orders for ships around the world, or 21 percent in terms of tonnage. The cash involved was equivalent to two national budgets, Lyras added.

[18] Greece undertakes the rotating presidency of the R & D EUREKA Initiative

MADRID, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Greek Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis accepted the presidency from Spain during a ceremony in Madrid, discussing in his address the plans of the Greek presidency to enlarge the initiative with the inclusion of Balkan and Mediterranean countries.

EUREKA was established in 1985 with 17 founding members, that included all European Community members and today it counts 29 countries in its membership roster, with the European Union being on of its permanent members.

[19] Greek stocks end Thursday's session flat

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said a wave of profit taking in blue chip stocks, mainly banks, during the last minutes of trade evaporated earlier gains in the market.

Alpha Bank ended 2.09 percent lower, after gaining as much as 1.5 percent early in the session. Shares in the food & beverage sector scored the biggest gains, with Coca Cola HBC leading the way with an advance of 4.63 percent.

The general index ended 0.01 percent lower at 2,697.81 points, off the day's highs of 2,728.48 points, with turnover an improved 191.733 million euros, or 65.33 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,553.78 points, off 0.03 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.50 percent to 302.15 points, and the Small Cap index ended at 847.64 points, down 0.81 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 255.99 points, off 0.33 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 199 to 129 with another 33 issues unchanged.

Equity futures drop in edgy trade: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange dipped on Thursday in volatile trade.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.03 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.50 percent lower.

Traded were 10,149 contracts on turnover of 67.4 million euros.

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

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.48 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.4 billion euros (489.0 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[20] Radio, TV council to license 27 stations in Thessaloniki and 8 more in Athens

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

According to reports there are 66 applications in Thessaloniki seeking one of 27 frequency slots, while in Athens the council will grant eight radio station licenses in Athens in addition to the 20 licenses that were granted in March.

Meanwhile, ESR announced that it levied fines to four television stations and to a morning talk radio show.

Specifically, ESR levied a fine of 40 million drachmas on Alpha satellite television station, 10 million drachmas on MEGA television, 25 million drachmas on Antena and 30 million drachmas on STAR, for violating regulations of advertising spot time limits.

In addition ESR, for the first time, levied a fine of 4 million drachmas on a morning talk show for violating advertising regulations as the talk show host advertised products and shops on air during the show and not during the regular advertising slots.

[21] Church reacts to court ruling on exclusion of religion from ID cards

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

The Council of State upheld the exclusion of religious affiliation from new IDs -- which effectively rules out the optional listing as well -- ruling that citizens' religious preferences definitely fall under the heading of personal and sensitive information.

"Since the decision was taken by an vast majority of the court, the only comment that may be uttered - at this time - is that those seating in judgment will be judged as well, as far as the decisions are concerned, those (decisions) come and go as legislative acts of the CoE's past have shown," Church spokesman Metropolitan of Sparta Efstathios said.

"As you very well know, the Church of Greece, respectful of the institution of the Council of State, did not seek recourse to it. Greek citizens appealed to the court on their own volition," Efstathios said.

"The signatures (collected by the Church to force a referendum) with their impressive number, maintain their moral and democratic weight. The struggle of the Church will continue, in full respect of the discernable roles of institutions and powers," he said.

"This is a matter for those in power that pull the strings of this case, they are called upon in the most direct way either to conduct a referendum - respecting the article of the Constitution on the sovereign rights of the people - or to table a new bill in the Parliament of the Greeks. The laws in the Hellenic Republic as judged by but they are not abolished by decision of the judiciary or the decisions of any other appointed authority," he stressed.

In March, the government-appointed Personal Data Protection Authority clarified, in a press release signed by its chairman, that it had advised against listing religious affiliations on new IDs.

New ID cards, issued at police precincts, have been available for the past nine months, sans the citizenship listing.

In terms of the religious affiliation listing, the powerful Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece has collected signatures in nation-wide drive in order to force a referendum on the issue of allowing for the optional listing on ID cards.

[22] Theatrical dedication to philosopher Socrates in Athens on September 5-6

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

The event is titled "Socrates' apology in the dawn of civilization" and is based on a text by Bernd Kammermeier and Michael Pfrommer, inspired by Socrates' apology, while the harpist Andreas Vollenweider will compose a new music work specifically for the performance.

The event is part of celebrations by the Delphi European Cultural Center on the occasion of the 2400th anniversary of Socrates' death which proclaimed 2001 "Socrates' Year" and which is under the auspices of the President of the Republic.

[23] National Theatre's 'Clouds' production to premiere in Ephesus

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

The play will begin performances in Greece at the ancient theatre at Epidauros on July 13-14 and then tour around the country, including performances at the ancient stadium in Delphi on July 21, the ancient theatre of Dion in Katerini on August 18 and the ancient Odeon in Patras on September 5.

Other scheduled performance dates are in Ioannina on July 18, at the Melina Mercouri Rock Theatre on Hymettus on July 25, the Pythagoreion theatre on Samos on August 12, Larissa on August 21, Agios Achilleos in Prespes on August 24, Thessaloniki on August 27 and at the Anoixi community theatre 'Hesiod' on September 8.

[24] IOC's Pound says Athens 2004 preparations 'on good road'

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Pound praised what he called "change" in the course of preparations, saying the Games "were on a good road".

The comments were a welcome development for the Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC), as Pound had previously criticized Greek organizers for delays in preparations covering several sectors.

[25] Culture minister places emphasis on 'pure games' for 2004 Olympiad

Athens, 29/06/2001 (ANA)

Venizelos made the statement in reply to questions by reporters who called for clarifications on a statement by the prime minister on Thursday ("Greece's pursuit of pure Olympic Games").

"The Olympics preparation and particularly the programs of Olympic training, volunteerism and communication give us the rare opportunity to promote this element and this model of life," Venizelos said.

"At the next Interministerial Committee meeting and following consultations with the Organizing Committee, I shall have the opportunity of recommending in more detail the framework in which this great campaign should move and in which the sports family, the people of culture and communication and citizens' organizations should mobilize themselves, as well as anyone who can contribute," Venizelos added.

[26] Gov't responds to Cem's threats

NICOSIA, 29/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou on Thursday expressed regret that Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem insists on his long-standing views that Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to a political settlement would lead to inevitable conflict and create serious problems for Brussels, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

"I regret that Cem insists on such practices which are contrary to the EU and the international community," the spokesman said, pointing out that it is inconceivable for anyone in the 21st century "to attempt to promote through threats his positions in the world arena."

Papapetrou said that what is important is not what Cem says but what he is told by the Europeans and added "I hope he takes stock of what he hears and takes it seriously into consideration."

"So far Cem has not displayed any sign that he would go along with the wishes of the international community but the message that the EU will persist is getting through to him," Papapetrou said.

The EU has decided that a solution in Cyprus would facilitate the country's accession but it is not a precondition for EU membership.

It also called on Turkey to contribute towards the UN-led efforts to find a negotiated settlement.

Last year, the Turkish Cypriot leader, backed by Ankara, abandoned the negotiating table declaring the UN peace talks dead and a waste of time. It now demands recognition of the self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before any resumption of talks.

[27] Number of illegal Turkish settlers far outweighs number of Turkish Cypriots

NICOSIA, 29/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman was commenting on a draft report by Finnish deputy Jaakko Laakso, rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the demographic situation in the occupied areas, which said that there are some 120,000 Turkish settlers and about 85,000 Turkish Cypriots and that around 55.000 Turkish Cypriots have already left the island.

"The government has indisputable and corroborated evidence that the number of Turkish settlers is far higher than the number of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic's northern occupied areas," Papapetrou said, invited to comment on the Laakso report.

This, he pointed out, "shows the real intentions of Turkish designs on Cyprus."

Laakso's report comes nearly a decade after Spanish deputy Alfons Cuco issued his report on the demographic structure of Cyprus in which he established that the influx of Turkish settlers since the 1974 Turkish invasion is changing the demographic character of the country.

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