Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM meets with new IOC president Rogge in Moscow

[02] Greece, Russia reaffirm commitment to principle of territorial integrity

[03] Greece and Kazakhstan sign bilateral cooperation agreement

[04] EU foreign ministers call for solution of Cyprus' problem, based on UN resolutions

[05] Greek envoy calls for a solid front between Greece and Cyprus

[06] Greek-American personality sends letter to US president on Imia islets

[07] Germany appeals decision of Greek court denying motion to block seizure of German properties

[08] Defense minister meets Bosnian Serb counterpart in Athens

[09] Greek gov't spokesman calls on governments to take into account citizens' concerns

[10] Gov't dismisses 'Kathimerini' claim of threat to democracy

[11] Tsohatzopoulos speaks of faulty handling by government

[12] Verelis, Papoutsis announce drive to cut through ministry 'red tape'

[13] Women's group to implement action plan in light of municipal elections

[14] BoG chief puts growth at just below 4.5%, inflation at 3% early next year

[15] National Bank of Greece governor meets with Bulgarian premier designate

[16] Unions ask gov't to scrap new share sale for Hellenic Petroleum

[17] Three companies submit bids for purchase of Skaramangas Shipyards

[18] Gov't offers permits for renewable energy plants

[19] French minister presents French gov’t proposal on common European degree

[20] Lafarge completes buyout of Heracles cement maker

[21] IFC, National Bank of Greece to finance Halkor investment

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks in freefall on lack of demand

[23] Thrace celebrates 80th anniversary with unique exhibition

[24] Memorial service for Ecumenical Patriarchate benefactor Angelopoulos

[25] SAE offers scholarships to Greek students in

[26] US Senate Committee adopts resolution on Cypriot enclaved

[01] PM meets with new IOC president Rogge in Moscow

MOSCOW, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The two men agreed that the new IOC chief would visit Athens, the host city of the 2004 Olympic Games, in September.

Congratulating the new IOC president, Simitis expressed his satisfaction at Rogge's election "not only because he is a friend of Greece but also because he is a person who can guide the Olympic Movement to new directions and give it a new breath".

"He is a man of vision and ability," Simitis said of Rogge.

Simitis, on a three-day visit to Moscow, is due to hold talks Tuesday with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is slated to visit Athens at the end of the year.

Simitis also met Monday with members of the Chinese delegation, congratulating them on Beijing's selection late last week to host the 2008 Olympics, and pledged Greece's full cooperation and assistance.

This morning, Simitis and his wife Daphne were shown around the Kremlin, while they are due to tour the Russian capital on Monday afternoon. Simitis will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who accompanied the prime minister to Moscow, met with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov for lunch.

Government congratulates Rogge on being elected IOC president: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on Monday expressed the Greek government's satisfaction at the election of Jacques Rogge as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"We convey our congratulations to Dr Rogge, who is aware of Greece's efforts to organize the Olympic Games. We believe that Dr Rogge will contribute through his new duties so that our country's preparation is what it ought to be and so that we organize the excellent Olympic Games we all want," he said.

ATHOC welcomes Rogge's election as IOC president: Jacques Rogge's election as IOC president was welcomed by 'Athens 2004' Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Monday, who said the Belgian 'immortal' was a "leading figure of the Olympic movement" and a "dear friend" but also an ally of Greece.

"Athens 2004 hails the election of Dr. Jacques Rogge as president of the IOC...[he] is an excellent choice to succeed the distinguished President Juan Antonio Samaranch," she said.

Meanwhile, at an official dinner in his honor held in Moscow, the outgoing president of the International Olympic Committee assured Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos that his departure from the IOC presidency would not affect the relation-ship between the Archaeological Museum for the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia and the Archaeological Museum of Lausanne.

In 1998, Samaranch and Venizelos had signed documents establishing ties between the two museums and also co-founding the Cultural Olympiad Institute with UNESCO's general director.

Culture minister says election of Rogge as IOC president a 'happy event': Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Monday the election of Jacques Rogge as President of the International Olympic Committee is a "happy event."

Venizelos was speaking to reporters after hour-long talks with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Svitkoi.

Venizelos said Rogge is an old friend and familiar person "who is well aware of the real level of the preparation of Athens (for the 2004 Olympiad) and can defend this level which is adequate."

He added that "unfortunately, sometimes we have inexplicable and strange comments in international media which, of course, are not due to 2004."

"Greece was willing to cooperate with any of the IOC's candidate presidents," Venizelos said and wished Rogge every success, who said he would be making his first visit in his new capacity to Athens in early September.

Talks between Venizelos and Svitkoi focused on bilateral cultural cooperation, cooperation between Russia and the European Union, as well as multipartite cooperation in the framework of cooperation between Black Sea countries.

[02] Greece, Russia reaffirm commitment to principle of territorial integrity

MOSCOW, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

He also said that both countries believe that guarantees should be provided for the territorial integrity of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as all other Balkan countries.

Papandreou spoke of a Russian proposal for "an international conference, which will reaffirm, possibly once more, but in the most absolute manner, the inviolability of borders. A proposal Greece supports in principle under the necessary preconditions". He said that they also discussed this issue in detail, as well as the Albanian issue and the "increase of criminal activities, the illegal substance trafficking and the activities of the mob, as well as all this relates many times to terrorist groups". Speaking on Russia's stance on the crisis in FYROM, Papandreou said that "what Russia has said is that it does not intent to transfer troops in FYROM," adding "I do not know if this position will change, along with changing circumstances".

"I know that they will hold, an unofficial, discussion during the G8 meeting on the Balkans as well and especially on the FYROM issue," Papandreou noted.

According to diplomatic sources, Ivanov expressed his concern over the stance of the international community regarding the Balkans and especially Yugoslavia, stressing that NATO was sending contradictory messages to the Albanians and UCK, since the period of the bombings, making matters more complex, in an already difficult situation.

The two men also discussed Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, as "Russia always supports the decisions of the United Nations regarding Cyprus," Papandreou said, adding that Cyprus' accession to the European Union was also discussed.

As for Greek-Russian relations, Papandreou called them "very good, excellent".

The Greek minister also said that he and Ivanov discussed the missile defense program of the United States, which has caused friction between Washington and Moscow.

[03] Greece and Kazakhstan sign bilateral cooperation agreement

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Stephanopoulos noted that relations between the two countries had not developed to the level that Greece would like and hailed Nazarbayev's visit as the start of a new era in these.

Nazarbayev referred to similar views between Greece and Kazakhstan on foreign policy and their shared interest in peace and stability.

A delegation accompanying Nazarbayev met with Greek officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis and Deputy National Economy Minister Ioannis Zafeiropoulos.

Talks between the two delegations were dominated by energy is-sues, especially since Kazakhstan is one of the world's largest producers of oil and natural gas.

The two sides discussed the prospects of utilizing the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline when Kazakhstan began supplying oil overland on August 6, while interest was also expressed in using the Greek fleet of tankers, which is the largest in the world, to transport oil.

The two presidents agreed to explore cooperation in these areas by setting up a special government committee.

Nazarbayev also referred to other possible areas for cooperation, especially light industry, tourism and cultural exchanges.

President Stephanopoulos says Kazakhstan an islet of stability and security: President Kostis Stephanopoulos said on Monday President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev's current visit to Athens is a milestone in relations between the two countries, adding that their talks ascertained the two countries' mutual desire to further promote their bilateral relations.

President Stephanopoulos hosted an official dinner for Nazarbayev on Monday evening and said Kazakhstan is an islet of stability and security in the wider region of central Asia.

He underlined that Greece "sincerely desires to contribute to the country's efforts to achieve necessary political and economic reforms, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the widening of its European horizons".

President Stephanopoulos said the European Union pursued the development of cooperation with the countries of central Asia.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, he expressed the hope that Turkey's EU candidacy will have further positive repercussions for the development of Greek-Turkish relations.

Outlining relations between Greece and Kazakhstan, the president said the sectors of energy and the building of oil tankers appear to be promising for cooperation.

Commenting on the building of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, Stephanopoulos said it is a dynamic project, which expresses the Greek position regarding the plurality of oil transportation corridors "always on realistic bases with regard to the serving of needs of each market and the cost of transportation."

[04] EU foreign ministers call for solution of Cyprus' problem, based on UN resolutions

BRUSSELS, 17/07/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

A paragraph on Cyprus, incorporated in the EU priorities general text on issues to be presented at the 56th UN General Assembly, says the EU "regrets that there is currently a standstill in the process and calls on the Turkish Cypriot side to resume the process as soon as possible."

Furthermore, it "reaffirms its commitment to the stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean region".

"The EU considers the status quo in Cyprus to be unacceptable and strongly supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General to achieve a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus problem, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to arrive at a positive conclusion of the process," the paragraph reads.

The council of foreign ministers that convened in Brussels on Monday prepared the text of EU priorities.

Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, who is presiding over the council as his country is holding the European Union's six-month rotating presidency, briefed his 14 counterparts on the results of his visit to Turkey and the EU's measures against the demonstrations expected in Italy during the meeting of the G8 in Genoa.

After the meeting, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi said that according to the briefing, conditions in Turkey have taken a turn for the worst since that country signed a partnership agreement with the EU in 2000.

She added that Michel voiced his disappointment from the data he collected during his meetings with the Turkish political leadership, stressing that the domestic political scene in Turkey inspired anything but optimism.

Michel also reiterated to Turkish officials the conditions set by the EU for that country's accession, including the improvement of EU-Turkish relations and the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

The ministers also discussed Turkey's insistence to fully participate in the European security and defense identity, before becoming a full EU member-state, an insistence reflected in Turkey's use of its NATO veto to block the use of the alliance's infrastructures in unilateral actions.

EU ministers stood by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine who said that "Turkey should not attempt to slow down the realization of the European defense policy ... (Turkey) should use more European means to defend its positions".

Papazoi stressed that Greece in no way accepted a compromise proposal made by Britain earlier in the year, as it was contrary to the decision taken at the Nice summit.

The council also undertook action in light of developments in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), approving a "black list plan" to block the issuing of visas to Albanian extremists, once such a decision is arrived at.

Diplomatic sources said that the delay in implementing this mea-sure was connected to the political developments in FYROM and the continuing efforts to achieve a political agreement.

[05] Greek envoy calls for a solid front between Greece and Cyprus

NICOSIA, 17/07/2001 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Panagopoulos stated that the solution of the Cyprus issue and the island republic's accession to the European Union is one of the Greek government's top priorities.

He also said that the Greek government is fully aware the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides are attempting to sway nations in the Arab Gulf to recognize the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus as a sovereign state, and efforts have be-en made to deter such an event.

Panagopoulos noted that many such attempts by the Turkish side have also been made in the past but were deterred and added that feedback the Greek government receives is most encouraging.

[06] Greek-American personality sends letter to US president on Imia islets

WASHINGTON, 17/07/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

In his two page letter Rossides also says that the US have a moral and a legal obligation to state that all relevant treaties and agreements regarding the Aegean maritime boundary between Greece and Turkey "delineate the maritime boundary between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea which is clear and long established" and that "if Turkey disagrees, she should take the matter to the ICJ (International Court of Justice) for binding arbitration".

[07] Germany appeals decision of Greek court denying motion to block seizure of German properties

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The appeal was tabled to contest the ruling, and said that such decisions involving the interests not of an individual but of a country, require the signature of the Greek minister of justice before they can be executed.

It also stressed that even in the event that the minister does not wish to be involved his stance may be checked by Greece's highest administrative court, the Council of State.

The court had ruled that the due process mandating that the Greek minister of justice approves rulings on property seizure belonging to other states does not apply any more, since the relevant articles of International Law, and specifically those of the International Pact on Individual and Political rights, prevail over Greek law.

The relatives of the victims targeted the Goethe Institute's Athens campus and the German Archaeology Society's building, which could go on the auction block, if the appeal is rejected.

The motion of the German state was the third of its kind, as in July 2000 an Athens court upheld a motion against a process of seizing German state property in Greece, concerning three prime Athens properties housing the Goethe Institut in Athens, the German Archaeological School and a German high school.

The court also ruled on Wednesday that the "organizing of simple educational, cultural and other events do not make the properties immune to seizure," as the German state argued that the buildings were used by organizations providing services to the public.

According to sources the process of auctioning the buildings will begin on September 12.

The initial process of appraisal and seizure was initiated early in July 2000, on the basis of a 1997 Livadia, central Greece lower court ruling ordering Germany to pay 9.4 billion drachmas in compensation to 296 descendants of 214 civilians murdered by German occupation forces in the village of Distomo during World War II.

Berlin, at the time, also petitioned the Athens court, which granted the injunction, to nullify an order allowing the confiscation of German state properties in Greece.

The Athens Supreme Court upheld the ruling, which allowed for the seizure and auctioning of German state property in Greece, in April 2000, stating that Greek courts had to right to accept motions submitted by Greek citizens against the German state.

[08] Defense minister meets Bosnian Serb counterpart in Athens

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Responding to questions after the meeting, Bilic said the Serb Republic of Bosnia was currently making preparations to cooperate with the International Court of Justice at The Hague, in the context of international law, for the extradition of Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, who are both accused of war crimes during the Bosnia-Herzegovina war.

He said the process in question did not concern only Karadzic and Mladic, while he pointed out that their whereabouts were not known to the Bosnian Serb defense ministry, which was in no way involved with their safety or security.

Tsohatzopoulos reiterated Greek positions against changes to borders in the Balkans and the use of force to solve problems in the Balkan region.

[09] Greek gov't spokesman calls on governments to take into account citizens' concerns

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

"We should show interest for the sensitivities, hopes and concerns of citizens regarding globalization," he said adding that decisions at the government level should take into account the concerns of citizens.

[10] Gov't dismisses 'Kathimerini' claim of threat to democracy

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Reppas was responding to questions regarding the leading article run by Sunday's 'Kathimerini' newspaper, which called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis "to take steps to ensure the failure of organized interests that wish to subject the country to adventures of a constitutional nature."

The spokesman added that Simitis would be visiting President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday for the customary briefing on domestic and foreign policy issues and that the Cabinet would be meeting on Thursday to discuss the 3rd Community Support Framework (3rd CSF).

[11] Tsohatzopoulos speaks of faulty handling by government

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the second PASOK Youth Camp-Out in Irakleio, Crete, the minister and MP spoke of "incorrect interventions" in the social security system, the labor sector and the health sector, the need for a "new vision and re-determination of the direction of PASOK's course", and the need for "a new social contract focus-sing on the individual".

He said it was not possible for one to maintain that the problems in the ruling party were responsible for the existing climate, which was "indisputably a consequence of the government policy, choices and measures" of the recent past.

The PASOK government had the "responsibility to proceed in the formulation of new policies that will reverse the negative climate", he said.

He noted that the relationship among market, state and economy was a complex one which needed to be "re-discussed", adding that in recent years, through Greece's obligatory harmonization with the European policies in order to achieve EU accession, "the economy was upgraded but society was left behind".

"The compass must now point at a direction in which we will have an upgrading of the social element so as to counterbalance the omnipotence of the economic element," the minister said, saying the "economy-society equilibrium" was necessary in the course that PASOK must follow.

Tsohatzopoulos added that the conditions must be introduced so that economic growth would be founded on the human being.

He also defended the recent decision to move the party Congress forward to October.

[12] Verelis, Papoutsis announce drive to cut through ministry 'red tape'

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

They said the process would be similar to that already attempted in the Development ministry, and would seek to reduce the number of certificates and other documents required from the public, either by forwarding necessary documents between state agencies or replacing them with signed statements.

Also present at the press conference was Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, who presented the results of pilot program for a Citizens Service Center in Syntagma Square, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis a week ago.

According to Papandreou, the center had received 2,800 calls and visits from the public asking for assistance in transactions with the state, 25 per cent of which asked for information. The remaining 75 per cent applied for specific procedures to be carried out, such as the issue of documents or certificates.

She said about 40 per cent of the applications had been processed, 50 per cent were underway and 10 per cent involved re-quests that required a second visit by the applicant to the center.

[13] Women's group to implement action plan in light of municipal elections

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Women from all parties, with the exception of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), are participating in the association and its aim is the timely activation of women themselves and exerting pressure on all parties to support them.

Following an initiative by PASOK Eurodeputy and the Women's Political Association secretary general Anna Karamanou a joint action plan has been agreed on.

Among others, the program includes a nationwide probe to outline the profiles of women distinguishing themselves in local societies that are potential candidates in local administration elections and three-day and four-day bus tours of municipalities and prefectures to sensitize voters in favor of women candidates for mayors and prefects.

It also includes the creation of a network of women elected to local administration bodies in countries of southeastern Europe with the purpose of providing information, exchanging good practices and developing joint action.

[14] BoG chief puts growth at just below 4.5%, inflation at 3% early next year

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The central bank governor, after a two-hour meeting with national economy and finance minister Yannos Papantoniou, anticipated that the growth rate in early 2002 would just fall short of 4.5 percent, while inflation would be contained at 3 percent.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Papademos said the Bank of Greece's prediction of a growth rate just below 4.5 percent had been confirmed.

On inflation, he said the rate would remain at the present level over the next few months, before gradually de-escalating to 3.0 percent in late 2001-early 2002.

[15] National Bank of Greece governor meets with Bulgarian premier designate

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Karantzas arrived in Sofia for the signing on Monday of an agreement between the International Finance Corporation, National Bank of Greece and Halkor SA for the award of a loan that will enable the Greek industry to carry out an 88-million-euro investment plan in Bulgaria.

[16] Unions ask gov't to scrap new share sale for Hellenic Petroleum

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The company currently has a minority stake quoted on the Athens Stock Exchange, where it is a heavily traded stock.

The request by the General Confederation of Labor of Greece, which represents nearly a million workers in the private and public sectors, was made in a letter to National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

Last week, Christodoulakis said that the shares, which belong to the state, would be sold to a strategic investor in the same sector, and that the move would allow Hellenic Petroleum to go global, also reinforcing its presence in the Balkans.

Appointed to sound out the market for the new round of privatization were UBS Warburg and National Bank of Greece, the minister said.

[17] Three companies submit bids for purchase of Skaramangas Shipyards

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

A meeting on the issue is expected to be held at the development ministry on Tuesday.

[18] Gov't offers permits for renewable energy plants

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

Available are 38 licenses for wind parks, small hydroelectric stations, biomass units and photovoltaic facilities under the directive signed by Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

Requests for permits are to be submitted to the state's Energy Regulatory Commission by October 15, the ministry said in a statement.

[19] French minister presents French gov’t proposal on common European degree

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The presentation was made during his visit to the European Center for Vocational Training Development (Cedefop) in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.

Melenchon had discussed the same program with Education Minister Petros Efthymiou in Athens in the morning and, as he said during a press conference, Efthymiou expressed Greece's desire to participate in the "common degree" program in the above sectors.

Apart from France, Germany, Spain and Britain are also participating in the program.

Melenchon said the program aims at qualitative training in these two sectors and the confirmation of qualifications with a degree, which will be valid throughout the European Union.

He said that initially qualifications for professions should be registered in cooperation with social partners (employees and employers), which will then be evaluated.

[20] Lafarge completes buyout of Heracles cement maker

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The buyout was due to the acquisition, in turn, of Aget's owner, Blue Circle Industries Plc of the UK, by Lafarge Minerals Limited, a subsidiary of Lafarge SA.

Blue Circle Industries owned 100 percent of Luxembourg-based Blue Circle Investments SA, Aget's 54-percent owner until Monday.

The three companies informed the Athens Stock Exchange, where Aget is quoted, of the acquisition.

[21] IFC, National Bank of Greece to finance Halkor investment

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The financing, signed in Sofia, will be given through Sofia Med AD, a Bulgarian subsidiary of Halkor that produces copper and copper alloys.

Halkor's investment plan in the neighboring Balkan country includes the purchase and installation of machinery budgeted at 54 million euros.

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks in freefall on lack of demand

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The Athens general index finished 4.48 percent lower at 2,314.08 points on turnover of 118.41 million euros (40.3 billion drachmas).

Worst hit were small capitalization shares.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 4.34 percent lower; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 5.40 percent down; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities lost 5.52 percent.

Decliners led advancers at 347 to eight with five issues remaining unchanged.

Bond Market Close: Bond prices mixed in scant trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in light trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.54 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 240 million euros (82 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for around half of turnover.

[23] Thrace celebrates 80th anniversary with unique exhibition

Athens, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

The exhibition entitled "Thrace 80 Years Since the Incorporation" was in the presence of Parliamentary Vice-President Konstantinos Vrettos.

A children's exhibit was inaugurated, as a parallel to the event, showcasing works from sixth grade students from all over Thrace, under the title "Thrace 80 Years Since the Incorporation: I Travel back to Yesterday, I Monitor Today, I Dream About Tomorrow and I Draw."

The exhibition includes historical maps, a vast collection of writings and photographs which all illustrate the vast cultural wealth, day-to-day life and history of Thrace from antiquity to modern times.

The exhibition will be hosted in Alexandroupolis until mid August and will then be travel to the cities of Rodopi and Xanthi.

[24] Memorial service for Ecumenical Patriarchate benefactor Angelopoulos

ISTANBUL, 17/07/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos reiterated this during a memorial service held at the Phanar 40 days after the pas-sing on of Angelopoulos.

Vartholomeos recalled the many charitable acts of Panayiotis Angelopoulos, not only in Istanbul but in Athens, Zurich and elsewhere as well.

[25] SAE offers scholarships to Greek students in

US CHICAGO, 17/07/2001 (ANA)

"Recognizing the significance of this effort, SAE offers its undivided support and calls on qualifying students to capitalize on this opportunity and also receive a high level of education with Hellenic principles and standards," said SAE Vice President of North and South America Christos Tomaras in an announcement.

Scholarships are offered in the areas of Classic Studies, Human Development, Religious Studies and Elementary Education (the last mentioned of which is for Greek-American schools only).

[26] US Senate Committee adopts resolution on Cypriot enclaved

NICOSIA, 17/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The resolution calls on the US Congress to expresses its intention to "remain actively interested in the matter until the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the enclaved people of Cyprus are restored, respected and safeguarded."

In a letter to Senator Joe Biden, who chaired the Senate Committee meeting, leaders of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) expressed their satisfaction that "the first business meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under your chairmanship, at which legislation was considered, included the unprecedented passage of the Cyprus Enclaved Resolution."

CEH leaders underlined the importance of the resolution, firstly "introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe and Barbara Mikulski", and noted that the resolution "sat unmoved in the Foreign Relations Committee for over six years, despite the fact that we helped secure 37 Senators, representing over half of the American people, to cosponsor this legislation".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of its territory. Some 200.000 Greek Cypriots were uprooted from their homes and properties. In the aftermath of the Turkish invasion in 1974 there were about 20,000 Greek Cypriots living in occupied Cyprus but the hardships they have had to endure forced most of them to leave.

The number of the enclaved people in the occupied areas of Cyprus has now been reduced to 593, out of which 428 are Greek Cypriots and 165 Maronites.

The resolution refers to the Vienna III Agreement of 1975 which states that "Greek Cypriots in the north of the island are free to stay and they will be given every help to lead a normal life, including facilities for education and for the practice of their religion, as well as medical care by their own doctors and freedom of movement in the north."

The resolution refers to a 1996 report by the UN Secretary General by which he informed the Security Council that the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of the island "were subjected to severe restrictions and limitations in many basic freedoms, which had the effect of ensuring that inexorably, with the passage of time, the communities would cease to exist".

The Committee in its resolution refers to measures against UNFICYP "instituted by the Turkish side since June 2000" that "have further complicated the situation".

The resolution cites the findings of the European Commission for Human Rights of the Council of Europe which state that "the absence of normal means of communication, the unavailability in practice of the Greek Cypriot press, the insufficient number of priests, the difficult choice before which parents and school children are put regarding secondary education, the restrictions and formalities applied to freedom of movement, the impossibility to preserve property rights upon departure or death and the various other restrictions create a feeling among the persons concerned of being compelled to live in a hostile environment".

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