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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-23Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>July 23, 2001CONTENTS
[01] Foreign ministry denies that armed Greeks attempted to disembark in ItalyAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)The Greek foreign ministry on Saturday categorically denied allegations by the Italian embassy in Greece that Greeks or individuals of other nationalities were armed or carried dangerous materials aboard Greek ships that reached the port of Ancona, Italy on Thursday.Italian authorities did not allow scores of protesters headed for the G8 conference, taking place in Genoa, to disembark in Ancona, claiming that they possessed dangerous materials and were armed. On Friday the Italian embassy issued a press release claiming that necessary checks for arms and other dangerous materials were not conducted adequately by Greek authorities at the port of Patra. "We deny in the most categorical way as fully baseless the claims of the Italian embassy regarding the presence on Greek ships - that reached the port of Ancona - of Greeks or individuals of other nationalities protesters supplied with weapons and dangerous materials," foreign ministry spokesman Dimitris Beglitis said in a press release issued on Saturday. He added that the ministry categorically denied all claims that there was "absence of checks and/or preventive controls by the Greek authorities". "Despite the request of the Greek authorities to their Italian counterparts to submit evidence regarding the aforementioned allegations, the Italian authorities did not submit absolutely anything," Beglitis noted. "We are requesting once more that evidence is submitted. In the event that this is not done, it will be apparent that this was a blatant and fabricated inaccuracy, which raises questions over its purpose," he concluded. ND calls Italian reaction to protests unacceptable, KKE, SYN organize rally in Thessaloniki: Greek main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday called "unacceptable" the way Italian authorities dealt with the protests in Genoa, which were organized in opposition of the G8 conference there. Meanwhile, ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, in a press release, said that "all that happened in Genoa and cost the life of a protestor and the wounding of scores of others reaffirm the deepest concerns, expressed in the past by ND for the way globalization is taking." "Our position is that the use of violence can not be a solution," he said, adding that the depends of the citizens must be heard. On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemned, what it called, "the crimes of the Italian government and those of the EU and US governments." KKE called on the Greek government "to stop fooling the people and to give account of the members of the Greek police and the Greek secret service that it sent to Italy to follow and provide information about the Greek protestors". Earlier in the day, about 200 people - mostly members of KKE, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) and other leftist groups - gathered in downtown Thessaloniki northern Greece and marched through the center of the city in protest of the G8 conference. Defense minister blames world leaders over Genoa incidents: Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Sunday said that the leaderships of the powerful of the world were responsible for the incidents of Genoa, speaking of conditions of "a state at siege and military law". "The citizens are exercising the established right to protest on issues of current politics and democratic order, to exercise the right of expression of disagreement and difference of opinion," Tsohatzopoulos said. "Meanwhile they defend democracy, which is the only defense of the peoples against the attitudes that can reach the level of totalitarian form," he added. Earlier in the day, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos attacked globalization, also, saying that he has been noting for some time now that globalization leads to alienation and social injustice. [02] Two Greek nationals arrested in Genoa during protest against the G8 conferenceGENOA, 23/07/2001 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)Two Greek nationals were arrested on Genoa for resisting the instructions of authority and were held in custody one since Friday and the other since Saturday.The two men were arrested by the Genoa police force during protests against the G8 conference. Peroulis Sakelaridis, 35, was arrested on charges of resisting the local authorities and causing damages to property. He was temporarily jailed in Pavia. Panagiotis Sideriadis, 24 or 25 years of age was arrested and held in a local hospital, without having suffered injuries, on charges of resisting the orders of the authorities [03] ND leader outlines party political program to businessmenAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Saturday called on regional societies and their representatives to be active, saying that he aimed at forming a wide societal majority to deal with the priority problems of the country.ND wants to "establish channels of communication, cooperation and trust, during the little time that it will remain as the country's main opposition," Karamanlis said, during his address to the Argos, Peloponnese, Chamber of Commerce. He stressed that his party will win the electoral majority, but noted that "the great policies and radical changes need very wide consent and societal majorities", that should include even those that will not vote for his party in the next elections. Karamanlis stressed that ND believes in private enterprise and the role of the private sector, underlining that his party aims at a society with greater cohesion and participation "in the obligations, in the actions, as well as in the distribution of the fruits of development, since we can not continually say to the workers or to the unemployed to tighten their belt and call for austerity". [04] Interior minister to meet with premier ahead of PASOK Executive Bureau meetingAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)The government is productive, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou said on Sunday, admitting, however, that there are weaknesses and mistakes have been made, while she accused main opposition New Democracy of pessimism.The minister was addressing an event in the Dodecannese island o0f Kos. According to sources Papandreou will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday, hours before the meeting of ruling PASOK's Executive Bureau. PASOK deputy and former culture minister Theodoros Pangalos will meet with Simitis on Monday, for the first time since he lost his government post. Meanwhile, responding to rumors, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in an interview to the Ethnos Sunday edition, said that the issue of Simitis' succession is not one that should be discussed at present, saying that all rumored scenarios do not concern him and he is not dealing with them. [05] Turkish PM says UN should not "interfere" in Cyprus problemISTANBUL, 23/07/2001 (ANA - A. Ampatzis)The United Nations should not interfere in the Cyprus issue, Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday, in statements to the Turkish state television."It would be better if the United Nations did not interfere with the Cyprus issue. In the event that the UN and other countries did not interfere in the Cyprus issue, there would not have been a Cyprus problem," he said. The Turkish prime minister expressed his "concern" in the "event that an international military force is deployed in Cyprus" and claimed that Greece has made the southern part of the island republic a "military base", calling it "an issue of concern". Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied 37% of its territory. Turkey maintains more than 35,000 troops in the occupied northern part of the island republic refusing to abide by repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. [06] Minister announces new policy for tourism developmentAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)The development ministry's tourist infrastructure support services will be structured on a regional level, with each region having all the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) services as it did before, but included in a regional tourist development directorate, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Saturday.Speaking at the 4th Conference on Tourism in Crete, he stressed that tourism is developing into an industry, which should be competitive and be able to offer complex products that cannot easily be copied by other countries. Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who also addressed the conference, announced that sports, culture projects and projects related to preparations of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in Crete will be funded with 83 billion drachmas. [07] Greek port authority charged with guarding the southeastern EU bordersAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)Greek port authority boats will from now on carry the flag of the European Union in addition to the Greek flag, as the Greek port authority was charged with guarding the southeastern Union borders, Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis announced on Sunday.The minister made the statement during a ceremony inducting a confiscated boat to the service of the port authority of Tinos, central Aegean. The yacht was confiscated, as it was used to smuggle illegal migrants into Greece, and was the first such boat to enter service with the coast guard, following the ratification of a relevant bill by Parliament recently. The new law mandates that all vehicles and modes of transport that are confiscated by the port authority for being involved in illegal activities, will enter service in the branches of the port authority. The minister noted that several other boats would soon enter service as well. [08] Athens court rules Social Security Foundation doctors' strike illegalAthens, 23/07/2001 (ANA)Athens' first instance court ruled illegal a strike of doctors employed by the Social Security Foundation (IKA) called for July 20 to August 2, and levied a fine of 100,000 drachmas to the leaders of the unions' federation.The court also ruled that in the event the leaders of the federation go ahead with the strike they will be charged with contempt of court and will be imprisoned for three months. [09] Social Democrats elect Yiannakis Omirou as their new presidentNICOSIA, 23/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)Yiannakis Omirou, newly elected president of the Social Democrats Movement (KISOS), in his first comments after his election, praised the democratic process that prevailed during Sunday's electoral conference and said the meeting offers new prospects for the party.Omirou was elected on Sunday KISOS president with 1,564 votes against 892 votes his opponent Takis Hadjidemetriou got. Hadjidemetriou gave his full backing to the new president and called on everybody to rally around him to help push the party forward. Addressing party members after his election, Omirou said "today we sat for exams and we passed with flying colors, tomorrow we start work," adding that Sunday's conference has proved that there is democracy in the party ranks. He said the party went beyond polarization and moved towards unity and now offers new prospects. Addressing his opponent, he said "there are no winners and no losers in today's contest" and extended a hand of friendship and cooperation to Hadjidemetriou saying his experience and expertise would be put to good use for the benefit of the party. Lyssarides: Earlier, outgoing KISOS leader Vassos Lyssarides, in an emotional last speech as party president, suggested the Movement reverts to its original name EDEK, the socialist party he founded and has led since 1969. Lyssarides, following a proposal to the meeting, was declared honorary party president for life, a post that would allow him to participate in meetings of the National Council (top advisory body on the Cyprus question), help formulate party policies and be involved in important missions abroad to promote Cyprus' bid to join the European Union and efforts for a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem. The 81-year old veteran of Cyprus' political arena acknowledged the need for "new methods of communication, new structures, more involvement of the party grassroots and above all unity, consistency, freedom of expression but also backing for the democratically taken decisions." [10] House President calls on int'l community to press AnkaraNICOSIA, 23/07/2001 (CAN / ANA)House President Demetris Christofias warned on Sunday that any future peace talks for a settlement will yield no results unless Turkish Cypriot leader returns to the negotiating table without his long standing demand for two separate states in Cyprus. Christofias called on the international community, and in particular Britain and the US, to put their verbal support for a united Cyprus into action and address themselves to Ankara seeking a constructive stance to facilitate a solution. "It is obvious that in the wings of international diplomacy efforts are being made to revive the stalled talks and interest is focused on the return of Rauf Denktash to the talks," Christofias said in a speech to inaugurate a memorial for those killed and missing during the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. Denktash, backed by Ankara, abandoned the UN-led proximity talks last November declaring them dead and a waste of time. He now demands recognition of his self-styled regime in occupied Cyprus before he resumes negotiations. "Getting Denktash back to the negotiating table is not the point of the exercise. There will be no outcome from the talks if Denktash returns maintaining the same positions and his claims for recognition of what he calls the realities on the island and backing a confederation of two separate states," Christofias said. His comments come amid increasing speculation that the UN is preparing for a resumption of talks in September and in the wake of statements by Turkish premier Bulent Ecevit that the dialogue must continue. Christofias' remarks echo those President Glafcos Clerides made in his address to the people of Cyprus on Thursday, saying he would not accept talks that would simply help Denktash get out of the tight corner he has led himself into. He blamed Turkey and Denktash for the continuing stalemate in the peace effort but he also addressed himself to Britain and the US, saying they too share part of the responsibility because they appear unwilling to exert their influence on Ankara for a change of heart. Christofias stressed that the basis for a solution is defined by international law, UN resolutions and the two agreements reached by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation. "We have a long way to go before we see our country reunited and rid ourselves of the Turkish occupation troops," he concluded. [11] Greek Cypriots abroad demonstrate against occupationLONDON, 23/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)Hundreds of Greek Cypriots on Saturday staged a peaceful protest outside the Turkish embassy here to protest the continuing occupation of Cyprus' northern areas, demanding justice and freedom.Similar events took place on and off the island, to mark 27 years since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the Republic's territory. In Australia, Greek Cypriots holding lit candles formed a human chain outside the parliament in Victoria. The London demonstration passed off without any major incident in spite of the presence of some 40 Turks nearby who staged an anti-demonstration. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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