Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-12-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov’t urges for patience and understanding in euro transition

[02] FYROM FM in Athens early next month

[03] Turkey again claims 'airspace violations' by Greek planes

[04] ND leader derides gov't's 'establishment mentality'

[05] Interior minister presents immigration & natural disaster bills

[06] Deputy defense minister visits units in Limnos

[07] Coalition leader meets journalist union presidiums

[08] 108 Greek MPs call for Israeli pull out from Palestinian territories

[09] Paschalidis briefed on programs for familiarity with euro

[10] Supermarket owners declare they are "ready" for the euro

[11] Athens bus system to collect outgoing drachma coins for UNICEF

[12] Greek consumers' complaints up sharply in 2001

[13] Greek stocks end flat in thin trade

[14] ATHOC says 6,000 drivers needed for 2004 Games

[15] Athens Academy Awards

[16] Cyprus president says three for dinner with Denktash

[17] Cyprus included in Spanish EU presidency priorities

[18] Cyprus to participate in all EU programs

[19] Cyprus protests violations of its air space

[01] Gov’t urges for patience and understanding in euro transition

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the final meeting of a National Coordinating Committee for the Euro in 2001, Christodoulakis noted the significance of Greece's participation in the eurozone and stressed the need for patience and understanding to deal with any problems arising during the first days of the euro circulation. He urged for both citizens and agencies to cooperate to achieve a smooth transition towards the new currency.

Bank of Greece's governor, Lucas Papademos, reminded that the first meeting of the committee was held two-and-a-half years ago and stressed that a lot has been achieved to facilitate the euro transition over that period.

The central banker and Greek Banks' Union secretary-general Christos Gortsos said that around 80 percent of Greek banks would be ready to supply euro bills, mainly 10, 20 and 50 banknotes, through their ATMs from January 1, 2002.

Large banks will be fully prepared to meet euro banknote demand by January 1. The two bankers said although large businesses' euro bill supply rate was satisfactory, small- and medium-sized enterprises were lagging far behind and that supply has not met 50 percent of the target.

Greek banks have sold around 85 percent of their euro familiarization packages, totalling three million, since December 17. Papademos said he expected the remaining 15 percent to be sold by the end of the year.

Christodoulakis warned that the introduction and the use of the euro currency was not an easy task. "It will need joint effort and alertness. The state mechanism is fully prepared to facilitate this effort," he noted.

National Coordinating Committee members expressed their doubts over small- and medium-sized enterprises' ability to adjust to the new currency quickly and over the results of efforts to maintain price stability in the transition period.

[02] FYROM FM in Athens early next month

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

Recent developments in the neighboring country are expected to dominate talks between the two foreign ministers, including bilateral issues.

[03] Turkey again claims 'airspace violations' by Greek planes

ISTANBUL, 28/12/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Turkey's military claimed on Thursday that Hellenic Air Force warplanes "violated Turkish airspace and harassed Turkish fighter planes flying in the Aegean's international airspace."

Ankara's claims the "violations" occurred on Nov. 23-24 and between Dec. 11 and 20.

"... aircraft belonging to the Greek air force violated Turkish airspace on six occasions south of the Daca region (across from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Hios) ... an immediate response by Turkish fighter planes intercepted the Greek fighter planes," an announcement released by the Turkish general staff on Thursday stated.

The Turkish general staff's statement merely added: "The dangerous results that may be created in the Aegean by the Greek planes' harassing and (airspace) violations were pointed out to the relevant authorities".

The last time Turkey "reversed roles" and claimed airspace violations by Greek aircraft was in mid November, when the neighboring country's chief of staff asserted that Greek warplanes violated Turkish airspace 14 times in the Aegean throughout 2001, a claim flatly denied by Athens only a few hours later.

Another Turkish general staff announcement in November charged that "Greek fighter planes harassed Turkish aircraft on a training mission two to three miles inside Turkish airspace near the Izmir-Karaburum region (300 miles southwest of Istanbul) on Nov 2."

At the time, a Greek government spokesman laconically replied that "it is not our policy to engage in a strategy of airspace violations against any country".

In similar language to Thursday's statements, November's press release by the Turkish general staff cited what it termed as 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.

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

[04] ND leader derides gov't's 'establishment mentality'

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

At the same time, Karamanlis claimed that the government had acquired an 'establishment mentality' because of its long stay in power, while also distancing itself from problems faced by ordinary citizens.

"This situation bred a lack of meritocracy, corruption and petty party politics," Karamanlis continued, adding that the PASOK government is also showing signs of 'social callousness'.

Karamanlis said ND was ready for elections and would come out victorious, whenever these are held.

Regarding upcoming local government elections, the main opposition leader said he had not decided which candidate ND would support for the Athens mayor's office.

Asked to comment on the ostensibly damaging revelations about New Democracy's actions between 1989-93 -- apparently detailed in an upcoming book by a retired intelligence chief -- Karamanlis said everyone "could present his own version of events," while the focus should be on the major and serious problems facing Greece as it entered the 21st century.

"I consider it political bankruptcy to re-open a discussion on what exactly did or did not happen 12 years ago. I believe that those attempting this are doing the country a great disservice. It is certain that they are trying to harm New Democracy but it is an attempt to once more divide Greeks and poison political life," he said in an interview aired by the Antenna television station.

Karamanlis also referred to revelations about suspected mass illegal naturalizations blamed on successive PASOK governments, as well as the fact that the government rejected recommendations by a public prosecutor for an investigation into the matter.

Karamanlis said he insisted his party take a moderate stance on the issue and avoid creating the impression that the electoral result may have been affected by illegal naturalizations.

"I could bring people out onto the streets. But I didn't do this because I do not believe that this is the job of the main opposition and future government. Politics also has an educational character. Through our own behavior we send a message ... I could come out on the next day after the elections and say that I don't recognize the electoral result, that it was fixed, that there were illegal naturalizations, or because of the stock market and some people might say I was justified. But what would the result be for Greece? Would it be better? It would be worse and I am convinced of this," he said.

He claimed, however, that there was startling evidence that illegal naturalizations had taken place and that the "government's guilty stance is obvious because it refused an investigation."

The ND leader said his party would pursue all ways to have the truth on this issue revealed, so that there would be no repetition of these phenomena that insulted the intelligence of the public and degraded the quality of democracy.

He said he would seek to show restraint but would also demand that the government respect the law and look at ways in which the two parties could work together to improve the quality and essence of democracy and political life.

Another issue that needed to be tackled jointly, he said, were vested financial interests and powerful public-sector contractors who were passing themselves off as "figures of power in public life".

Gov't reaction: A few hours later, the government spokesman sternly criticized Karamanlis, saying that "the only 'new' thing we witnessed in today's interview is that he (Karamanlis) recognizes that 50 years after the (Greek) Civil War his (political) formation had made serious mistakes. Better late than never."

Spokesman Christos Protopappas also claimed that insinuations of "political expediency" were proven correct as far as a prosecutor's report on the issue of illegal naturalizations is concerned.

Finally, he charged that Karamanlis failed to mention even one positive proposal in his lengthy morning TV interview.

[05] Interior minister presents immigration & natural disaster bills

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

According to the minister, the draft bill on immigration policies simplifies and facilitates the documentation of immigrants fulfilling entry and employment criteria in Greece, taking into account all the problems the state faced during the previous documentation process for some 367,000 immigrants.

He stressed that the immigration problem is not a national problem, rather it is an international one, noting that the European Union has not covered this issue with practical means. He added that this fact is a great challenge for the democratic future of Europe.

Skandalidis also said that the phenomenon of immigration is developing very fast in Greece and for this reason the government is attempting its immediate confrontation.

The second draft bill presented by the minister dealt with upgrading the civil defense institutions in confronting natural disasters. It completes the processes and institutions set out by a law ratified by Parliament in 1995.

The bill includes provisions for the establishment of institutions that will confront, if necessary, high technology disasters, cross- border natural disasters and the establishment of a scientific research center for the protection of civilians, among others.

[06] Deputy defense minister visits units in Limnos

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

Commenting on Greek-Turkish relations, Lotidis said the process of contacts on so-called low-policy issues in no way means that problems have been solved or are very close to a solution.

He further said that Greece is working systematically in the direction of creating a climate of easing tension. On the question of the European army and the complication caused by Turkey's stance, he reiterated that Greece remains steadfast in its position.

[07] Coalition leader meets journalist union presidiums

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

Constantopoulos assessed that the issue was not only a problem of safeguarding labor relations, but also a central problem of democracy.

He said that "the miserable and unacceptable state of affairs" in the press and mass media constituted a central political problem in Greece. He added that "this provocative situation" is not confronted with the self-regulation of the market, "as asked for by the Press Minister."

The Coalition leader expressed his support for efforts made by the journalists unions to safeguard the journalists' labor relations and for the institutional integration of the way the mass media operates.

He announced that he will call for a debate in Parliament, after the holiday season, on the situation prevailing in the press and mass media.

[08] 108 Greek MPs call for Israeli pull out from Palestinian territories

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

The 108 MPs added that this act is the only way with which a resumption of peace talks will come about aimed towards a fair and viable solution to the Palestinian issue based on UN Security Council resolutions.

In their call the Greek deputies from all parties said that operations by the Israeli army result to an increased number of dead among innocent civilians and underlined that the cutting off of Palestinian territories and the ongoing military operations feed up a new round of violence which leads nowhere.

On his part, Israel's ambassador to Athens on Thursday issued a statement in reaction to the call by the Greek deputies.

"Since its establishment Israel has been suffering from the blatant hatred of the Arabs, who in their own way have been encouraging murderous terrorist attacks against Israelis..." Israeli Ambassador David Sasson charged.

"... We just have to wonder why instead of wholeheartedly condemning murderous activity which is encouraged by the Arabs and mostly the Palestinians, only Israel is repeatedly criticized for trying to protect its citizens and halt such terrorist activity," the envoy's statement continues.

The call signed by the 108 Greek MPs was delivered to the Israeli embassy in Athens by deputies Tassos Mantelis, Thanassis Bouras, Spyros Striftaris and Panagiotis Lafazanis.

[09] Paschalidis briefed on programs for familiarity with euro

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

In statements afterward, Paschalidis said that with the cooperation of everyone involved, instances of profiteering could be avoided.

"We are entering a new age in a challenging future, we face new issues and are participating equally in the social and political unification of Europe, we want a just globalization," he said.

Among others, he added, the entry of the new currency would draw the curtain and reveal accurately the goals of true convergence.

[10] Supermarket owners declare they are "ready" for the euro

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

A poll conducted by the confederation of supermarket owners and targeted their clientele, showed that more than 50 per cent of those asked said that they were well informed of the new currency, while the rest said they knew very little or nothing about it. Men outpaced women in positive responses.

[11] Athens bus system to collect outgoing drachma coins for UNICEF

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

The boxes will be placed in 300 buses, 100 electrically powered trolleys and the 23 stops of the Athens-Piraeus metro.

[12] Greek consumers' complaints up sharply in 2001

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

INKA said that Greek consumers filed 15,343 complaints against the food sector this year. OTE, Slimming Centers, prices and tourism were also high in the complaints' list.

Consumer complaints totalled 104,323 last year. Complaints against OTE totalled 9,914 in 2001, from 1,896 last year, accounting for 8.16 percent total complaints.

INKA said that the steady rise in complaints reflected a serious core crisis in the domestic consumer market

The Hydra island inhabitants were champions in filing consumer complaints in 2001.

[13] Greek stocks end flat in thin trade

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.04 percent lower at 2,581.90 points, with turnover a moderate Dr 64.8 billion, or 190.28 million euros, boosted by large block trades.

The Holding, Metals and IT Solutions sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.16 percent, 1.05 percent and 0.89 percent, respectively), while the Foods, Insurance and Construction sectors recorded the biggest percentage gains (1.52 percent, 0.35 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.12 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.24 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.16 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 186 to 126 with another 41 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Phoenix, Ethniki EEEX, Halkor, Despek and Commercial Bank.

Equity futures end lower amid slow trade: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday showed a lower premium than in the previous session in a trading day that was marked by low volume, traders said.

Changing hands were 1,826 contracts, sharply lower compared with the previous session. Turnover was 11.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips dropped by 0.12 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.24 percent.

Bond prices rise in very light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in very light trade again focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.27 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 34 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 220 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[14] ATHOC says 6,000 drivers needed for 2004 Games

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

Some 2,300 vehicles and 5,000 drivers alone will be needed to transport VIPs and members of the extended "Olympic family" during the Athens Games of 2004, whereas 600 vehicles and 1,000 drivers will be assigned to various national sports delegations to be used at their convenience and discretion.

Based on ATHOC's planning and in combination with the host city contract it has signed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), approximately 1,260 VIPs will be allocated a car and driver on a 24-hour basis for all their transportation needs.

Another 4,200 IOC-accredited officials will have a car and driver at their disposal for 17 hours per day, although this perk will extend only for transportation to and from sports- and non-sports related Olympic venues.

Conversely, 1,600 specially equipped vehicles and 3,000 drivers are envisioned for the Para-Olympic Games.

ATHOC officials said they have already begun contacts with taxi owners' and drivers' associations to review conditions and prospects for using sector drivers for the 2004 Games.

Professional drivers employed for the duration of the Games are expected to be provided with a uniform, a meal stipend, as well as a daily salary expected to be set in the near future.

Additionally, ATHOC's transports and volunteer departments are working on establishing specifications for potential volunteer drivers during the Games.

All drivers, regardless, for both the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games will undergo ATHOC-organized fast-track training to acquire rudimentary foreign language skills, familiarity with the necessities in transporting Olympic VIPs, historical and cultural information about the country, the Olympic Games and specific sports competitions.

[15] Athens Academy Awards

Athens, 28/12/2001 (ANA)

During its annual festive session, the Academy also gave awards to poet Manolis Anagnostakis for his work and to Spyros Evangelatos in recognition of his 40-year contribution to the theatre.

Actress Xenia Kalogeropoulou was honored for her contribution to the children's theatre, as well as the Onassis Foundation for its cultural and social contribution since its establishment and schoolteachers Grigoris Karamanis, Constantine Michopoulos and George Konstantinidis for the work they are doing in the towns of Ioannina, Drama and Grevena respectively.

Medals, awards and commendations given by the Academy this year included the "Agios Ioannis Theologos" expatriate society of New York, for 90 years of national and social work, and the American Agricultural Academy of Thessaloniki for its work in the agricultural sector since 1904.

[16] Cyprus president says three for dinner with Denktash

NICOSIA, 28/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Asked about the dinner, after visiting a hospital in Nicosia, President Clerides said "there will be three of us".

Archbishop Chrysostomos, who also visited the hospital, said his view about the dinner would depend on what was said there.

Parties appear skeptical about future prospects on Cyprus: Party leaders, speaking only days before a much publicized dinner the president is hosting for the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, appeared rather skeptical on Thursday about any positive outcome emerging from Saturday's dinner and next month's start of direct peace talks.

Party leaders see hardly any change in Turkey's attitude towards Cyprus and are reserved in their judgment about the significance of Saturday's dinner.

Commenting on these developments, former Cyprus president Spyros Kyprianou said on Thursday there is no reason to feel euphoric about anything with regard to the start of direct talks on January 16. He said all indications from Turkey are that Ankara is making some "tactical maneuvers", noting that things will become clearer as the talks begin.

House President Demetris Christofias said he expected from the people to demonstrate maturity and responsibility in whatever protests they may stage against Denktash's presence and thereby convey the right messages.

Democratic Party (DIKO) leader Tasos Papadopoulos said dinners such as the one taking place on Saturday "should not be turned into a negotiating process" and cautioned against too much attention on such a social occasion to help improve the climate.

Social Democrats leader Yiannakis Omirou said he does not think that the dinner would have any serious political repercussions on future developments and noted that the Turkish side has not given any proof so far that it has changed its tune on the Cyprus question and that public statements by Ankara leave no room for optimism.

Spokesman: we trust our people, we are not worried: The government trusts its people and believes that any protests against the presence Denktash in the government-controlled areas of the Republic on Saturday night would be within the law.

"There is no cause for concern because the government has faith in the serious and responsible attitude of its people," government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Thursday, adding that the negative repercussions of protests by "hot-blooded people" would not be to the benefit of the people of Cyprus.

"I appeal to everybody but at the same time I am certain that everybody will rise to the occasion and will realize that this Saturday the attention of world public opinion will be on us to see whether Turkish claims that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together have any basis," Papapetrou said.

He said Greek Cypriots must send the message that Greek and Turkish Cypriots are compatriots and show solidarity towards each other.

[17] Cyprus included in Spanish EU presidency priorities

NICOSIA, 28/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In the list of priorities publicized by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, under "The Enlargement of the European Union", the presidency said "there will be support for the efforts deployed in the process currently underway, under the aegis of the UN, to find a political solution to the Cyprus question".

Referring to the conclusion of accession negotiations, the Spanish presidency notes that this "will be one of its hardest tasks, keeping in mind that we are approaching the final stages of the process, which is the most substantive, with the negotiation of the potentially most conflictive chapters".

The Spanish presidency adds that its intention is "to be able to contribute decisively to this process, so that those negotiations can be completed with the most advanced countries at the end of the second semester of 2002, as was foreseen during the European Council in Gothenburg". It also notes that in this last stage of negotiations, it will be necessary to verify compliance with the criteria for accession, especially the "Madrid criterion", i.e. "the effective application of the acquis communautaire".

Furthermore, it is noted that "the first general supervision will take place at the Seville European Council", in June 2002.

The Spanish presidency also says that, "within the framework of the conclusions of the Laeken European Council, it will encourage the pre-accession strategy with Turkey".

[18] Cyprus to participate in all EU programs

NICOSIA, 28/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

According to an official press release issued here on Thursday, the agreement, which was signed in Brussels between Cyprus' permanent representative to the EU, ambassador Theophilos Theophilou, and Belgian permanent representative, ambassador Van Daele, whose country holds the EU presidency, renders Cyprus the right to participate in all 36 EU programs under the same terms, rules and procedures as all state members. A special Agreement/Memorandum between the Commission and the competent Cyprus authorities will determine the particular terms of participation in each of these programs.

Cyprus started accession negotiations in March 1998 and has so far closed provisionally 24 out of 29 chapters.

[19] Cyprus protests violations of its air space

NICOSIA, 28/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

According to a Defense Ministry press release, on December 24, a total of 19 Turkish military aircraft violated 13 times Cyprus' national air space and four times the Nicosia FIR.

On December 25, 10 Turkish military jets violated seven times Cyprus' air space and five times the Nicosia FIR.

On December 26, a total of 11 Turkish warplanes violated 10 times the Republic's air space and five times the Nicosia FIR.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of its territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

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