Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek citizens' struggles for democracy have been vindicated, premier says

[02] President awards medals for anniversary of military junta's fall

[03] Reppas: Greek-Italian ties not affected by Genoa incidents

[04] Italian authorities deny access to Greeks arrested in Genoa

[05] Greek Demonstration Committee says Genoa a besieged fortress

[06] Simitis, Pangalos meet, discuss political conditions, upcoming PASOK congress

[07] PM chairs meeting on problem of water shortage

[08] Bishops barred from candidate list for Jerusalem Patriarchate send letter to Greek PM

[09] Greece to set up competitiveness council

[10] Alpha Bank, BNP Paribas mulling alliance

[11] Latsis, RWE Power launch electricity alliance

[12] Greece has among lowest factory car prices in

[13] Serbia seeks Greek contractors for infrastructure projects

[14] Stocks rise in scant trade

[15] EU's decisive, leading role aids successful conclusion agreement on environment

[16] Union of Athens-Piraeus IKA doctors finds ministers' proposals positive

[17] New groups claim early-morning firebomb attacks on bank, European Studies Center

[18] Drama welcomes Basque Euro-MPs proposal for ancient Greek

[19] Swiss IOC member appointed president of the 2004 Coordinating Committee

[20] G8 leaders renew commitment to support UN chief's efforts on Cyprus

[21] UN chief hopes Cyprus peace talks back on track soon

[22] Jack Straw says no third party has veto over Cyprus' EU accession

[23] Luxembourg foreign minister begins talks

[24] New York Comptroller says US opposes occupation of Cyprus

[25] Hillary Clinton expresses hope over Cyprus settlement

[01] Greek citizens' struggles for democracy have been vindicated, premier says

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

"Much needs to be done. We will continue. This common course should not be cut short. The struggle for democracy never ends. Every citizen of this country ... helped in the healing process of the national, social, cultural and moral problems that were piled up during a long and painful period of the political history of our country," Simitis said.

He called on Greek citizens to continue on with new ideas "so as to continue on the course as a country, as a society, as citizens through the 21st century," he said, predicting that this course will not be an easy one.

"A course within a totally different political, social and economic landscape than the one we knew in 1974. A new exciting course, but at the same time one of challenge and difficulties," Simitis noted.

Simitis also stressed that the "democratic institutions are now solid and considered an accomplished aim. The new goal is the continual deepening and widening of social justice, as well as the strengthening of social cohesion".

"The confrontation of current challenges can not be effective with a fixation with the past nor with the traditional ideological forms. The new era is in need of a quest of a new political culture ... the future can not be conquered with old recipes, nor can it be conquered with backtracking," he said, adding that the "future can not be secured with stereotypes and inflexibilities of the past, phobias and doctrinal ideas".

The Greek premier also focused on the Cyprus problem, calling it an open wound "27 years after that tragic summer of the betrayal of Cyprus and the barbaric invasion of the island".

"We can not but stress this problem, which continues to be our first national priority. The island is still divided in two. The efforts of all these years to resolve the problem of Cyprus, in the framework of the United Nations, did not bear fruit," he said.

"The maintenance of the status quo offends the international community, it offends Hellenism, it offends every notion of modern civilized society. We will continue the effort until the final vindication. This a struggle of all Greeks, as well as of all civilized humanity," Simitis noted.

Simitis also sent a message Monday evening to a special event organized by the Association of Imprisoned Persons during the 1967-74 military junta period.

PM to mark return of democracy anniversary with Yiaros visit: Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to pay a symbolic visit to the island of Yiaros on Tuesday, the anniversary of the restoration of democracy to Greece after the fall of the colonels' junta in 1974.

The island was used as a prison for political prisoners, mostly of the Left, that opposed the military dictatorship in Greece between 1967-1974.

According to a press release from the prime minister's office, through this visit Simitis wishes to pay tribute to those that actively resisted the seven-year dictatorship.

[02] President awards medals for anniversary of military junta's fall

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Among those so honored was the President of the European Court of Justice Gil Carlos Rodriguez Iglesias, who received the Grand Cross of the Phoenix medal, academic Paul Mylonas who received the Higher Commander of the Order of the Phoenix.

Also receiving Order of the Phoenix medals were Athens university professor Costas Beis, Niki Goulandris, Princeton University professor Edmund Keeley, and the director of the French School at Athens Prof. Roland Etienne.

Golden Cross of Honor awards were given to a series of Greek artists and Natalia Moroleon, professor at Mexico City's university.

ND leader inaugurates exhibition commemorating press after fall of military junta: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Monday inaugurated an exhibition of press clippings concerning the first three days following the restoration of democracy in Greece in July 1974, following a seven-year military dictatorship.

The exhibition, held at the Zappeion Hall and organized by the "Constantine Karamanlis Institute of Democracy" and ND's cultural issues committee, is being held on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece.

In his brief address, Karamanlis said that the press projects "the situation, and the political and social morals of every season."

He said that there is rarely a consensus on the front pages of newspapers underlining, nonetheless, that the newspaper clippings published after the fall of the junta were a rare exception.

The inauguration exhibition was followed by a concert by well-known composers and conductors Mikis Theodorakis and Stavros Xarhakos, while at an awards ceremony Karamanlis later awarded honorary plaques to both men.

Coalition's message: In a message marking the anniversary of the restoration of democracy, meanwhile, was also released by the Coalition of the Left and Progress party, which noted the need to take into account the concerns and struggles of people in the present day.

Referring to the anti-globalization protests in Genoa, the announcement said they "gave a new impetus and hope to the struggle against neoliberal policies in Greece and Europe."

[03] Reppas: Greek-Italian ties not affected by Genoa incidents

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

According to the spokesman, the vast majority of the citizens participating in the protests had tried to promote their positions peacefully and democratically. He urged these to isolate those few groups who attempting to get their message across by using violence.

"The Genoa Summit is a good lesson all round," Reppas told reporters, while adding that civilization was not compatible with unemployment, poverty and misery in large sections of the planet's population.

"Those who attempt to write history without the citizens will be condemned by it," he said.

Reppas said that Greece was constantly in contact with Italian authorities regarding the two Greeks who had been arrested over the weekend and insisted that both should be set free.

According to reports, he added, Peroulis Sakellaridis was soon to be released from a prison in Pavia where he was being held.

The second Greek arrested, Panagiotis Sideriadis, would remain in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery, the spokesman said.

Regarding relations between Athens and Rome, Reppas noted his statements at the time when Silvio Berlusconi came into power and expressed hope that the statements made by the Italian Embassy in Athens were a "parenthesis that is now closed".

[04] Italian authorities deny access to Greeks arrested in Genoa

ROME, 24/07/2001 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

Meanwhile, the other Greek national arrested while taking part in protests during the G8 summit in the city, Peroulis Sakellaridis who was arrested on Friday, was being held in a prison in Pavia on a charge of "inciting physical violence".

According to ANA sources, Greek consular authorities in Italy have asked to be allowed to visit the two prisoners but have so far been denied access.

Italian authorities have also refused to allow all contact between the two prisoners and their families or Greek consular authorities until they testify before a magistrate.

[05] Greek Demonstration Committee says Genoa a besieged fortress

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Leftist officials outlined the disturbances which occurred in the Italian city during the summit of leaders of the eight most developed countries, during a press conference held on Monday.

Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos said a "new wall of shame was erected in Genoa, dividing mankind into two. On the one hand the few and powerful and on the other the many and poor".

Constantopoulos said the "the citizens of the world gave its reply to the market of profit", adding that the citizens always symbolized the struggle for participation and control in decisions, a fair allocation of burdens and benefits, protection of life, the widening of freedoms and rights and the seeking of freedom for all without exclusions.

He added that the only conclusion reached by the G-8 was the "provocatively unhistorical lesson that, from now on, they should meet in inaccessible regions, confirming in this way that they are distant from global reality".

Constantopoulos further said the two faces of present-day Europe were highlighted in Genoa. "On the one hand, the G-8 summit and the nonexistence of a united Europe, with the image of Europe suiting the U.S., and on the other the image of the united Europe of peoples in the streets of Genoa."

Yiannis Banias, representing the Renovating Communist and Ecological Left (AKOA) organization, said the G-8 is "a dangerous gangrene for the planet and that the river of reaction against them is strong and will chase them".

Former Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Eurodeputy Yiannis Theonas said the main conclusion reached in Genoa "is that a period of democratic superficiality is currently being experienced".

KKE: Speaking at a separate press conference, KKE secretary general Aleka Papariga accused the Greek government of "also being present in organizing suppression and manipulation in Genoa" and claimed that Greek police were present in the Italian city.

Papariga said the problem is global capitalism and added that the movement (against G-8) "has a potential since pure and radical popular trends converge in it". However, she added that it "should not fall into the trap set by the transformations of capitalism".

Union of Greek Journalists condemns police action in Genoa: The National Greek Union of Journalists (POESY) on Monday criticized Italian law enforcement officials for raiding the headquarters at the Genoa Social forum on July 22, and the actions of the police against the thousands of protestors participating in the anti-globalization demonstrations.

The union described the raid as "barbaric and bloody", while condemning the "inhuman, fascist type of action by police against hundreds of thousands of protestors during the G8 Summit talks."

POESY, according to a statement, formally participated in Genoa with a delegation.

POESY logged a complaint to the International Federation of Journalists and the European Federation of Journalists over the "unacceptable and anti-journalistic bloody events," and at the same time applauded the youths that flooded the streets of Genoa who it said "defiantly escaped the bullets, the air raids, the beatings, the tear gas and the roadblocks so that they could protest against the G8 Summit, giving a significant and really liberal meaning to globalization."

Amnesty International expresses concern over events in Genoa: The Greek Chapter of Amnesty International on Monday expressed its concern over the shooting death of a protestor during the incidents that surrounded the Genoa G8 conference and the circumstances that led to the man's death.

In a statement released to the press, Amnesty International called on the Italian authorities to intensify the training of public order personnel, in efforts to avoid the use of lethal force in circumstances such as that of the shooting death of a protestor by a 20-year-old police officer, who was serving his military tour of duty in the Italian police force.

The non-government organization urged officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the beatings suffered by a group of Greek activists at the Ancona port on July 19th.

Amnesty International, also, noted that Italian authorities should summon a thorough investigation of the training and deployment of law enforcement officers involved in crowd control, and at the same time called on officials to take all required measures to ensure that officers are sufficiently equipped and qualified to operate non-lethal methods of crowd control.

The organization said that "no more than reasonable force should be used to control disturbances".

It added that officials should also conduct a thorough inquiry over the July 19th incident at the Ancona port where some 130 Greek activists, who had planned to participate at the Genoa anti-globalization march against the G8 Summit, were not allowed entry to Italy and were mistreated by authorities there.

Some of those expelled, particularly the President of the Greek chapter of Amnesty International, forthrightly accused members of the Italian police force of using violent methods against the Greek group which at some point included many beatings by clubs.

Amnesty International also voiced its concern on the allegations of indiscriminate assaults by officers on non-violent protestors, journalists reporting on the demonstrations and individuals unconnected to the demonstrations.

The global organization also said in its statement that it was greatly troubled over the raid carried out at the headquarters of the Genoa Social Forum on July 22, where officers subjected individuals to deliberate and gratuitous beatings, and the whole event resulted in numerous injuries, some of which required urgent hospital treatment.

Also, allegations that some of those arrested in Genoa over the last few days have been deprived of prompt access to legal services and prompt and adequate medical care, are also a cause for concern, the statement said.

[06] Simitis, Pangalos meet, discuss political conditions, upcoming PASOK congress

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Pangalos, in statements to the press, said that the common aim of both men was the formulation of a positive course of the government for the benefit of the country.

Pangalos called the talks honest and stated that there is not "ice" between him and the prime minister. This was the first meeting between Pangalos and Simitis, since the later lost his government post late last year.

He stressed that Simitis should be reelected to the presidency of the party in the October party congress, since he has the popular mandate to rule, while he allowed for the possibility that he might run for the office of the party's secretary, in the event that the elections for the post will be open to a party vote.

According to sources from the premier's office the talks were conducted in a very good climate.

The same sources said that Pangalos expressed his opinions on many issues regarding the government's course and focused on issues related to the party congress, stressing specific issues that were discussed among PASOK members and will be tabled to the congress.

The former minister also discussed globalization issues and the need for adaptation to the necessary changes that are socially and politically imperative.

[07] PM chairs meeting on problem of water shortage

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis later said the national plan for managing water resources will be enacted by the end of the year and will determine directions and principles, as well as institutions for managing water resources at all levels.

He also said all admit that the country should have a national action plan for managing water resources and this was precisely the issue discussed with the prime minister.

Laliotis added that Greece, being a Mediterranean country and due to climatic changes, can or might have a bigger problem regarding the adequacy of water resources and for this reason there should be a national action plan.

[08] Bishops barred from candidate list for Jerusalem Patriarchate send letter to Greek PM

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

The five high ranking bishops of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who addressed the letter to the Greek premier, found themselves off the list of candidates as Israel considers them unacceptable for the post.

At this time the Patriarchate is going through the process of electing a new Patriarch following the death of Patriarch Diodoros.

The bishops reported, what they called, "the flagrant violation of freedom of conscience by the Israeli government and its unacceptable intervention in the internal issues of the Holy Jerusalem Church in light of the historic election of its new primate."

They added that the Israeli government barred the clerics "pretending that it took into consideration the importance of the Patriarchate and security issues involved, the Patriarch's position towards the state of Israel."

They further noted that the barring harms their personalities irreparably and circumvents the freedom of the most ancient Christian Church in the world.

The tradition involving the acquiescence of the Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian authorities in the election of the Patriarch dates to the days before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, when eastern Jerusalem was part of Jordan.

With the conquest of East Jerusalem by the Israelis in 1967, the Patriarchate called on the Israeli government to also offer its approval of candidates and since that time the acquiescence of the Palestinian authorities was also sought.

At this time the system works as follows: the Patriarchate tables a list of three names to all three authorities and each has the right to bar those it considers unacceptable, this process is continued until a final list of candidates is drafted and then the election process taking place with the participation of all bishops belonging to the Patriarchate can begin.

[09] Greece to set up competitiveness council

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Announcing the move, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Monday that the new council would compare national competitiveness with that of other countries, especially Greece's market rivals.

Christodoulakis also presented the findings of a global survey on competitiveness by the World Economic Forum.

According to the study, Greece in 2000 ranked 34th among 59 countries on economic competitiveness, up from 41st place in 1999 and 44th place in 1998. Used in the survey were 153 indicators.

In terms of attracting industrial, research and development and services activity, Greece ranked 30th in 2000, up from 40th place in 1996.

Christodoulakis also said that in the World Competitiveness Yearbook, Greece ranked 30th in competitiveness in 2001, up from 38th place in 2000 and 40th in 1996. The survey was conducted by the International Institute for Management Development.

The minister noted that Greece's macroeconomic indicators had improved, and that employment had risen. In addition, production costs and interest rates had both shown a continuous decline in recent years, aiding competitiveness.

He added that Greece's spending on technology, information technology and communications as a proportion of gross domestic product were approaching the European Union average.

[10] Alpha Bank, BNP Paribas mulling alliance

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Blue chip Alpha had previously said that it was holding negotiations BNP on a possible alliance linked to the introduction of the euro as a single currency on January 1, 2002, when competition would be tougher in the banking sector.

On Friday, the Athens bourse had dropped sharply in a slump partly fuelled by conflicting talk of a rumored takeover of Alpha by BNP. The French bank's president told the market authorities that the rumor was untrue.

[11] Latsis, RWE Power launch electricity alliance

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

The two groups will operate in the newly liberated Greek market, with an option to expand into Balkan countries, they said in a statement.

In addition, talks are under way for an alliance in the transmission of electricity. The two firms would submit an application to the Greek Energy Regulatory Authority for a license to supply electricity, the statement said.

RWE Power is one of the largest electricity producers in Europe, which also owns a stake in German engineering contractor Hochtief, builder of the new Athens international airport at Spata, it added.

[12] Greece has among lowest factory car prices in

EU BRUSSELS, 24/07/2001 (ANA / M. Spinthourakis)

The report released on Monday said that in Greece, Finland and Denmark, the low factory prices were due to high taxation, with car manufacturers pitching prices low in order to keep the final price after tax accessible to the public.

[13] Serbia seeks Greek contractors for infrastructure projects

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Road and rail projects were budgeted at 4.0 billion US dollars, and could be undertaken by consortiums, Sumarac told a news conference in Athens.

He added that several Greek firms had expressed interest in the metal packaging sector, and probably in the cement industry. A Greek firm had joined a consortium and bought land in Belgrade for construction of a shopping precinct.

Among Greek firms that had expressed interest in joint ventures with Serbian firms were Gnomon, Gekat and Daring, Sumarac said.

[14] Stocks rise in scant trade

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

The general share index gained 3.38 percent to end at 2,592.0 points, with turnover at 110 million euros (37.5 billion drachmas).

Equities had dropped sharply on Friday in the wake of three rises that followed a plunge at the start of the previous week. Jolting the market was conflicting talk about the rumored acquisition by BNP Paribas of a stake in Alpha Bank, which BNP denied. The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 3.86 percent higher; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 2.77 percent up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities gained 2.58 percent.

Of 363 stocks traded, advancers led decliners at 304 to 37 with 22 issues remaining unchanged.

A week ago on Monday the bourse had shed nearly five percent as part of a lasting slump after buyers resolutely stayed out of the market with small capitalization shares the worst hit.

The most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Fitco and Coca Cola.

Equity futures end higher: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange ended higher in light trade on Monday as sentiment improved on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Traded were 10,112 contracts on turnover of 69.2 million euros, traders said.

Bond prices nose down in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in light to moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.46 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 49 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 595 million euros (202.7 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[15] EU's decisive, leading role aids successful conclusion agreement on environment

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

It added that the concluded agreement concerns the creation of structures for controlling carbon dioxide emissions on a national level, as well as apparatuses for imposing sanctions in the event of the violation of what has been agreed.

The utilization of forests as a means of absorbing carbon dioxide was also decided, as well as of crops through increasing the biomass.

The agreement also concerns the possibility of using so-called Flexible Apparatuses for the joint utilization of programs between developed and less developed countries.

Participants also agreed on the creation of aid funds for developing countries, both for their technological modernization and the handling of repercussions of the greenhouse phenomenon.

Developed countries, with the exception of the U.S., committed themselves to contributing 600 million euro annually, beginning from 2005.

Deputy Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Ilias Efthymiopoulos headed the Greek delegation in Bonn.

"The compromise we achieved does not ultimately mean damages for the environment nor, of course, for national positions. It is not far from the positions of the EU and secures a fair allocation of burdens with simultaneous effectiveness. However, the great importance of the agreement lies in the fact that it was achieved under difficult conditions and an unfavorable political and economic environment," Efthymiopoulos said.

[16] Union of Athens-Piraeus IKA doctors finds ministers' proposals positive

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

The Union's President Costas Chronaios said the reason for suspending strike action is that five points proposed by relevant ministers last Friday were considered positive.

The first proposal anticipates the creation of a quadripartite committee in which the health-social insurances and health-welfare ministries will participate, as well as IKA's board and the National Federation of IKA Doctors.

The committee will issue a report on problems faced by doctors by September 20.

The President of the National Federation of IKA Doctors Lefteris Athanasopoulos said clinics will be open until September and that he will seek meetings with relevant ministers over this period.

[17] New groups claim early-morning firebomb attacks on bank, European Studies Center

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

According to police, a homemade bomb comprising two propane canisters exploded at 1:10 a.m. outside a National Bank branch in Gyzi, shattering the bank's front window and a car and motorcycle parked outside on the street.

An anonymous caller later telephoned the ELEFTHEROTYPIA Athens daily and claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of a previously unknown group calling itself the "Anarchist Liberation Brigade".

About an hour later, a similar bomb comprising two propane canisters exploded outside the European Studies Center in the central Exarchia district of Athens, causing damage to the entrance of the building housing the center.

An anonymous caller later telephoned ELEFTHEROTYPIA and claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of another new group calling itself the "Carlo Giuliani Group" after the 23-year-old Italian anti-globalization protestor who was fatally shot in Genoa on Friday during a confrontation between police and protestors at the G8 summit.

[18] Drama welcomes Basque Euro-MPs proposal for ancient Greek

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

The council also urges Greek Europarliament deputies to support the proposal.

The Basque Euro-MPs proposed that the teaching ancient Greek be made mandatory for all European Union high schools and universities.

[19] Swiss IOC member appointed president of the 2004 Coordinating Committee

Athens, 24/07/2001 (ANA)

Oswald is also president of the Summer Olympic Games International Federations Union, president of the International Rowing Federation and a Coordinating Committee member,

Oswald will undertake the task of monitoring preparations being made by Athens to host the 2004 Olympic Games, following Rogge's assumption of the IOC presidency.

In another development, it was announced on Monday that the next meeting between the Coordinating Committee and the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee would be held on September 26-28.

[20] G8 leaders renew commitment to support UN chief's efforts on Cyprus

NICOSIA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In their statement on regional issues the G8 leaders, who convened in Genoa, Italy, on July 20-22 expressed their full support on the conclusions of the G8 foreign ministers, who met in Rome on July 18-19. A paragraph on Cyprus was included in the conclusions and expressed anticipation of renewed efforts by all parties in the Cyprus problem and a prompt resumption of talks for a settlement under the good offices of the UN Secretary-General.

The paragraph on Cyprus reads: "We recall the Okinawa statement and renew our commitment to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to find a just and lasting settlement that protects the fundamental interests of all parties in an undivided Cyprus giving full consideration to relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We look forward to renewed efforts by all parties and a prompt resumption of talks under the good offices of the UN Secretary General."

UN-led proximity talks aiming at reaching an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem were interrupted last year when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash abandoned the talks, which started in December 1999, declaring them "dead" and demanding recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus before he returns to the dialogue.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[21] UN chief hopes Cyprus peace talks back on track soon

NICOSIA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Annan's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto has been in touch with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the past few days but no concrete announcement is yet to be made.

Speaking Monday in New York, Eckhard said, "it is well known that efforts are underway to get the Cyprus talks back on track."

"The Secretary General hopes this will happen soon," he added.

"In this context, the Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Mr. de Soto has been in contact with Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash in the last few days but I am not yet in a position to make any concrete announcement," Eckhard told the press.

Eckhard's remarks come after Denktash is reported to have said that it is on his agenda to go to New York and meet Annan and that a decision about the peace talks will be made as a result of that.

De Soto has chaired proximity talks with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides since December 1999. Denktash has refused to return to the negotiating table after last November's round of talks and declared the proximity talks dead and a waste of time.

He now demands recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before he resumes the negotiations. President Clerides has made it abundantly clear that any attempt to satisfy Denktash's demands will not be accepted.

In the past few weeks there has been increasing media speculation that the talks are set to resume in New York in September and optimistic statements to this effect were also made by various parties involved in the peace effort.

[22] Jack Straw says no third party has veto over Cyprus' EU accession

NICOSIA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

He also pointed out that no third party has a veto over the accession of Cyprus and recalled the EU Helsinki decision that a political settlement would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for it.

"To start doing so (discussing within the EU the practical implications of accession if no settlement has been reached) now would risk undermining the credibility of the UN efforts to reach a settlement, by suggesting that the EU expected them to fail," Straw said, replying to the fifth report from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Committee had recommended that the Foreign Office takes steps the earliest possible to open discussions within the EU on how in practical terms the far from hypothetical problem of the accession of Cyprus while it is still politically divided should be overcome.

"We believe that the objective must be to reach a Cyprus settlement before enlargement. So we strongly support the international settlement process under UN auspices," Straw said.

[23] Luxembourg foreign minister begins talks

LARNACA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on her arrival, Polfer, here for a two-day official visit, said the international community hopes that UN-led proximity talks aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus question would finally be successful.

Invited to comment on Turkey's position against Cyprus accession to the EU, Polfer said the EU has clearly stated that the results of each candidate country's accession negotiations should be based on its own merits and that no country should have the right to veto the accession of another one.

[24] New York Comptroller says US opposes occupation of Cyprus

NICOSIA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"The United States join in opposing the continuing Turkish occupation of 37 percent of the territory of Cyprus and the 27-year-long effort towards finding a just, peaceful and viable solution to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus must be acknowledged with our respect and support", the proclamation adds and proclaims Friday, 20th July, 2001 to be "Justice for Cyprus Day."

The proclamation, issued on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, says that on July 20, 1974, 200 thousand people were forcibly displaced from their homes and a large number captured during the invasion which also resulted in the destruction of historical monuments and places of worship.

[25] Hillary Clinton expresses hope over Cyprus settlement

NICOSIA, 24/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In an open letter publicized by her Office, Clinton also noted there was no issue that was more important to the citizens of Cyprus and the friends of Cyprus than the resolution of the conflict that divided Cyprus for twenty-seven years.

"I hope that this anniversary will be the impetus that will bring all parties together to reach a settlement that meets the fundamental interests of the parties - including real security for all Cypriots and an end to the island's division."

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