Stamp duty on rents and contracts are to remain in place, but may be abolished in the second phase of the government's tax changes, scheduled for 2003.

Finally, a 7.0 percent tax would be imposed on returns from banking repos contracts effective on January 1 to help offset a wide differential with taxes on bonds and interest on deposits; and the government was working on a real estate tax for offshore companies, Christodoulakis said.

Gov't takes major step in boosting jobs through tax lure: Government spokesman Christos Protopappas said on Thursday that the government had taken a major step forward in boosting employment by incorporating incentives to recruit into the tax system.

Under tax relief announced earlier in the day, companies are to pay a lower rate of corporate tax if they increase recruitment.

"This is a very important step as it links economic developments to the creation of thousands of new jobs," Protopappas told reporters.

The move is part of a tax overhaul that will continue in coming years after consultations with the market. Another round of measures will be devised for 2003.

The spokesman added that the government would keep to the pledges it has made on social policy.

Opposition parties criticize government's new tax measures: The main opposition New Democracy party on Thursday accused the government of a timid, slapdash approach to changing the tax system after the announcement of new measures earlier in the day.

"The economy needs integrated and well-planned intervention. The government's policy of stitching and unraveling will solve neither the problem of growth nor the problem of injustice in the tax system," the party's economy spokesman, George Alogoskoufis, said in a statement.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) charged that the government's measures aided the wealthy.

"The decisions presented by the prime minister as tax breaks favor big capital. In the best case scenario, they represent crumbs for the incomes of wage-earners and pensioners, which will be taken back in other ways," the KKE said in a statement.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress said the tax package was fragmentary and inadequate, returning few of the losses that people in need had incurred, and favoring mainly high incomes.

The government had failed to live up to expectations of economic redistribution policies that it had led the public to believe would be implemented after national elections last year, a member of the party's political bureau, Dimitris Papadimoulis, said.

Finally, the leader of the Democratic Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas, claimed that the tax measures confirmed the unjust class and social bias of the government's tax and fiscal policy with tax breaks for companies and no major tax reductions on incomes.

[02] Greek FM concludes scheduled contacts in New York

NEW YORK 16/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Papandreou is New York to participate in the annual United Nations General Assembly General Discussions. He addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday and held a series of meetings with foreign officials on the sidelines of the affair.

On Wednesday, the Greek minister addressed an event organized in his honor by the Greek General Consul in New York Dimitris Platis and relayed the warm feelings of love and solidarity the Greek people have for Greek expatriates and the city of New York in its difficult times.

He also spoke of the close cooperation between the Greek government and the U.S. administration in the struggle against terrorism, making special mention of the U.S. military facilities in Greece and the exchange of information.

Papandreou addressed Greece's systematic efforts to promote stability, democracy and good neighborly relations on the international stage and in the Balkans, pointing out the presence of Albanian Foreign Minister Arta Dante in that event.

Earlier on Wednesday, Papandreou met with Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios and discussed with him the important work the latter is doing in promoting the dialogue among religions.

[03] FM in Brussels on Monday, deputy minister in Azerbaijan

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis told a press briefing that Papandreou, accompanied by alternate minister Tassos Yiannitsis, would be in Brussels on Monday to take part in the EU Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on General Affairs, and in a joint meeting of the EU foreign and defense ministers on Tuesday.

The ministry spokesman also said that Magriotis would arrive in Azerbaijan on Sunday for a four-day visit that would include talks with the country's president, prime minister, foreign minister and parliament president on bilateral economic and political relations and the situation in the region.

After Azerbaijan, Magriotis would go to Istanbul for a courtesy visit with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

Beglitis further stressed Greece's particular interest in the developments in the Balkans, mainly in Kosovo in light of the imminent elections, as well as in FYROM.

In that framework, and under Papandreou's orders, a delegation of ministry officials, headed by Balkan Affairs chief Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, had visited Kosovo a few days ago for talks with local officials on prospects for Greece contributing to the peaceful course of Kosovo, Beglitis said.

He called the imminent elections in Kosovo a landmark in its reconstruction course, noting that the elections, in accordance with the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1244, did not create conditions for Kosovo's independence but, rather, contributed significantly to national reconciliation.

As for the developments in FYROM, the foreign ministry spokesman reiterated Greece's position that it was imperative for all sides to display the proper seriousness for the implementation of the framework political agreement.

On the outstanding name issue, he said that the conditions of instability and fluidity currently prevailing in FYROM did not create the conditions for immediate resolution of the name issue.

[04] Greece to provide more facilities to US war effort in Afghanistan

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The decision was made during Thursday's meeting of the government's defense and foreign affairs council (KYSEA), which was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

The council also appointed Lieut. Gen. Georgios Antonakopoulos as the new chief of staff for the Greek armed forces, replacing Gen. Manoussos Paragioudakis who is retiring.

KYSEA is due to appoint a new chief of staff for the army at its next meeting in January.

Listing the additional facilities to the US that were decided, Papantoniou said Greece would contribute a surface vessel to a NATO naval force that might sent to the Arabian Sea if events made this necessary and 300 troops to the peace-keeping missions in Kosovo if American troops were moved to the war front.

Greece would also be sending two C-130 transport planes laden with humanitarian aid to the Afghanistan region, Papantoniou said, which would most likely land in one of the countries neighboring Afghanistan.

Papantoniou once again ruled out all possibility of Greece sending troops for a military mission in Afghanistan.

Earlier on Thursday, meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said that Greece was not opposed to the idea of contributing troops to a NATO mission for delivering humanitarian aid, at least in principle.

[05] EU health ministers discuss reaction to terrorist use of biochemical weapons

BRUSSELS 16/11/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos represented Greece at the meetings. During his address he stressed that the Union should increase its ability to react to the biochemical threat with more effective coordination of member-states and the support of the European Commission, based on the declaration adopted by the leaders of the 15 member-states on Oct. 19.

The "15" expressed their satisfaction with the steps already taken in the direction of strengthening the European network against contagious diseases and the early warning system, while the called on the European Commission and the member-states to develop a complete cooperation program.

Closer cooperation of member-states, in the event of a crisis involving biochemical weapons, includes the deployment of a consulting mechanism and the ability to use common research groups.

The ministers' agenda also included discussions on a draft directive for the establishment of common models of blood supply quality and security, which was unanimously approved.

The Greek minister backed a French proposal to amend the draft clarifying the principle of voluntary blood donation and non-remunerated blood donation.

[06] Beglitis says Pangalos' treaty ratification bill has ministry's support

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Beglitis was referring to a 'draft' bill on the treaty's ratification tabled by ruling PASOK MP Theodoros Pangalos in Parliament on Wednesday, with the backing of 18 MPs from PASOK, the Coalition of the Left and Progress and the Communist Party of Greece.

Beglitis said that Foreign Minister George Papandreou had given orders for the foreign ministry to prepare its own bill on this issue, in close consultation with the justice ministry.

If passed, the bill would ratify a treaty signed in 1972, at a time when Greece was ruled by an oppressive military junta, which would allow the execution of Greek court orders against a foreign state without its written consent.

Greece eventually signed the CoE treaty in 1994, when Pangalos was foreign minister.

Once in force, the treaty will facilitate the execution of court orders in a case brought against Germany by the relatives of World War II atrocity victims, who have been unable to claim compensation awarded them by the courts.

Despite winning their case, rulings to seize and auction German state properties in Greece - namely the Goethe Institute and the German Archaeological Society buildings in Athens - have snagged on a law, which makes the justice minister's consent necessary for the seizure of assets belonging to a foreign state.

Lawyers representing Germany have successfully reversed orders to confiscate the buildings because the previous justice minister had not authorized their seizure. Plaintiffs in the class-action suit appealed against the freeze and a final decision is due from a special Supreme Court council that will seek to reconcile conflicting rulings on the issue by the Supreme Court and the Council of State.

The order to confiscate the two buildings was originally issued by a lower court in central Greece, following a supreme court decision in favor of relatives of 214 Distomo villagers killed by Nazi occupation troops in June 1944 and an order to Germany to pay 9.4 billion drachmas in compensation.

Berlin has consistently refused to consider additional compensation payments, arguing that Germany has already paid blanket compensation under post-war reparations to Greece.

In 1960, West Germany paid a total of 115 million German marks to Greek victims of Nazi oppression. The relevant treaty signed between Germany and Greece did not, however, bar other Greek citizens from making claims and seeking compensation.

EU says solution to Cyprus issue no condition for accession

ISTANBUL 16/11/2001 (ANA - E. Aretaios/A. Kourkoulas)

The warning was voiced Thursday by Michael Lee, the head of the European Commission's Enlargement Department responsible for Turkey, who underlined that if the Republic of Cyprus joins the EU without a prior solution to the Cyprus issue, EU-Turkish relations will be "overshadowed".

Speaking at a press conference at the European Commission's mission in Ankara, Lee said the process of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue should be speeded up and called on Ankara to exercise its influence for a speedup in the process, according to an Anatolian news agency report.

In another development, Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit "warned" the EU and the UN that with the policy they are following on the Cyprus issue they will lead to a revival of "ethnic violence."

Addressing his party's parliamentary group, Ecevit said on Thursday "if the Turkish Cypriots are obliged to live with the Greek Cypriots, as is desired by the EU and the UN secretary general, they will be threatened by genocide and terrorism."

"Whoever claims that I will hand over 'Northern Cyprus' is absurd," Ecevit said, commenting on statements made on Wednesday by True Path party President Tansu Ciller, who said Ecevit "is ready to deliver 'Northern Cyprus' to the Greek Cypriots on a golden platter."

In yet another development on the issue, and according to an ANA dispatch from Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in a new outburst of intransigence, said that those who are pressuring the Turkish Cypriots to board the "train" for the EU should know that this train will crash into a Turkish wall.

[07] Turkey says Greek planes violated airspace; Athens dismisses claim

ISTANBUL 16/11/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Additionally, Ankara claimed that Greek air force fighters – which it identified as French-made Mirage 2000s -- harassed Turkish military planes conducting training flights on 17 occasions in the Aegean’s international airspace.

According to an announcement released on Thursday by the Turkish general staff, Greek fighter planes harassed Turkish aircraft on a training mission two to three miles inside Turkish airspace near the Izmir-Karabouroun region on Nov 2.

“We don’t have any such information,” government spokesman Christos Protopappas said during his regular press briefing in Athens

“It is not our policy to engage in a strategy of airspace violations against any country,” the spokesman stressed.

Finally, the Turkish press release cited the “dangerous results” that may be created in the Aegean from such violations.

Greece has long and vigorously pointed to scores of infringements of Athens FIR regulations and national airspace violations over the Aegean by Turkish warplanes during the past decade, incidents that practically assure the take-off of Greek fighter planes on missions to intercept the intruders and escort them back towards Turkish airspace.

The last such incidents Athens reported came on Oct. 1, when Turkish jetfighters infringed on Athens FIR regulations and violated Greek airspace in the northern Aegean.

Military sources at the time said 20 Turkish jetfighters -- in 10 formations -- engaged in 18 infringements of Athens FIR regulations.

Sezer on T/C pseudo-state: Meanwhile, in a later dispatch from Istanbul, a message by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash reportedly stated that “Turkey will continue to support the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots under any circumstances.”

Sezer’s letter is related to this week’s 15-year anniversary mar-king the illegal proclamation of a so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” in the areas occupied by the Turkish military since 1974.

Only Turkey, whose troops occupy one-third of the island republic, recognizes the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state.

Sezer notes that “the ‘TRNC’ will assume the position it deserves in the modern world”, while reiterating Ankara’s standing position that the international community must recognize the pseudo-state before a permanent solution to the long-standing Cyprus question is achieved.

[08] Reaction in Parliament against bill for coastal areas' use

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Objections were focused on the second article of the bill, which allows the use of coastal areas and beaches for environmental public benefit and the facilitation of the "superior public interest", while it calls for the protection of the free and un-hindered use of the beach areas by everyone.

The same article also forbids the construction of structures on beaches, except in cases where the aforementioned aims call for structures to be built.

Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis, who presented the bill to Parliament, defended it, but accepted several amendments tabled by the floor.

ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos announced the decision of his party to nullify the bill if it becomes law, in the event that the main opposition party wins the next elections.

The roll-call vote called by ND and was also signed by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Liana Kanelli, will force a vote in which deputies will have to voice their vote openly and for the record. This vote will take place on Tuesday, as was announced by Parliament.

[09] EU justice awarded medal by Greece

LUXEMBOURG 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The ceremony was held on Wednesday night and the medal was given to Iglesias by Greek Ambassador in Luxembourg Panagiotis Makris, on behalf of President Stephanopoulos.

[10] Four new ambassadors to Athens present their credentials

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The president received in succession the new ambassadors of Poland, Grzegorz Dziemidowicz, of Jamaica, Ransford A. Smith, of Oman, Yahya Bin Abdullah Bin Salim Al-Araimi, and of San Marino, Corrado Carattoni.

Present at the ceremony were Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis and the General Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic, Ambassador C. Ailianos.

[11] Grossman calls on Archbishop Demetrios

NEW YORK 16/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

It said that the two men had also discussed the issue of the re-opening of the Halki School of Theology, and that Grossman had assured the Archbishop that the State Department was continuing its efforts on the issue and hoped that a solution would be found soon.

The Archbishop thanked Grossman for his "tireless efforts", and conveyed the satisfaction of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, the statement said.

Grossman was accompanied on his visit to Demetrios by US permanent representative to the UN John Negreponte.

[12] Parliament president leaves for Stockholm

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The conference will focus on the issue of "The role of national parliaments in the European structure-Parliamentary contribution to the process started from the Nice summit."

Moreover, a meeting will be held on Saturday with the parliament presidents of candidate countries on "The role of parliaments during the period of negotiations for EU accession."

Kaklamanis will return to Athens on Sunday.

[13] Papadimas comments on metropolitan authorities debate

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

He opposed suggestions to replace smaller local authorities with a single metropolitan authority.

The issue was raised during the regular conference of the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Athens Prefecture (TEDKNA).

Papadimas said there should be dialogue with a specific time limit so that the best possible solution could be found, which would secure the assent of both cross-party committees and local government officials.

TEDKNA president G. Mastorakos proposed setting up a "metropolitan municipal association" that would have a city-wide brief for waste management, natural gas supplies, school buildings, public transport, traffic control and road making.

[14] ND condemns UDI by Turkish Cypriots on 18th anniversary

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

ND also reiterated its full-backing for Cyprus' accession to the European Union with the first group of candidate countries.

It said the Turkish Cypriots should at long last respond to the United Nations' invitation for a resumption of the Cyprus peace talks.

ND called on the international community to categorically condemn threats by Turkey to annex the Turkish-occupied part of the island in the event that Cyprus joins the EU.

[15] ND organizes event on Polytechnic uprising

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the event, ND leader Costas Karamanlis made an opening to the left and to voters of other parties, saying that ND acknowledges and honors the contribution of all political forces irrespectively in consolidating the democratic form of government and trusts all citizens regardless of their ideological origin and of what they voted for.

Karamanlis said that today democracy is not faced with Polytechnic-era dangers but is being dealt blows by vested interests, which characterize the relations between political authority and organized economic interests, regime practices and mentalities and decadent phenomena.

Contrasting modern-day life with the Polytechnic era, Karamanlis said one should not forget that the "country ranks last regarding regional and social inequalities, that a third of the population lives below poverty level, the extent of unemployment exceeds every negative precedent and one out of three young people is unemployed".

Karamanlis further said that education remains a must at present as well, adding that every family is currently paying the heaviest economic burden for the education of its children.

He said that the "biggest lie being heard is that of so-called free education" and criticized the government for backtracking from one minister to another and for policy changes in education.

Karamanlis stressed that an understanding should be reached on the enactment of a national dialogue on education, as well as the joining of forces for organizing the 2004 Athens Olympic Games

and for the creation of a national foreign and security policy council.

Party messages on Polytechnic anniversary: In a message on the 28th anniversary of the student uprising against the military junta on November 17, 1973, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said "strength is derived to defend independence, democracy and social progress from the source of the historic and marginal resistance to oppression and dependence".

Synaspismos added that the message of the left, particularly to young people, "is a message of contestation and positive exit from the current crisis in politics and their submission to the mandates of markets".

In a similar message, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) said the Polytechnic uprising is the continuation of the struggles of the people for freedom, democracy and national independence.

"We say no to the New World Order and its wars. We say no to inhuman neo-liberalism and we say no to two-party rule and the government's anti-popular policy. Every generation creates its own Polytechnics," the message said.

[16] Synaspismos leader meets Cyprus' ambassador to Athens

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Constantopoulos added that the negative stance of Turkey on the issue to date has left that country open to criticism in regards to the obligations of Turkey toward the European Union as described by the Helsinki decisions.

He stressed that such a stance negatively affects Greek-Turkish relations, something that cannot be balanced by whichever steps of rapprochement on "low policy" issues.

[17] Thessaloniki radio licenses issue arises in Parliament

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Speaking before Parliament’s technology assessment committee, the president of the Union of Macedonia Radio-stations (ER-MAK), Thanasis Krastanas, said member-stations are observing distances of 300MHz between transmitters, whereas a majority of radio stations are also abiding by a ceiling for broadcast strength, namely, five kilowatts.

He also tabled a relevant study commissioned by ERMAK to substantiate its position for more radio station licenses in the northern Greek port city.

On his part, Deputy Communications Minister Spyros Vougias – who hails from Thessaloniki and even ran in the mayor’s race during the last municipal election – told the committee that the government will not intervene in radio stations’ operation until a final frequency map is comprised for the region.

In late March a government decision to finally issue a total of 28 radio station licenses – with transmitters to be shifted from Mount Hymettus to Mount Parnitha – and to shutdown stations without a license caused a veritable “media furor” over the airwaves.

Police raids on a “transmitter park” atop Mount Hymettus, over-looking Athens from the east, also coincided with the opening of the new Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.

The partially state-controlled National Radio-Television Council (ERS) had initially approved a maximum of 28 radio frequencies to allow for the unimpeded operation of the new airport, whereas more than 70 stations, many without any legal standing, had been broadcasting in the Greek capital until March.

In late August the ERS announced that a second batch of radio frequency licenses for the greater Athens area –15 in total -- would not include the criterion of seniority.

Instead, ERS said three criteria would be employed to grant additional licenses, namely, program capacity, total investments and the number of proven staff.

[18] Gov't to submit 2002 budget to parliament next Wednesday

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

He said that the budget was based on the necessity of improving economic competitiveness and boosting employment.

Greek economic growth will total 4.1 percent this year and 3.8 percent in 2002, Christodoulakis said. He described both rates realistic and noted they coincided with forecasts made by inter-national organizations (OECD, IMF) recently.

"Greece is developing with very high growth rates, double the eurozone average rate. Our economy is definitely affected by international developments and this has to be reflected in next year's budget," he said.

Christodoulakis announced that the government would accelerate procedures to absorb funds from a Third Community Support Framework and more money available through a Public Investments Program.

Next year's budget envisages a general government surplus, with this year's surplus expected to fall to 0.1 percent of GDP from an initial estimate 0.5 percent. Christodoulakis said that the country's public debt was projected to fall to 97.3 percent of GDP in 2002 from 99.6 percent this year.

[19] Greece to sign cooperation protocol with Russian Federation

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The foreign ministry in a press release on Thursday said the Russian side will be represented by the Vice-President of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko.

The issues to be discussed concern energy and natural gas, the provision of credit facilities to the Russian side, bilateral development aid, tourism, agriculture and transport.

[20] China expresses tourism interest for Greece

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

His comments were made during a meeting with Deputy Development Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos, responsible for tourism affairs. The two men agreed to sign a bilateral tourism agreement.

Mr. Jianguo expressed China's tourism market's strong interest for Greek destinations and stressed Greece's positive image in his country because of its cultural tradition, natural environment and ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The Chinese ambassador recommended that a Greek Tourism Organization’s bureau in China would be based in Beijing.

[21] European Parliament halts cigarette prices increase

STRASBOURG 16/11/2001 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

The Commission was calling for the imposition of a stable minimum tax of 70 euro per 1,000 cigarettes. This would result in an increase in cigarette prices in five European Union member-states out of a total of 15. They are primarily the countries of the European south with a 27 percent increase in Spain, 18 in Greece and Italy, 16 in Portugal and 11 in Luxembourg.

Regarding Greece in particular, this would mean that the price of a packet of cigarettes would amount to about 1,000 drachmas.

Katiforis said an increase in cigarette prices in only five EU countries would have the opposite result of that desired since it would automatically lead to an increase in relative smuggling.

He also said that the directive proposed would have considerable negative consequences for small and medium-size tobacco businesses in the south, which, due to their small size, have smaller profit margins.

[22] Stocks nose up, gremlin disrupts trade

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.66 percent to end at 2,707.82 points. Turnover was 250.46 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.97 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.07 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities 0.57 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 193 to 147 with 23 issues remaining unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Athens Medical, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, Space Hellas and Cosmote.

Bond Market Close: Prices mixed in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished mixed in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 4.94 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 41 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 3.4 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for around half of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures perky within range: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday remained perky in range bound trade despite technical problems that plagued the main market.

Changing hands were 9,591 contracts on turnover of 60.7 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.97% percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.07 percent.

[23] ND repeats demand for debate on Olympics projects' progress

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

In the letter, Karamanlis noted that Prime Minister Costas Simitis denied a request for a debate on the issue in Parliament on November 2, despite having failed to inform the assembly on the pace of Olympic projects every three months, as he was legally obliged to do.

Justifying an unscheduled debate on the issue, the main opposition leader said there had been "a series of government actions and omissions that created acute concern or at least raised reasonable questions."

Karamanlis stressed substantial delays in carrying out infrastructure works, raised fears of shoddy or makeshift solutions and also direct assignment of projects without a tender, which was against the law.

[24] Composer Mikis Theodorakis undergoes prostate surgery

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Theodorakis underwent prostate surgical urethra cleaning, with the use of local anesthetic and is expected to be released from the hospital in five days.

[25] Explosion next to American Express branch reported

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

The explosive device was reportedly placed on a motorbike at the entrance of a shopping center’s underground parking lot, and next to the bank. The shopping centre is located in the Neo Psychico municipality.

No injuries were reported, only material damage was caused to the bank’s facade.

[26] Event on migrants and refugees to the European Union

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Michalopoulou said that the network was established in 1999 by people of the press and mass media with the objective of upgrading the regional dimension of the European Union and supporting its multi-cultural identity.

She referred to the continuous wave of refugees, which she said was accompanied by samples of racist and xenophobic reactions. With regard to Greece, she underlined that it was imperative that "institutional reforms" should be made to deal with the matter and that suitable centers be created for the refugees.

On his part, Karafotias said that at present there are 22 million uprooted people who are being hosted in foreign countries, one-fifth of those in Europe.

[27] Total of 21 illegal migrants intercepted off 2 islands

Athens, 16/11/2001 (ANA)

Further to the north, another eight Afghan migrants were spotted just off the eastern Aegean island of Hios aboard two flimsy dinghies, reports state.

All of the would-be migrants were detained and expected to appear before local prosecutors.

[28] Greek singers sing 'happy birthday' for Prince Charles

LONDON 16/11/2001 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The event in which the two Greek singers took part was organized by the British School of Archaeological in Athens with the purpose of collecting money for its activities in Greece, particularly for its latest archaeological excavations in Knosos, Crete, where mosaics of a considerable value were found.

The heir to the British throne has had the School under his auspices since 1997 and is assisting its work. Greek and foreign businessmen had been invited to the event that contributed to the collection of a satisfactory amount of money. The exact amount has not been announced.

Anna Vissi sang "happy birthday" for Prince Charles in English and afterwards the corresponding adaptation in Greek. Prince Charles and Vissi also talked for about 10 minutes.

[29] Kasoulides says Cyprus to serve as bridge between NAM and EU

NEW YORK16/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Expressing gratitude and support to the Movement, he assured member states that Cyprus has no intention of abandoning its traditional bonds with NAM but instead wishes to act as a bridge between the NAM and the European family of nations, once it joins the European Union.

"Despite the fact that the government of Cyprus has spared no effort in the search of a comprehensive solution, we are faced again with the same familiar scenario of intransigence and obstinacy," he said, noting that a settlement must be within the parameters set out by the Security Council and must allow the reunification of the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern part in 1974.

The minister explained that the Turkish side rejected the latest UN invitation to resume the talks, which they abandoned last year, and informed NAM that the UN described this development as "regrettable" and the decision to decline the invitation "unjustified."

Kasoulides called on the Turkish side to "seize the moment" to find a settlement and to realize that a solution must be mutually acceptable.

On Cyprus' links with NAM, he said, "we have no intention of forfeiting our traditional bonds with NAM, on the contrary our ambition, as an EU member, is to be one of the bridges between NAM and the EU, thus enhancing mutual cooperation and understanding."

Describing the Movement as "a very important actor in the international arena and a moral voice for the weak and the very poor," he said NAM plays a pivotal role in the ongoing efforts for revitalizing the role of the UN General Assembly.

On the Middle East issue, he said the current tragic situation aptly demonstrates the explosive consequences of the long delay in bringing about a solution to the Palestinian problem and he renewed his call for the implementation of UN resolutions 242 and 338.

[30] US thanks Cyprus for its efforts against terrorism

NEW YORK 16/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Grossman, who was speaking after a meeting here on Wednesday with the Cypriot president prior to Clerides' departure for Cyprus via London, reiterated his administration's support for the good offices of UN

Secretary General Kofi Annan to resume the stalled peace negotiations with a view to bringing about a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

The senior US diplomat also said the September 11 terrorist attacks remind everybody that life is too fragile and people should do all they can to solve their problems, during their short passage in life on this planet.

"I had a chance to thank the President for all of the efforts Cyprus is making to be part of this campaign against terrorism," he said after the half hour long meeting, adding that his conversation with the president on this topic had an added emotion and poignancy following Clerides' morning visit to "ground zero".

Grossman said Clerides gave him an analysis at the end of his time in New York and about where things stood and the challenges he faces in trying to bring a useful resolution to the Cyprus problem.

Invited to outline his own analysis of the situation, he said there is hope to make headway, if we support the UN Secretary General and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto in the negotiation.

Asked if the US is considering to make some move in the direction of Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to get them back into the negotiating process, he said "we have contacts with everybody and one of the things we say to everybody as much as we can is support the UN, the SG, de Soto and let us move forward in the negotiations."

When asked to say what response he gets to these calls, he said "everybody is listening to us, it is very important to support the UN in this regard, we want to do that in any way that is possible and in the best way we know how."

Denktash, backed by Ankara, withdrew from the UN-led peace talks in November last year and in September this year he turned down a UN invitation to resume the talks.

On the impact of the September 11 attacks on a Cyprus solution, Grossman said, "that is up to the parties, the attack reminds everyone of the fragility of human life and that life is short and when there are problems around the world, people should do their best to solve them."

He noted that he would not presume to talk about the possible impact of the September 11, as the parties have to figure that out.

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