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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-09-06

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

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

September 6, 2001

CONTENTS

  • [01] President Clerides accepts invitation by UN chief resume of peace talks on Cyprus
  • [02] Optimistic dynamic in Cyprus issue for first time, FM says during Nicosia visit
  • [03] Ankara supports Denktash's refusal to participate in UN talks for Cyprus
  • [04] Europarliament approves Poos proposed resolution on Cyprus' entry to the Union
  • [05] Greek FM lauds Europarliament's approval of Poos resolution on Cyprus
  • [06] PM, health minister discuss reforms in the health sector
  • [07] Commissioners Byrne & Fischler to visit Greece
  • [08] Memorial service for Kranidiotis this weekend on Cyprus
  • [09] Bank of Greece unveils plan for switch to euro from drachma
  • [10] Axon seen committing to buyout of Olympic Airways Thursday
  • [11] Greek economy's dynamism based on SMEs, Simitis says
  • [12] GSEE president refers to government's package of measures
  • [13] Main opposition leader meets SEB president
  • [14] Cost to restore damage from 1999 quake to exceed 600 bln Dr
  • [15] Opposition wants action over feared energy shortage
  • [16] Greek stocks fall below 2,700 level
  • [17] Hundreds of migrants abandoned on Evia
  • [18] Symposium to be held in Athens and Ancient Olympia
  • [19] Patriarch to open Plovdiv event, meet with Bulgarian leaders
  • [20] New ELIAMEP edition on Kosovo crisis

  • [01] President Clerides accepts invitation by UN chief resume of peace talks on Cyprus

    NICOSIA 06/09/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    The UN has secured the participation of President Glafcos Clerides in next week's resumption of talks but is still awaiting a reply from Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto said here today, who called for "flexibility, real work, spirit of compromise and political will" to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome.

    The Peruvian diplomat announced at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the end of his eight-day trip to Cyprus that on behalf of the Secretary General he had conveyed invitations to Clerides and Denktash for separate meetings with Anan on September 12, in New York, "to resume the search for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, under the Secretary General's auspices.

    "Alvaro de Soto also said he had given the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides "some ideas to accelerate and intensify" the peace process, and referred to a "new and reinvigorated phase" of the Secretary General's good offices mission.

    The high ranking UN official said that Annan is and will continue to be guided by the four principles set out in Security Council resolution 1250 (no preconditions, all issues on the table, continuous negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement and taking into consideration all relevant resolutions and treaties) adding that discussion of preconditions is not on the cards.

    He said the UN seeks to draft binding detailed legal texts within the comprehensive settlement that would leave nothing to be negotiated, and said either side to the talks can bring "reasonable proposals and suggestions" to the negotiating table. Replying to questions, De Soto said Anna's statement to the two sides on 12 September 2000 and his oral remarks to them of 8 November" still stand", and explained that the statement of the 12th marked" the end of the stage of preparing the ground, and we would hope to see meaningful negotiations in New York and beyond.

    "Invited to say if there had been any change in position of the two sides, he replied "if the SG had not taken the steps that he has recently taken, if he did not have hoped for the future of talks and for getting them back on track, he would not have taken the steps that he has done, including his meeting in Salzburg (with Denktash) and my coming here."

    "As far as the SG is concerned, he has been and will continue to be guided by the principles laid out by resolution 1250," he told the press. Asked if the two sides have already replied to Annan's invitation for talks, he said President Clerides has signified "his readiness to come to New York" but Mr. Denktash has yet to respond, adding that he had not pressed either leader for an immediate response but one would be needed very soon.

    Invited to say if he has managed to accommodate Denktash's preconditions and allay the concerns of the Greek Cypriot side that there should not be any substantive changes to the process, he said that taking into account the principles laid down by Security Council,

    "I do not think it would be appropriate to discuss preconditions and whether any have been accepted at all."

    "We expect both sides to be committed to the overall goal of a comprehensive settlement but it is clear there is considerable distance between the publicly stated positions of the two sides," he said and called for "flexibility, real work, spirit of compromise and political will in order to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome, which must be fair and viable.

    "Our task, he stressed, is "to draft binding detailed legal texts within the comprehensive settlement, addressing all the real issues and leaving nothing to be negotiated subsequently", repeating his long standing position that" nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

    "Replying to questions on the time constraints of next week's talks, he said a lot can be achieved in a short time if there is "concentrated work and willingness to push ahead."

    "We have in fact put to the two sides some ideas as to how to accelerate and intensify the process in order to translate into reality the idea that it should be a new and reinvigorated phase and would like to continue discussing that with them," he said, but would not disclose the response of either side to these ideas.

    Replying to questions, he said common ground will be developed in the process of negotiating specific legally binding texts, noting that the UN has to be open to fresh ideas as well as borrow from work already done in the past. Invited to say if talks aimed at a new partnership, he said Annan's statement of 12 September said that talks would bring "a new partnership, a laudable goal and we hope the two sides will join in an effort to give it legal form.

    "On the question of respect of human rights in Cyprus and within the terms of a settlement, de Soto said the UN does not want to foreclose, nor does it have much power to do so, the right of either side to bring forward "reasonable proposals and suggestions in the course of negotiations."

    "We earnestly hope what we will see discussed in the negotiations is not so much their publicly stated positions as their underlying interests, concerns and fears," he concluded.

    [02] Optimistic dynamic in Cyprus issue for first time, FM says during Nicosia visit

    NICOSIA 06/09/2001 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

    An optimistic dynamic has been created in the Cyprus issue for the first time, Greek foreign minister George Papandreou said late Tuesday in Nicosia.

    "For the first time, and given the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, a new optimistic dynamic has been created for the first time on the Cyprus issue," Papandreou told a special late-night program on state television RIK titled "The hour of truth for Cyprus' future".

    Papandreou, who Wednesday concludes a two-day visit to Cyprus for talks with the government and political party leaders, explained that in all his contacts with Turkish political officials he notes that Cyprus must be rendered "an example of cooperation and friendship" because "it is unacceptable that Athens and Ankara proceed to any cooperation while a part of Cyprus remains under (Turkish) occupation".

    "Turkey is fully aware that its way to Europe passes through Cyprus," the Greek FM added.

    He said that the prospect of Cyprus' EU accession "weakens every argument by Turkey that the Cyprus problem was solved in 1974 (with the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island republic), and also creates a framework of security for the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike".

    "With its EU accession, the entire European Union and international community will be behind Cyprus, while at the same time the three fundamental freedoms -- which are the basis of the EU's rationale -- are also consolidated," Papandreou said.

    He said it was his belief that it had been made clear to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish officials by numerous EU commissioners they have met with that the European Union could not sit around awaiting his decisions when millions of citizens from many countries that were slated to join the EU in 2002-2003 were expecting Cyprus' accession.

    "We would be very pleased if there is a frank effort, on Denktash's part, to try to ensure certain matters, but within the framework of the United Nations resolutions and the framework of the EU rationale. We would consider that a great historic moment and it would help the Turkish Cypriots themselves as well as the relationship between Greece and Turkey" he added.

    Turning to Greece's policy on Turkey, Papandreou described it as "the most aggressive policy followed by the country in recent years".

    "I would be very easy for us to just sit around and accuse the other side, but such a policy would give the international community the impression that it was very difficult for Greeks and Turks to come to terms with each other and even more difficult for it to deal with a Cyprus solution," he explained.

    Papandreou discussed the legal aspect of Cyprus' EU accession on Tuesday with Cyprus General Prosecutor Alecos Markides.

    He told reporters after the meeting it was very important to keep constantly abreast of the legal aspects of both the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' accession course, as the course to EU membership also influenced the efforts for a Cyprus solution and the "acquis communautaire" must not be violated in resolving the Cyprus issue, while for the EU to accept the solution reached, that solution must be in line with the acquis communautaire.

    Markides noted that while the Cyprus issue was a political problem, it was nevertheless linked with immense legal issues of international law and human rights.

    UN mediator works to resume proximity talks despite Denktash intransigence: Visiting Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou was briefed by the island republic’s leadership on Wednesday over the latest efforts made by UN mediator Alvaro de Soto regarding the long-standing Cyprus problem, reiterating Athens’ determination as far as the island’s future is concerned.

    The reference to de Soto was significant, as the UN general secretary’s special mediator initially announced on Wednesday that stalled proximity talks between the two sides on the east Mediterranean island would resume on Sept. 12 in New York, following his contacts and invitations to Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

    While Clerides has accepted the invitation, de Soto said, Denktash later noted at a press conference in occupied Nicosia a few hours later that there is “no common ground” for resumption of proximity talks.

    “… on our part, we say that there is no common ground, despite the statements by Alvaro de Soto,” he added.

    Papandreou: In his earlier comments, Papandreou emphasized that Cyprus’ European Union accession course was proceeding smoothly, with the island republic comfortably among the frontrunners for entry into the 15-nation bloc.

    “Our concerns because of the Turkish side’s intransigence are justified,” he added.

    On his part, Kasoulides cautioned against lending weight to hypothetical scenarios vis-a-vis statements by Denktash.

    Papandreou also spoke with a delegation of protesting students, who rallied outside the presidential mansion in Nicosia at the same time Clerides was meeting with the Greek foreign minister. The protesters focused on what they called the oxymoron of promoting Greek-Turkish friendship while a third of Cyprus remained under Turkish military occupation.

    “Greece’s policy aims at the solution of the Cyprus problem with the most effective manner,” Papandreou was quoted as telling the Cypriot students. He also clarified that he refers to and promotes “friendship among peoples” and not friendship with the occupation forces, adding that he believes this policy will bear fruit.

    [03] Ankara supports Denktash's refusal to participate in UN talks for Cyprus

    ANKARA 06/09/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    The Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday came out in support of Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash, who refused to participate in the effort to renew proximity peace talks on the Cyprus problem in New York on Sept. 12, where he was invited by UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

    A press release issued by the Turkish foreign ministry stated that "it has become understood that the continued contacts did not succeed in formulating, until now, the necessary preconditions ... We find Mr. Denktash's request just.

    The press release also expressed the hope that the UN efforts on the problem continue.

    [04] Europarliament approves Poos proposed resolution on Cyprus' entry to the Union

    STRASBOURG 06/09/2001 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

    European Parliament's plenum on Wednesday approved with an overwhelming majority a resolution favoring Cyprus' membership application to the EU and describing the state of Cyprus-EU negotiations as satisfactory.

    The resolution, drafted by Eurodeputy Jacques Poos, passed with 505 votes in favor, while 31 Eurodeputies voted against it and 29 abstained.

    Poos, who vigorously defended the resolution, was especially satisfied as the vote defused the negative climate that the Turkish foreign ministry attempted to create by accusing him of inaccuracies and lack of objectivity.

    The resolution stressed that if Turkey were to carry out its threat of annexing northern Cyprus to mainland Turkey in response to Cypriot accession to the EU it would put an end to its own ambitions of European Union membership.

    Specifically, the Eurodeputies warned that "if Turkey were to carry out its threat of annexing the north of Cyprus in response to Cypriot accession to the EU and to proclaim the northern part as its 82nd province in clear breach of international law, it would put an end to its own ambitions of European Union member-ship."

    The resolution reiterated "the wholehearted support of the European Parliament for the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find a comprehensive and rapid solution and for his longstanding view that any acceptable solution must be based on international law, asset out in the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council.

    Eurodeputies also expressed their support for the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council "whereby resolution of the Cyprus question is not a prerequisite for accession" and endorsed unreservedly the position that there is no possibility of separate negotiations with the two parts of the island, and no question either of accession for two Cypriot states or of accession of the northern part of the island upon Turkish accession.

    "It expresses the Parliament's satisfaction with the progress made by Cyprus in the accession negotiations, notes that to date, 23 out of 29 chapters have been provisionally closed and stresses that Cyprus" may therefore expect to accede to the European Union rapidly," the resolution stated.

    The resolution added that Cyprus is at the vanguard of the 12 candidate member -states to the Union, clarifying that "the Republic of Cyprus is the only state that represents all of the island, it satisfies fully the political and economic criteria of Copenhagen, it has made significant progress in the sector of having received approvals for the acquis communautaire and thus it may hope for the speedy accession to the Union".

    The Christian Democrats proposed an amendment to the previous paragraph adding "to the measure of its abilities, (given the division of the island)", which was placed right after the word "Copenhagen".

    The resolution also stated that "the responsible political leaders of the Cypriots should use conciliatory tones when referring to the other community, while they actions should be taken immediately to end the economic isolation of the northern part (of the island republic), which is in dire condition".

    [05] Greek FM lauds Europarliament's approval of Poos resolution on Cyprus

    NICOSIA 06/09/2001 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

    The approval of the Poos resolution on Cyprus by the Europarliament was a very positive event, visiting Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said.

    He added that he considered this development a positive one, despite the fact that he has not yet reviewed it in detail.

    Papandreou noted that the approval of the resolution shows that the Cyprus problem has become part of the European engrossment and an issue to resolve for Europe itself.

    This was an aim of the Greek government policy, he added.

    He stressed that the Europarliament has a tradition of objectivity and adherence to international law.

    [06] PM, health minister discuss reforms in the health sector

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday discussed with Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos the priorities concerning reforms in the health sector.

    Papadopoulos said that following the meeting he had on Monday with directors of regional health councils, the councils will be supervised from September 18 in the Attica region, Thessaloniki, Crete and Epirus. He added that by October 15 nearly all the regional health councils in the country will start operating.

    The health minister told journalists that there were still reactions concerning reforms in the National Health System (ESY) but that the government was determined to proceed dynamically as it was its priority to serve the citizens on health issues.

    [07] Commissioners Byrne & Fischler to visit Greece

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    European Commissioner on health and consumer protection David Byrne will arrive in Athens on Monday, as part of his European Union wide tour to brief citizens on the hygiene and quality of foodstuffs.

    Byrne will meet with Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis, Health and Welfare Alekos Papadopoulos and will participate in a round table discussion, organized by Byrne himself and Commissioner on Agriculture and Fisheries Franz Fischler.

    Fischler will arrive in Athens on Saturday at the invitation of Anomeritis to participate at the inauguration of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

    [08] Memorial service for Kranidiotis this weekend on Cyprus

    NICOSIA 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    The Social Democrats Movement of Cyprus will hold a memorial service on Sunday for Yannos Kranidiotis, the Greek alternate foreign minister that died in a plane accident two years ago.

    The service will be held at the Aghios Prokopios Cathedral within the Kykkou monastery dependency.

    Greece’s ambassador to Nicosia, among others, will attend the event.

    [09] Bank of Greece unveils plan for switch to euro from drachma

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Greece's central bank on Wednesday unveiled its action plan to introduce the euro as a physical currency on January 1, 2002, and phase out the drachma.

    Euro coins will be released to commercial banks on October 1 and to companies in November. Distribution of the country's total 617 million banknotes in the new currency begins in December, Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos told a presentation.

    The drachma, which is to circulate in parallel with the euro until February 28, 2002, when it ceases to be legal tender, will be redeemable into euro banknotes for the next ten years and coins for the next two years, Papademos said.

    As part of a publicity campaign for the eurozone's single currency, the central bank will hold a seminar on October 17 with the governor of the European Central Bank (ECB), Wim Duisenberg, as the keynote speaker.

    The Greek action plan is part of a campaign devised by the ECB for use in the euro zone's other member countries, which are also to phase out their national currencies.

    Beyond providing information about the euro's introduction and conversion into the drachma, the publicity drive also aims to aid the public, police force and cashiers in banks and companies to recognize counterfeit notes using a five-point checklist

    The central bank will also distribute free games and leaflets to schools through the education ministry to help teachers familiarize their pupils with the new cash.

    In addition, the Bank of Greece has produced a leaflet on the euro that will be distributed to all households. The leaflet is available in 23 languages for use by non-Greek nationals residing in the country.

    Also on Wednesday, the national economy ministry sent a bill to parliament setting out the terms of the euro's introduction.

    [10] Axon seen committing to buyout of Olympic Airways Thursday

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Axon Airlines of Greece, the frontrunner in a tender to privatize Olympic Airways, is expected to make the government a binding offer on Thursday for acquisition of a majority holding in the ailing national carrier, industry sources said.

    The two government officials handling the privatization - Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou - on Wednesday briefed leaders of the Federation of Civil Aviation Unions on the acquisition talks.

    The ministers reportedly told the trade unionists that every effort would be made to retain jobs in the sale. They did not rule out a voluntary retirement program for the airline, financed by the state.

    The government's consultant in the sale, Credit Suisse First Boston, had recommended Axon as the leading candidate among the tender's four bidders.

    Negotiations, which have so far lasted about two months, are being conducted by a committee comprising representatives of the state's Council of Law, the tender's consultants, and the ministries of national economy and transport.

    Negotiations may continue after the government has studied the binding letter if it feels that the terms of the offer can be improved, the sources said.

    If the offer is deemed unsatisfactory, then the government will begin talks with two of the other bidders - Cyprus Airways and Integrated Airline Solutions of Australia - that will include a check on whether the consortiums' finances are sound and that their members are still committed.

    The acquisition carries two main conditions - that no jobs will be lost and that the airline's financial viability will be assured.

    The extended deadline for bids was June 18, and four groups submitted separate offers - Axon Airlines SA, Golden Aviation Services (the Restis shipping group), Integrated Airline Solutions of Australia, and Cyprus Airways.

    Integrated Airline Solutions, which had pulled out of the tender, as it could not meet the original deadline, returned to the bidding due to the extension.

    Credit Suisse First Boston has said that the bids should meet the following criteria set by the government:

  • Olympic Airways should operate mainly as an airline after its privatization; retain its logo for a specified period of time; and use the Eleftherios Venizelos airport as the main base for its aircraft

  • The privatized firm should have the financial strength and administrative capacity to post growth as a financially viable company with long-term prospects

  • Risks and commitments for the state and for companies that remain part of the Olympic Airways Group should be minimized after restructuring

  • The transaction should ensure the greatest possible financial benefit for the state.

    [11] Greek economy's dynamism based on SMEs, Simitis says

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Greek economy's dynamism is based on the activity of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Prime Minister Costas Simitis told the chairman of Greece's manufacturers' union, George Motsos on Wednesday.

    Motsos briefed the prime minister on the problems facing SMEs, and in particular their heavy tax burden and stressed that a new tax draft bill should focus on promoting growth.

    SMEs should be offered tax incentives when creating new jobs, Motsos said and asked the prime minister to decide lowering the tax scale and for equal treatment of cooperatives with personal companies.

    Mr. Simitis has started a round of consultations with representatives from all employers' and employees' groups ahead of the delivery of the government's economic policy speech in Thessaloniki on Saturday.

    [12] GSEE president refers to government's package of measures

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos, in reference to the new package of measures announced by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, on Wednesday night said during a meeting of the plenary of the board of GSEE that "those who speak of crumbs serve specific party expediencies."

    He added that "the same applies for those who declare that they are absolutely satisfied by the government's announcements."

    Polyzogopoulos said that GSEE's priorities were to intensify the efforts of the trade union movement for redistribution of income in favor of the working people and pensioners through tax reform and the signing of a satisfactory National Collective Labor Agreement.

    In reference to the holding of rallies during the inauguration of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF) this weekend, the GSEE president said that the institution of the TIF needed upgrading and development. He noted, however, that "demonstrations may take place, but in no instance will the trade union movement be drawn into them."

    Polyzogopoulos also referred to the major matters concerning the trade union movement and GSEE's program of action, which include unemployment, the public offering of shares through the Athens Stock Exchange of public enterprises, labor relations and the social security issue.

    [13] Main opposition leader meets SEB president

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis met on Wednesday with the president of the Association of Greek Industries (SEB), Lefteris Antonakopoulos. Antonakopoulos termed as positive Prime Minister Costas Simitis' announcements on social measures and clarified that what was important was how these measures will be implemented.

    Antonakopoulos added that it is necessary for tax reform to be made and accepted the social policy adopted by the government, providing it did not harm the functioning of the economy and of the market.

    Karamanlis, in reply to the government's attacks against his party, clarified that the ND was confronting with seriousness the issue of the economy and made clear that his party will not compete with the government over grants.

    [14] Cost to restore damage from 1999 quake to exceed 600 bln Dr

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis announced on Wednesday that the deadline for the submission of applications for the repair and reconstruction of buildings, which were damaged in the Athens earthquake of September 7, 1999, has been extended for a further eight months, that is, until April 30, 2002.

    Laliotis said that to date funds for the restoration of the damages caused by the earthquake have amounted to 300 billion drachmas, while the total cost would exceed 600 billion drachmas.

    [15] Opposition wants action over feared energy shortage

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party said on Wednesday that the government needed to take action in the energy sector in order to avert a shortage expected in 2004, the year that Athens will host the Olympic Games.

    A shortfall of 600 megawatts has been forecast by the state's Energy Regulatory Authority, even if power plants still on the design board are built by then, Athanasios Nakos, ND's development spokesman, said in a statement.

    The government is gradually issuing licenses to companies that have applied to build power plants in the country's newly liberated electricity market. The Public Power Corporation formerly held a monopoly in the sector.

    Nakos asked the government to remember the pledges it had made that deregulation would bring new investments, job creation, healthy competition and low prices to benefit consumers and the economy.

    [16] Greek stocks fall below 2,700 level

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Equity prices fell for the sixth consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday, undermined by a negative climate in international markets, lack of liquidity and worries over future economic developments in the domestic market.

    The general index ended 1.36 percent lower at 2,680.99 points, with turnover a low 125 million euros, or 42.6 billion drachmas.

    Sector indices suffered heavy losses, with Publishing (-3.17%), IT solutions (-3.10%) and Holdings (-2.32%) leading the decline.

    The blue chip FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 1.02 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 fell 1.92 percent and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP index dropped 2.18 percent.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 310 to 32.

    Equity futures finish down again: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Wednesday ended lower, matching a weak performance on the main market. Players were discounting a further decline on the underlying market, traders said.

    Changing hands were 4,435 contracts on turnover of 32.5 million euros, the traders said.

    Prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in active trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

    The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.37 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 47 basis points.

    Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.3 billion euros.

    Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

    [17] Hundreds of migrants abandoned on Evia

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Hundreds of illegal immigrants were disembarked by migrant-smugglers on the northeast coast of Evia early Wednesday, with scores subsequently taken to a local indoor gymnasium.

    Authorities announced that 185 migrants, including 13 women and 12 children, were part of a larger group of an estimated 350 Kurds and Afghanis disembarked on the large Greek island's coast near the town of Mandoudi in the early morning hours by a motor ship, believed to be Turkish, which transported them to Greece from the Turkish coast.

    The ministry said that only one man from the group, showing signs of exhaustion, had been taken to hospital in Halkidiki.

    The small motor ship was later found abandoned off the northern Evia coast of Mantoudi, and Coast Guard officials found food and water -- with Turkish brand names -- in the hold.

    The ministry could not confirm earlier media reports that the bodies of five illegal immigrants had washed up on shore.

    It said that Coast Guard and Navy vessels were scouring the sea, while police were combing the area on land, aided by a Super Puma helicopter, to locate more illegal immigrants and possibly the motor ship's captain and crew.

    Gov't: In later statements, the government spokesman said Greek services were doing everything in their capacity to care for the migrants, while he emphasized that Turkish authorities have in the past contributed to taking back migrants that entered Greek and EU-territory from Turkey.

    "What we have to do is increase security on our sea borders in order to prevent illegal entry into Greece, however, when we're faced with such instances we do whatever is possible, based on the respect of human dignity," spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

    On his part, Merchant Marine minister Christos Papoutsis said it was inconceivable that Turkey, which was seeking "a place in the European family", was not taking measures to prevent illegal migration.

    [18] Symposium to be held in Athens and Ancient Olympia

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced on Wednesday that an international symposium entitled "We are thinking again about civilization", will be held in Athens and Ancient Olympia from September 20-23.

    The sessions of the symposium will be addressed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the Zappeion Mansion at 9.30 a.m. on September 20.

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will also be present.

    The international symposium is the first major symposium of the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympiad.

    The culture minister said that the symposium essentially concerned the ideological and political start of the Cultural Olympiad. He added that full program of 2001-2004 Cultural Olympiad will be announced on September 25.

    Taking part in the symposium will be 50 celebrities from the sector of culture.

    [19] Patriarch to open Plovdiv event, meet with Bulgarian leaders

    ISTANBUL 06/09/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos departs for Bulgaria on Wednesday to inaugurate an international conference entitled “Byzantine Cultural Heritage and the Balkans” on Thursday.

    The Patriarch will also meet with Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov and Bulgarian Patriarch Maximos in Plovdiv, where the conference will be held.

    Afterwards, he will be received by new Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburgotski in Sofia, as the two men are set to open a conference in the Bulgarian capital entitled “Changing Education Policy in the Balkans”.

    The Sofia event is jointly organized by the EU’s Belgian presidency and the “Vlatadon Initiative”, which was established by the Orthodox Church’s bureau to the European Union.

    [20] New ELIAMEP edition on Kosovo crisis

    Athens 06/09/2001 (ANA)

    A new edition by the Athens-based Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), focusing on the Kosovo crisis, is set to be released in the next few days.

    The book, entitled “Kosovo Under International Administration: An Endless Conflict” was written by researcher Alexandros Yiannis, and is published in association with the Program for Strategic and Studies for International Security.


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