Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-08-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] KYSEA to name new Chief of Police Friday after resignation over Passaris fiasco

[02] Public works minister says 80 percent of Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki motorway ready at end of 2001

[03] ND accuses gov't of 'mortgaging future' with handouts policy

[04] US embassy hosts luncheon for Columbia University's quake research vessel visit in Piraeus

[05] EU warns Greece to comply with fuel specifications

[06] UK tourists to Greece seen rising

[07] Gov't to set up monitoring body for ferry traffic in 2002

[08] Athens water board to tender airport water supply deal

[09] Bourse entry prospectus okayed for northern water board

[10] Alpha Bank, Hellenic Technodomiki in Patras park project

[11] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise sharply

[12] Turkish immigrant smuggler fatally injured in encounter with Coast Guard

[13] Turkish foreign ministry expresses regret over Turkish citizen's death

[14] UN chief to meet Denktash

[15] Kasoulides holds talks with British High Commissioner

[01] KYSEA to name new Chief of Police Friday after resignation over Passaris fiasco

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

It was announced on Thursday that the KYSEA would meet under prime minister Costas Simitis to select a new Chief of Police to replace Lt.-Gen. Yannis Georgakopoulos, who tendered his resignation Wednesday to Public Order minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, shouldering the responsibility for a failed attempt to recapture Passaris, who has been on the run for six months.

Passaris managed to elude arrest shortly after midnight Tuesday when he entered the apartment of an accomplice in the Neos Kosmos residential district, where police were waiting for him, and was believed to have been injured when an officer shot a pistol out of the felon's hand as Passaris tried to shoot at police before he fled.

Police have been scouring the country for Passaris since he escaped in mid-February as he was being transported to the General State Hospital in Athens from Korydallos prison, where he was incarcerated, for medical tests. Two policemen escorting Passaris were fatally shot and an accompanying prison guard seriously injured in an ambush by two gun-toting accomplices of the convict inside the hospital.

After the KYSEA meeting, Simitis will depart for the island of Sifnos for his summer holiday.

The premier will be back in Athens for an August 23 Cabinet meeting on the education sector, after which he will tour the Argolis region and return for an August 28 meeting of the inter-ministerial commit-tee on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and a ruling PASOK central committee meeting on August 31 to finalize the policy platform he will propose at the party's Congress slated for October.

Passaris' accomplice charged under organized crime law: New laws for organized crime and terrorism were applied for the first time in Greece on Thursday in charges brought against 24-year-old Dimitris Polydoropoulos, an accomplice of escaped convict Costas Passaris.

Polydoropoulos later in the day requested and received a delay until Monday before giving his sworn statement before the eighth regular investigator.

Karamanlis slams government for Passaris second escape: New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis lashed out against the government on Thursday over a botched operation to recapture escaped convict Costas Passaris and hinted that the problems were a party political policy for promotions within the police force.

"The problems cannot be solved with the resignation of just one person," Karamanlis said during a meeting with members of his party and placed the blame for rising crime levels, including organized crime, squarely on the government's shoulders.

Commenting on the appointment of a new police chief by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) on Friday, the main opposition leader warned against the 'establishment' mentality which he said had governed PASOK's choices in the past.

He also noted that Georgakopoulos had been linked to the Niovis Street massacre (when police botched the handling of a hostage crisis), Passaris' initial escape from hospital six months ago and illegal naturalizations.

"Only when there is a government that has the political will and courage to stand up against organized crime will we get results and restore a sense of safety to the public," Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis too inexperienced to judge, says Hytiris: Deputy of Press and Mass Media Telemachos Hytiris, criticized main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday of continuing to blast the government for "everything imaginable."

Remarking on the comments made earlier in the day by Karamanlis who criticized the government for a botched police operation on Wednesday, Hytiris said that because of the lack of experience on the part of Karamanlis "he judges believing that he himself is not judged."

"The 'unbiased' Mr. Karamanlis does not recognize that over the past few years crime has reduced sharply and this is because of the government's policy in this sensitive area? The people understand what Mr. Karamanlis does not comprehend and do not generalize by reason of isolated circumstances."

[02] Public works minister says 80 percent of Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki motorway ready at end of 2001

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

According to information provided by Laliotis, 19 groups have already submitted proposals to undertake sections. Eight for the Skarfeia-Kleidi section, six for the Elefsina-Corinth-Patras section and five for the E65 motorway.

Referring to the E65 motorway, he said it would start from Lamia and reach the Egnatia motorway at the town of Grevena. It will have a length of 196 kilometers and will cost 300 billion drachmas. Work on the project will start in 2003 and will be completed in 2007.

Laliotis further said both the Lamia-Karpenisi-Agrinio and Lamia-Amfisa-Antirrio motorways are being studied, adding that sanctions will continue for substandard work.

[03] ND accuses gov't of 'mortgaging future' with handouts policy

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

"In view of the party processes for PASOK's congress the prime minister is slipping into a 'Simitis give everything' policy and mortgaging the future," Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis made the statements after a meeting with New Democracy's coordinators for the economy, manufacturing and trade and the party's economic advisors to discuss strategy in view of the Thessaloniki International Fair, where the prime minister traditionally makes a speech about economic policy every year.

ND's Economics Committee Coordinator George Alogoskoufis called the government irresponsible and said it had created huge problems in the economy, while he wondered where the government would find funds to carry out all the things it had pledged or implied it would do, especially for the poorer sections of society.

[04] US embassy hosts luncheon for Columbia University's quake research vessel visit in Piraeus

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

Scientists from Greece, the United States, Italy, France and Turkey participated in the luncheon to celebrate the visit of Columbia's Research Vessel "Maurice Ewing" and at the same tine help to promote international earthquake research cooperation.

The "Maurice Ewing", a state-of-the-art seismic research vessel, recently concluded a seismological survey in the Gulf of Corinth sponsored by the National Observatory of Athens, the University of Hawaii and the Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris, as well as the Thessaloniki University.

The project marks the first time in more than 25 years that an American research vessel has visited Greek waters and celebrates the collaboration between the three institutes.

The event also serves as a fine example of successful international cooperation in this important field, Susan Elliot, acting Economic Advisor of the United States embassy said.

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 the University of Hawaii, noted the importance of future international cooperation in earthquake research.

Also, the notes recorded at the two-day workshop that wrapped up in Thessaloniki last Thursday, and which included scientists from Italy, Greece and Turkey and other countries, was also discussed.

Participants also gained a better understanding on the manner in which plate tectonics in the region function as well as how they apply to assessing future earthquake.

Director of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Mike Purdy outlined the efforts of the scientific expedition, stressing that extensive research on rifts in the region may allow experts to predict future activity of plate tectonics with data collected from earth matter.

Thessaloniki University Prof. Eleftheria Papadimitriou stressed the importance of the workshop proceedings, which focus on ways to benefit society, saying "if we are to make progress in protecting society from earthquake disasters, we must understand the very basis of tectonic activity in the Aegean, the Marmara, and the surrounding areas".

The formation of four-nation seismic research cooperation, transpired in September 2000, on the sidelines of the UN Millennium Summit.

A memorandum of cooperation was simultaneously signed which sealed the collaboration effort, while a recent meeting between Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Kusadasi reaffirmed that it would proceed as arranged.

During a press conference that followed, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory director, Prof. Mike Purdy, noted that the northern Aegean area is a highly seismic region, adding that there exists construction and other techniques that could be applied to ameliorate the disastrous consequences of possible earthquakes in this region.

"We believe that the best way of determining these techniques is through the application of a cooperation and coordinated research program, among research institutes, such as ours, with similar institutes in Italy, Greece and Turkey," said Purdy.

"Our earth knows no political boundaries. The cooperation between researchers from Italy, Greece, Turkey and the US, which is presented today, is invaluable."

He said that the scientific problems related to seismic activity are too vast and too complex and certainly require the expertise of all the specialists.

"In order to make progress, we must coordinate and cooperation," he added.

Professor Art Lerner-Lam said that the Northern Anatolia Fault, that extends from Turkey to the northern Aegean, and area, which gave way to the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, is quite similar to the San Andreas Fault in California and responsible for most of the seismic phenomena in the northern Aegean.

He based his theory on a section of the Northern Anatolia fault, which he added, runs beneath the Sea of Marmara and the northern Aegean.

Lerner-Lam said that direct observation and charting of the fault by geologists was extremely difficult, and consequently the countries located around the area provided a "natural laboratory" for studying the fault.

The Maurice Ewing vessel is now scheduled to depart for the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal, on its quest for a global understanding of earthquakes.

[05] EU warns Greece to comply with fuel specifications

BRUSSELS, 03/08/2001 (ANA / M. Spinthourakis)

An EU directive containing the technical specifications based on health and environmental considerations for gasoline and diesel have yet to incorporated into Greek national law, the Commission said in a statement on Thursday.

The warning the Commission will send to Greece, Italy, Austria and the United Kingdom is the last stage before recourse to the European Court, the statement added.

[06] UK tourists to Greece seen rising

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

In 2002, a 5.0 percent rise on 2001 is expected, GNTO said in a statement.

[07] Gov't to set up monitoring body for ferry traffic in 2002

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

Papoutsis made the statements in Hania, where he had begun a two-day visit to Crete to inspect the island's harbors and confer with local officials.

The minister said that there would have to be investments in the country's port and harbor infrastructure before passenger ship-ping deregulation. He said projects were in the wings for the harbors of Souda, Kissamos and Sfakia, as well as for a shelter for tourist craft on Gavdos, which would be funded by the 3rd Community Support Framework.

Papoutsis is to visit Rethymno and Iraklio on Friday.

ND blames government for frequent malfunctions and delays in passenger ships: Main opposition New Democracy party merchant marine department spokesman Manolis Varvitsiotis on Thursday blamed the government for frequent malfunctions and delays in passenger ships.

He said the transfer of Athens airport to Spata created great expectations for an increase in traffic from and to the port of Piraeus, which were indeed confirmed, since a 30 percent increase occurred in passenger traffic from the country's biggest port.

Varvitsiotis said the advantage of the increase in traffic is in danger of being lost by continuous malfunctions and delays taking place and which result in inconvenience for tens of thousands of holidaymakers.

In June and July alone, he added, malfunctions registered in passenger ships were over 40 and are substantively becoming an "Achilles Heal" for sea transport.

[08] Athens water board to tender airport water supply deal

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

A study for the project, budgeted at about 1.0 billion drachmas, and the tender's documents were approved by the company's board on Thursday.

The 6,630-metre pipeline will link an existing pipeline in the municipality of Spata to Gate 3 at the airport. The deadline for construction is eight months.

[09] Bourse entry prospectus okayed for northern water board

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

On sale as part of the government's privatization drive are 1,500,000 new common registered shares and 2,700,000 existing shares, of which 200,000 are destined for private placement.

[10] Alpha Bank, Hellenic Technodomiki in Patras park project

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

The project will be handled by a subsidiary of Hellenic Technodomiki, Techno SA, that will receive project finance of 16.8 million euros from Alpha Bank, the country's largest private bank and a blue chip on the Athens bourse.

The Veso Mare park to be built near the sea will include cinemas, restaurants and an underground car park.

[11] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise sharply

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

The general share index gained 1.84 percent to end at 2,791.11 points. Turnover was 186.9 million euros, including block trades of 13.6 million euros.

The market has been trying to consolidate after breaking through key resistance at 2,640 points last week.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.90 percent higher; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 2.76 percent up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities gained 2.57 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Klonatex, Alpha Bank, Doudos and ETBAbank.

Bond prices drop in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.40 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.1 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Equity futures end mixed: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange ended mixed on Thursday with robust sentiment on the main market containing a discount on derivatives, traders said.

The discount was mainly curbed on August deals, and September contracts showed a small premium, the traders said.

[12] Turkish immigrant smuggler fatally injured in encounter with Coast Guard

Athens, 03/08/2001 (ANA)

A ministry official told ANA that a harbor corps patrol boat spotted a Turkish speedboat, with its navigation lights switched off, heading back to Turkey at about 5:00 a.m.

The speedboat's captain ignored repeated calls by the patrol boat and "to ram it, making dangerous maneuvers that endangered the lives of the patrol boat crew", forcing the patrol to fire warning shots in the air, the official added.

When the speedboat continued trying to ram the inflatable patrol boat, the coastguards shot at the speedboat's engine to immobilize the Turkish vessel, the ministry official said.

He said that the speedboat's captain and only crew member, identified as Oktay Delictas, 23, was found by the patrol during a search of the Turkish vessel, seriously injured, and was rushed to the island's hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The nine illegal immigrants, all Iraqi nationals, were detained, and told harbor authorities that they had paid 2,500 US dollars each to be transported to Greece.

[13] Turkish foreign ministry expresses regret over Turkish citizen's death

ANKARA, 03/08/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

An announcement by the Turkish foreign ministry terms the incident unacceptable and adds that representations to Greek authorities are continuing.

It further says that "this fatal act is unacceptable whatever the conditions of the incident may be and the excuse made."

"We are watching developments closely and we are in contact with the Greek authorities," the announcement added.

[14] UN chief to meet Denktash

NEW YORK, 03/08/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Following the meeting, Special Advisor for the Cyprus issue to the Secretary-General, Alvaro de Soto is going to travel to the divided island where he will be received by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and later with Denktash.

[15] Kasoulides holds talks with British High Commissioner

NICOSIA, 03/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a 90-minute long meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Clay expressed regret over the loss of time since last November, when Denktash interrupted the talks, and said London has been working for the resumption of the talks and hopes they will be constructive.

"British diplomacy has regretted the six or seven months that have been lost since last November and if what we hear about the resumption of the process is true, then we very much welcome it," Clay, who leaves the island soon to take up his post in Kenya, told journalists.

He said Britain has been working for the resumption of the UN peace process and hopes the talks will resume and be constructive.

Replying to questions, he said the talks essentially concern the UN, President Clerides and Denktash and London's hopes "are vested in those three."

Clay said the Turkish Cypriot leader had explained his views on the UN process and the possible resumption of the talks on a number of occasions.

Last year Denktash, backed by Ankara, declared the UN proximity talks dead and a waste of time, saying he will not return to the negotiating table unless his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus is recognized by the international community. He announced that he would meet with UN Secretary General

Kofi Annan but neither the time nor the venue of the meeting has been made public yet.

Questioned on the continuing consultations between Cyprus and Britain, with regard to British plans to erect a new 100-metre high telecommunications antenna on the island, Clay said the dialogue is "proceeding constructively."

He said experts continue to measure the electromagnetic emissions from existing antenna at the Salt Lake, near Akrotiri, where Britain maintains one of the two military bases it has retained since 1960 when Cyprus became an independent state.

"I had a very constructive dialogue with the minister to tackle the issues that have arisen in the respective project," he said, adding that London and Nicosia proceed "by agreement, not disagreement."

British plans for a new antenna sparked violent protests last month in Akrotiri which resulted in some 30 people being injured and many vehicles being burnt. Local residents fear the antenna would entail health and environmental risks.

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