Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-27

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM chairs meeting on 3rd CSF

[02] Strong earthquake jolts Skyros island, some damage reported

[03] Turkish PM sends message of sympathy for quake sufferers on Greek island of Skyros

[04] Greece concerned over FYROM develop-ments, Beglitis says

[05] Turkish FM Cem to visit Greece in late autumn, Beglitis announces

[06] Chrysohoidis testifies regarding alleged list of Genoa activists

[07] PM says targets are growth, new social state and strengthening int'l position

[08] ND leader meets with Kastoria furriers, charges state of being indifferent to sector

[09] Theodorakis agrees to head committee for Yiaros monument

[10] Amendment allows state to sell majority of Hellenic Petroleum

[11] Gov't to set up umbrella telecom firm for state utilities

[12] Commission takes Greece to court over import duties on pharmaceuticals

[13] EU calls for end to Greek tax on foreign leisure boats

[14] Gov't says no to blanket public sector demand for allowances

[15] Services sector backs price stability for euro launch

[16] New highway interchange opens for Athens commuters

[17] Gap between rich and poor steady in 80s and 90s-OECD

[18] Slowdown in domestic industrial recovery

[19] Santorini ranks as most popular island in Europe-poll

[20] Stocks rise, break through resistance

[21] 1,800 German youths to pay homage to victims of Nazi massacre in Kalavryta

[22] US embassy hosts luncheon for Columbia U's quake research vessel visit

[23] Angelopoulos may succeed Rogge in 2009, British columnist says

[24] Gov't will not concede to moves it does not agree with in UN talks

[25] Turkish Cypriot politicians demand Cyprus solution, EU entry

[26] Cyprus to receive $15 million in US aid

[01] PM chairs meeting on 3rd CSF

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

In statements afterward, the prime minister said that the cabinet meeting had chiefly made decisions on organizational and procedural issues concerning the 3rd CSF, such as informing and mobilizing the interested parties and activating government services to support their efforts.

He added that 24 per cent of the 3rd CSF was in the process of being carried out.

Simitis stressed, however, that the package was not a gift given to Greece to do with as it wanted but was given under specific terms related to the programs that had to be implemented.

He urged businesses, local government and universities to prepare and submit programs so that the available funds could be absorbed.

Spokesman says Greece in 2004 will be much better than today: The inner cabinet convened on Thursday to detect problems appearing during the implementation of the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) and take specific initiatives to tackle them.

Speaking to the press afterwards, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government is on time with targets it has set and available resources are being utilized.

"With the development plan and the utilization of resources we have at our disposal, Greece in 2004 will be very different and much better than today," he said.

Reppas said in practice the 3rd CSF is being implemented at the rate of 25 percent and projects worth 2.6 trillion drachmas have been included in it, 50 percent of which are new projects and new activities.

It was ascertained, he said, that the country's representation should, in the framework of discussions with relevant European Commission services, be even stronger and more comprehensive.

Reppas added that to this end there would be continuous coordination and consultation between jointly responsible ministries to enable the Greek delegation, which will be holding discussions with European Commission officials on every occasion, to be very well prepared to deal with various issues raised by the Commission.

The spokesman said that, following a proposal by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the Economic and Social Committee chaired by the finance minister will discuss the development of the 3rd CSF and problems faced in the course of its implementation on a monthly basis.

The discussion will be taking place with the participation of all relevant ministers and those who are Committee members, as well as those who are not members of it but who have programs included in the 3rd CSF.

In addition, the operation of an integrated on-line informatics system was decided in which all data concerning projects included in the 3rd CSF will be registered to enable every service, as well as every citizen having access to the internet, to be in a position to be informed at any moment of the stage reached by every project included in this development plan.

[02] Strong earthquake jolts Skyros island, some damage reported

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The Athens Geodynamic Institute and Thessaloniki Seismology Laboratory said the trembler, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 3:20 a.m. with its epicenter in the sea region north of Skyros, about 150 kilometers northeast of Athens.

Skyros residents took to the streets in panic, where they spent the rest of the night, as seismologists warned that aftershocks were expected.

According to early information from the Skyros Municipality, the quake caused a crack in the dome of the Aghios Georgios (Saint George) Monastery on the island and in at least 60 older homes, according to the count as at 10:00 a.m., while a landslide of sections of rock from the old Castle damaged 20 parked cars.

Also, falling rocks damaged the island's water supply system, probably causing a crack at the source or along the pipeline resulting in the water running off into the sea and severely reducing the island's availability in potable water from 80 cubic meters per day to just six.

The Fire Brigade and the EMAK emergency rescue services in Athens and Thessaloniki were immediately placed on alert to provide assistance and transport local residents to safer ground if required, while public order minister Michalis Chrysohoidis and Fire Brigade chief Panayotis Fourlas left for Skyros at the first light of day.

Also heading to the island were a team of OASP anti-seismic protection agency experts and environment, town planning and public works ministry officials, headed by public works deputy minister Nasos Alevras, to record the damages.

Athens Geodynamic Institute director George Stavrakakis and seismology professor Vassilis Papazahos both said the trembler was the main quake, and called for calm as aftershocks continued.

Stavrakakis said it was fortunate that the quake's epicenter was below sea level, otherwise "there would have been consequences".

He also said that the earthquake was not expected to have activated other seismic faults.

Asked to comment on US seismic institute readings that placed the magnitude of the Skyros quake higher, at 6.3 Richter, Stavrakakis said he stood by the magnitude given by the Greek institutes, attributing the difference to the fact that the measurement by the foreign institutes was over immense distances, which allowed for errors.

Papazahos also said the earthquake was not expected to have activated other seismic faults.

Same measures for Skyros quake as in Athens, Laliotis says: The same support measures that applied in Attica during a highly destructive earthquake in 1999 would also apply for Skyros, Environment Minister Costas Laliotis said on Thursday.

The minister said that the latest damage reports for the island had revealed problems with some buildings, the road network and the island's water supply. He announced that a group of engineers from the Environment ministry (which is also in charge of town planning and public works) had left for the island and would stay for three weeks to record the damage.

Laliotis also refuted claims by Greek seismologist Vassilis Papazahos that he had predicted the earthquake, saying that no such prediction had been submitted to the environment ministry or to the scientific committee for assessing seismic risk.

Simitis expresses support for Skyros quake victims: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday expressed sympathy and support for earthquake victims on the Aegean island of Skyros, which was hit by a quake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale in the early hours of the morning.

Simitis made the statement after an inner cabinet meeting on the 3rd Community Support Framework (3rd CSF).

[03] Turkish PM sends message of sympathy for quake sufferers on Greek island of Skyros

ISTANBUL, 27/07/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

In a message to his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis, Ecevit expressed his personal sorrow and the solidarity of the Turkish people.

According to an announcement by the Turkish prime minister's office, Ecevit said in his message that Turkey is prepared to respond to any call for aid.

Greece and Turkey had rushed to each other's assistance in 1999 when killer earthquakes had struck in both neighboring countries.

At that time, an earthquake in Turkey in August killed thousands of people, while an earthquake in Greece in September killed 143 people.

[04] Greece concerned over FYROM develop-ments, Beglitis says

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis told a regular press briefing that the Greek government was "intensely concerned" about the developments in FYROM.

He said Greece "unequivocally condemns the Albanian extremists' practice of repeated violations of the truce and terrorization of the Slavomacedonian population of Tetovo", and welcomed as a "positive development" the agreement reached Wednesday between NATO and the Albanian forces for respect of the ceasefire.

Foreign minister George Papandreou was in constant contact with his EU counterparts and the political forces in FYROM, Beglitis continued, adding that last Friday Papandreou had a "lengthy contact" with FYROM prime minister Ljubco Georgievski, and conveyed to him a message from Greek premier Costas Simitis.

Questioned on the context of the message, Beglitis said it reaffirmed Greece's devotion to the principles of respect of international law, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

"The solution that is given must be in agreement with the orientations of the international community and the European Union and not enter the rationale of ethnic cleansing," the foreign ministry spokesman said.

He added that the climate created among extremist nationalist circles in FYROM concerned the Greek government, although it was not manifested against Greek concerns.

"These extremist elements of the Slavomacedonian population manifest anti-West sentiments, and they must be controlled by the Skopje government," Beglitis said.

He added that NATO's contacts, and more particularly those of the NATO secretary general's special envoy, with the Albanian extremists "does not constitute legitimization" of the extremists but were "necessary for agreement in order for the ceasefire to be respected".

Turning to press reports alleging differences of opinion between the foreign and national economy ministries concerning Balkan reconstruction, Beglitis said the reports "do not correspond with reality".

He explained that the foreign ministry had specific proposals concerning the distribution of the funds for the reconstruction of the Balkans, "but this does not mean there is a difference of opinion with the national economy ministry".

"Greece will meet its obligations to the fullest," Beglitis added.

[05] Turkish FM Cem to visit Greece in late autumn, Beglitis announces

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

"A visit to Athens by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem is being planned for late autumn," Beglitis told a regular press briefing.

Replying to press questions, Beglitis said there was "particular mobility" surrounding the Cyprus issue on the part of both the UN Secretary General and his special envoy on the issue, Alvaro de Soto.

He described as "positive" the reference to the Cyprus issue contained in the final communique issued by the G8, adding however that beyond the mobility, there was nothing specific, nor any indication of a timetable for the reopening of the intercommunal talks on Cyprus.

"If these talks are resumed, it goes without saying that they will start at the point where they were left off due to the Turkish Cypriot side," Beglitis said.

He added that there would definitely be contacts regarding the Cyprus issue on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

[06] Chrysohoidis testifies regarding alleged list of Genoa activists

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

In testimony to a Parliamentary Committee convened at the request of Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos, the minister underlined the government's sensitivity to "issues of democratic rights." He said his ministry, in collaboration with the Greek foreign ministry, would be lodging a demarche over the three busloads of Greek protestors that were refused entry into Italy.

According to Chrysohoidis, Greece had refused an Italian request for "close cooperation" ahead of the Genoa summit, much to the chagrin of Italian officials.

The minister also denied rumors of a visit to Greece by the chief of Italy's police, saying that an Italian anti-terrorism delegation had come for a regular visit made every 20 days in the framework of Greek-Italian police cooperation to fight narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration.

He confirmed a visit by three Greek police officers and a liaison to the International Operations Center in Italy, however, and said it was a useful experience in view of the EU summit in Thessaloniki in 2003.

Constantopoulos, meanwhile, has submitted copies of an agreement ostensibly signed by the foreign ministry on July 18 that calls for cooperation between EU law enforcement agencies for the control of demonstrations.

He raised the alarm over what he called "an international system of repression and exchange of information that is activated without controls and works in conjunction with paralegal databanks of personal information."

Responding, Chrysohoidis said the document represented conclusions included in the Common Action agreement signed in 1997 and that Greece was not obliged to provide information, since this ran counter to Greek legislation for the protection of personal data.

[07] PM says targets are growth, new social state and strengthening int'l position

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Simitis, who was speaking in view of his PASOK party's October congress, added that the three ingredients for growth are the country's membership in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Outlining "our country's safe and hopeful perspective which is guaranteed by the policy of PASOK", Simitis noted that "Greece will not turn back. Greece is proceeding with confidence towards the European future despite those who are hoping for the opposite."

The premier said PASOK was capable of correcting its mistakes with the interest of the Greek people as its guide, adding that it has and is applying a policy for the working Greek citizen of the European Union.

"We have and we are materializing a vision for a strong Greece in Europe's hard nucleus. For this reason, Greece should not lose the position it has already gained and neither should it stop obtaining all it can lay claim to," he said.

Simitis underlined that PASOK's steadfast and responsible policy enabled Greece to achieve the earmarking of unusually high resources for the 3rd CSF: 17.5 trillion drachmas by 2006, plus seven trillion for the support of farmers' incomes and agricultural production.

Referring to the Olympiad, Simitis said it constituted a historic, developmental and cultural leap for the country.

"This leap will take place and the government of PASOK guarantees it," he said.

[08] ND leader meets with Kastoria furriers, charges state of being indifferent to sector

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Representatives of the main opposition party and the Kastoria furriers, charged the government of being indifferent to their problems and underlined that although there have been assurances from the state which concern the rescheduling of their debts, their problems are still unresolved.

On Wednesday Kastoria furriers called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to look into rescheduling their debts, claiming this traditional industry was on the brink of collapse.

The furriers say that they have been hit hard by the banking practices concerning loans and debts, as well as by the political and economic crises in Russia.

Earlier in the week, more than 3,000 furriers blocked the prefecture and tax offices in protest against the national economy ministry's refusal to reschedule their debts to banks and to the state.

Later on Thursday, Karamanlis held a series of meetings with close associates to formulate the ND party line ahead of the International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki at HELEXPO in September, which is the traditional forum for the premier's state of the economy address.

[09] Theodorakis agrees to head committee for Yiaros monument

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The project was proposed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis during a visit to the island this week to commemorate the 27th anniversary since democracy was restored in Greece.

[10] Amendment allows state to sell majority of Hellenic Petroleum

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Under the amendment, the floor for the government's stake in the company, a heavily traded stock on the Athens Stock Exchange, would drop to 35 percent from 75 percent through a change in Hellenic Petroleum's statutes.

Earlier this month, the country's largest trade union umbrella group called on the government to scrap its plan to sell a fresh 15-30 percent stake in the firm, which would mean a loss of state control.

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 Minis-ter Yiannos Papantoniou and Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

Previously, Christodoulakis had said that the shares 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.

[11] Gov't to set up umbrella telecom firm for state utilities

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The new firm, to be named Alternative Telecoms Networks SA, will span the telecoms operations planned by the national railway, Athens trolleys, the Athens metro and the Athens and Piraeus Water Board, Verelis told a news conference.

The company, whose line of business will be leasing telecoms space to firms wanting to develop telecoms services, will seek a strategic operator to run operations, the minister said.

[12] Commission takes Greece to court over import duties on pharmaceuticals

BRUSSELS, 27/07/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The duties were levied due to quality controls by the National Pharmaceuticals Organization, but was seen as violating the free movement of goods within the European Union, following the customs union agreement.

According to the Commission's decision the importer paid the duties and thus they constitute a tax, which in turn constitutes a customs charge, which is forbidden in trade exchanges between member-states of the Union, based on articles 23 and 25 of the European Communities Treaty.

Furthermore, the Commission supported that levying duties on pharmaceutical products, originating in non-Union countries, is also in violation of the treaty as since 1968 the common customs duties levied on such products may not be unilaterally increased or changed by one member-state.

The Greek authorities did not respond, as they were obliged to, to the Commission's argument, which was issued in November, thus the Commission took the case to court.

[13] EU calls for end to Greek tax on foreign leisure boats

BRUSSELS, 27/07/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The warning will take the form of a 'reasoned opinion', which is the second stage of a process for reprimanding an EU member state that violates EU legislation. If Greece fails to make a satisfactory response within two months the Commission will then have the option of taking the case to the European Court of Justice.

The tax in question is imposed on private leisure boats of more than seven meters in length that are not permanently moored at a Greek port. It is payable each time a craft enters Greek waters and approaches a Greek port, marina or coast and is calculated on the basis of the boat's length. It is charged in addition to regular port fees and paid into a special coast guard account.

The Commission noted that a tax levied on crossing the borderline and not representing any sort of service received by the person being charged is equivalent to an import tax and contravenes the EU treaty. According to the Commission, the tax is illegal for both EU and third country craft.

[14] Gov't says no to blanket public sector demand for allowances

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Talks were underway with trade unions to see if some of the demands could be met, Drys told a news conference.

In addition, the government planned to devise a new pay scale that would emerge after consultations with a committee to be set up of government officials and trade unionists, he said.

Drys also said that spending and revenue in the budget were within target.

In the first half, revenue rose by 8.8 percent against a target of 8.0 percent, creating a surplus of 60 billion drachmas. Primary spending increased by 7.6 percent, lower than the government's target of 7.9 percent, he added.

[15] Services sector backs price stability for euro launch

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Deputy Development Minister Milena Apostolaki had called a meeting of the groups to secure their agreement.

Among professions represented at the meeting were lawyers, insurers and hoteliers.

[16] New highway interchange opens for Athens commuters

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Some 200,000 automobiles and 800,000 commuters use Kifissos Avenue daily, said Minister of Town Planning, Public Works and Environment, Costas Laliotis, who added that the Kifissos project is of tremendous social, economic and environmental importance. In August a further three kilometers are to be completed which would link Kifissos Avenue with Poseidonos Boulevard on the coast.

[17] Gap between rich and poor steady in 80s and 90s-OECD

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Quoting statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the minister said in a statement that the gap had not widened, in contrast with many other countries, despite a tight fiscal policy and economic stabilization measures over seven years.

[18] Slowdown in domestic industrial recovery

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Surveyed were data on 4,865 industrial enterprises, whose sales totalled 11,936.5 billion drachmas in 2000 from 9,522.8 billion drachmas in 1999, up 25.3 percent.

Net earnings before tax in the sample of firms were 792.8 billion drachmas in 2000, up 7.6 percent on a year earlier.

The rise in turnover stemmed from a real rise in output, confirmed by the industrial output indicator, which rose by 6.1 percent in 2000, the survey said.

[19] Santorini ranks as most popular island in Europe-poll

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The Greek National Tourism Organization said on Thursday that in the same poll, Crete ranked as fourth most popular island, followed by Rhodes in fifth place.

Santorini also came seventh among the most popular islands in the world, the only European island to rank among the category's top ten, the GNTO said in a statement.

[20] Stocks rise, break through resistance

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The Athens general share index gained 1.57 percent to end at 2,662.75 points, with turnover at 1.0 billion euros, including a block trade of 977.4 million euros, the acquisition of insurer Interamerican by Eureko of the Netherlands.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.41 percent higher; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.61 percent up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities gained 2.21 percent.

Advancers led decliners at 279 to 47 with 51 issues remaining unchanged.

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

Since then, the market has posted roller coaster closes day by day with players buying back into blue chips, and then small and medium sized paper.

The most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Space Hellas and Interamerican.

Equity futures outperform indices: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange ended higher on Thursday, outperforming the main market indices on which they are based.

Traded were 7,577 contracts on turnover of 52.5 million euros, traders said.

Bond prices mixed in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished mixed in 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 675 million euros (230.0 billion drachmas).

[21] 1,800 German youths to pay homage to victims of Nazi massacre in Kalavryta

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The youths are in Greece on an initiative organized by the German-based Hans Hoeffmann Youth Tourism Organization, following an invitation to the young people of Germany addressed by German President Johannes Rau, who expressed "grief and shame" over the Kalavryta massacre during his historical first visit by a German President to the town in April 2000.

More than 1,300 people, the entire over-16 male population of Kalavryta, was executed by Nazi forces on December 13, 1943 in reprisal against resistance groups' execution of 81 Nazi prisoners.

"I came here to keep the memory of this event alive in Germany. Here, at this place, I feel immense grief and shame. Only one who knows and accepts his past can find the path to a better future," Rau said at the time, while laying a wreath at a monument on the hill where the executions took place.

During the ceremony on Friday afternoon at the site of the mass executions, the German youths will lay 21,000 white and red carnations in the configuration of a blood-stained lamb "as a symbol of innocence and sacrifice", wishing to give a "message of peace, and against war and violence", a spokesman for the organizers of the event told ANA.

Later, a "friendly symbolic soccer match" between German and Kalavryta youths will be staged at the local stadium.

[22] US embassy hosts luncheon for Columbia U's quake research vessel visit

Athens, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

The "Ewing, a state-of-the-art seismic research vessel, is currently in the Gulf of Corinth undertaking a seismological survey sponsored by the National Observatory of Athens, the University of Hawaii and the Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris.

The project marks the first time in more than 25 years that an American research vessel has visited Greek waters and the collaboration between the three institutes, serves as a fine example of successful international cooperation in this important field.

The luncheon, noted the statement, will highlight the importance of future international cooperation in earthquake research, and include representatives from Aristotelian University in Thessaloniki, the Institute of Marine Geology in Bologna, Italy the University of Athens and Columbia as well as the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey.

All will be on hand to discuss the results of an international workshop on assessing future earthquake risk in the region.

The workshop is expected to take place in Thessaloniki between July 31 - August 1 and marks the beginning of a cooperative dialogue meant to help countries in the Aegean region deal with the pressing problem of earthquakes, the statement added.

[23] Angelopoulos may succeed Rogge in 2009, British columnist says

LONDON, 27/07/2001 (ANA)

Alan Hubbard in the article entitled "Angelopoulos, remember the name" argued Angelopoulos-Daskalaki made quite an poignant appearance at the recent IOC meeting in Moscow.

So impressive in fact, says the reporter, that she might just succeed Belgium's Jacques Rogge in 2009 as the next president of IOC.

"If Mrs. Angelopoulos becomes a member of the IOC, do not bet against her succeeding Jacques Rogge" commented the British columnist.

[24] Gov't will not concede to moves it does not agree with in UN talks

NICOSIA, 27/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The minister also said the government is ready to continue the UN peace process as this is defined by the terms of reference of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, based on UN resolutions. Invited to comment on moves indicating a change in the UN process, Kasoulides said after a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee "we are ready to continue this process from the point it stopped last November but we are not ready to accept anything on the substance of the Cyprus problem, that has not been formulated through the negotiations, at the negotiating table."

Asked if a possible change in the label of the talks from proximity to indirect would matter, the minister replied "if this does not signify any serious change, we are not going to see this as an obstacle."

What is important is to see the process continue within the parameters defined by the terms of reference of the UN Secretary General on the basis of UN resolutions, he added.

The minister's remarks come after indications from Turkey that a resumption of the peace talks is on the cards. Turkish premier Bulent Ecevit said it was necessary to continue the dialogue and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who backed by Ankara withdrew from the proximity talks last November, said he would meet Kofi Annan and then decide on returning to the negotiating table.

Denktash is said to have sent two critical letters to Ankara, firstly claiming it had made deals behind his back during talks with US officials in Brussels and secondly warning of likely failure of new talks, should these begin.

Invited to assess press reports about a possible rift between Turkey and Denktash, Kasoulides said the government is looking into "all eventualities", noting that the apparent divergence of views could be real, without ruling out the opposite.

Commenting on a Turkish press report about US-Turkey consultations on Cyprus, he said "we have been given assurances that there has been no consultations between Turkey and the US on the substance of the talks" and noted "consultations concern the procedure to be adopted so as to enable Denktash to return to the negotiating table."

"My understanding is that talks between Washington and Ankara did not concern the substance of the Cyprus question and it seems that Denktash is not pleased with the fact that his preconditions for a resumption of the dialogue have not been met," he explained.

[25] Turkish Cypriot politicians demand Cyprus solution, EU entry

NICOSIA, 27/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, Talat said what is important is the outcome of the peace talks and not simply their resumption. At the same time, the Turkish Cypriot politician called on the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the EU.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Patriotic Unity Movement Izet Itzian expressed support to the UN-led Cyprus talks and to the establishment of a federation on the island, in accordance with the high level agreements reached between the two communities in 1977 and 1979. He also fully backed Cyprus' entry into the EU.

[26] Cyprus to receive $15 million in US aid

NICOSIA, 27/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The Appropriations Act provides for "not less than 15 million of the funds appropriated should be made available for Cyprus to be used only for scholarships, administrative support of the scholarship program, bicommunal projects and measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities on Cyprus."

A similar bill is before the US Senate.

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