Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis backs Bulgarian bid to join EU, NATO during Sofia visit Asks for closure of Koslodui power station

[02] Parvanov, Simitis meeting 'very important', Bulgarian spokesman says

[03] Greece opposes British plan for EU's future, Greek premier says

[04] ND leader: EU expansion impossible without Cyprus

[05] CoE Parliamentary Assembly approves resolution on Cyprus

[06] Greece remains firm in policy towards Turkey

[07] Gov't spokesman on deputy FM Zaphiro-poulos' resignation

[08] Papantoniou visits air force squadrons on Limnos, Skyros

[09] Turkish aircraft infringe air traffic rules in Athens FIR

[10] ND leader confident of victory in next elections

[11] Teachers call strike over new education bill

[12] Road safety program producing spectacular results

[13] Claim that Andreas Papandreou phones were monitored to be investigated

[14] President attends Athens Chamber of Commerce's reception

[15] Finance minister wants EU initiative for southern countries

[16] Greek trade deficit up 1.0 bln euros in Jan-Oct

[17] Gjirokaster mayor requests Greek electricity

[18] Greek businesses, consumers adapted easily to euro, survey

[19] Athens, Belgrade bourses launch cooperation

[20] Buying in small caps lifts ASE higher

[21] IOC points to 2004 transports, accommodation concerns; progress cited elsewhere

[22] Minister discusses Ikarus performance with film director

[23] Earthquake rocking Crete, Rhodes stronger than previously calculated

[24] Cyprus government spokesman denies Turkish press reports

[25] US Ambassador welcomes direct talks

[26] Turkey must meet its obligations, says Council of Europe

[01] Simitis backs Bulgarian bid to join EU, NATO during Sofia visit Asks for closure of Koslodui power station

SOFIA, 23/01/2002 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

In a joint press conference after their meeting, Simitis said that Bulgaria's desire to join the EU and NATO was viewed positively by Athens and that his talks in Sofia had helped to further cement the good bilateral ties between the two countries.

Responding to questions, however, the Greek premier also raised the issue of the nuclear power station in Koslodui, which Greece wants shut down on the grounds that it is dangerous. Simitis stressed that Greece would feel safer in the future if the agreements made on this issue were adhered to.

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha replied that his government would make every effort to shut down two of the reactors by the end of 2002 and the other two by the end of 2006.

Apart from these, the two men also discussed bilateral economic ties, ways of overcoming glitches in bilateral cooperation issues, and signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation.

Simitis said Bulgaria's increasing economic stability was a very good sign for Greek business, which was the second-largest foreign investor in the country. He estimated that some 800 Greek companies were currently operating within Bulgaria, creating 70,000 jobs in the process, and predicted that bilateral economic ties would improve even further once Bulgaria became a member of the EU.

Simitis also answered questions regarding a planned oil pipeline between Burgas and the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis, saying that this had come one step closer to being carried out after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that previous doubts and questions over the project no longer existed.

There remained the task of deciding who would participate in the pipeline's construction and how, and what quantities of oil would pass through it, the Greek premier added.

Asked about his recent visits to Russia and the United States, Simitis said he had noted a desire for cooperation between the two former rival superpowers and that he had brought up the issue of Bulgaria's bid to join NATO with US president George Bush and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Simitis also slammed delays in the Balkan Stability Pact's economic and infrastructure program, saying that they were unacceptable despite the recession in western economies.

Asked about delays in implementing the Balkan reconstruction plan, he referred specifically to Greece's program, saying that this called for the funding of specific projects whose planning had been completed and which were ready to enter the implementation phase - and on condition that Greek companies were involved. He indirectly blamed the Bulgarian side for failing to move such projects forward.

He also announced that a bill needed for the plan's implementation would be tabled in the Greek Parliament within the next few weeks.

Asked about a bilateral agreement for seasonal employment, the Greek prime minister said that high levels of illegal immigration meant there was little demand for seasonal labor, while pointing out that there would be a demand in Greece for skills needed for the organization of the Olympics in 2004.

Finally, in response to questions about relations between Greece and Turkey, Simitis said that efforts for peace in the region could not yield results in a single day but required constant and hard work.

Simitis was also the only foreign leader to attend a ceremony in which outgoing Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov handed over his office to new president Georgi Parvanov.

On his inauguration, Parvanov said his priority would be to speed up Bulgaria's membership of the EU and NATO, a goal shared by Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's government.

Bulgaria was not named by EU leaders at a summit last month to be among the 10 countries on track to join the current15-nation bloc in 2004.

EU diplomats say that Bulgaria and neighboring Romania are unlikely to join before 2007. But the government said it could still be able to wrap up entry talks by 2003 and join sooner.

Bulgaria also hopes to win an invitation to join NATO at the pact's summit in Prague in November this year.

Simitis presents Greece's Balkan reconstruction plan in Sofia: Details of a bill for Greece's Balkan reconstruction plan, which provides 550 million euros to be spent over a period of five years (2002-2006), were made public in Sofia on Tuesday by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

The Greek premier is carrying out a one-day working visit to Bulgaria.

Disagreements with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou over the bill in question were what prompted the resignation on Monday of Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannis Zaphiropoulos.

The money provided by the bill is to be used for projects, investments, activities and planning surveys in Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Romania.

The program will be implemented by the Greek foreign ministry, which will sign bilateral economic cooperation agreements with each of the countries included in it.

Simitis said the bill would be tabled in Parliament within the next few weeks and would become law by the end of the year.

[02] Parvanov, Simitis meeting 'very important', Bulgarian spokesman says

SOFIA, 23/01/2002 (ANA - B. Borisov)

He added that Bulgaria counts on Greece's support to enter the European Union and NATO "as a full member".

Both men expressed their common desire to further develop the traditional political relations between the two countries, which they both evaluated as being at a very good state, Dimitrov said.

This cooperation and further development of the bilateral relations should also take place in the economic field as well, Greece already ranks in second place regarding investments in the neigh-boring country and "it is the common will for the continuation of this course with more dynamic rhythm," Dimitrov said.

He also noted that the talks between Simitis and Parvanov also focused on the conditions in the Balkans and the efforts to stabilize the region, while according to Dimitrov both men ex-pressed their stand for a unified and independent Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Dimitrov noted that Parvanov invited Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos to visit his country, while expressing the wish to officially visit Greece.

Greek premier receives doctorate honoris causa from Sofia University: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday received a doctorate honoris causa from the Sofia University, at a special ceremony, which followed the earlier contacts of the Greek premier with the country's leadership.

During his address to the event, Simitis focused on the European Union enlargement, and the future of Europe, a few weeks after the circulation of the euro.

"This is a critical period for Europe, the Balkans and of course Bulgaria. In a few weeks a new institution - the Assembly - will begin its work, preparing the reforms for the EU, for it to be able to increase its members to 27 and to accept Bulgaria as a full member in the near future," Simitis said.

Simitis also spoke in detail of Bulgaria's prospects and course toward the acquis communautaire of the European Union, and focused on the progress of the Union in the sector of security and democratic processes, as well as the social welfare for citizens.

[03] Greece opposes British plan for EU's future, Greek premier says

SOFIA, 23/01/2002 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

The British plan, according to the Greek premier, proposes the permanent presence of the major countries on the decision ma-king level, but only the alternating presence of smaller countries.

"Such a plan changes the form of the EU and for that reason it will meet with great difficulties," Simitis said and underlined Greece's stern opposition.

"This discussion will be intense and long and no one can predict the outcome now," the Greek premier added.

[04] ND leader: EU expansion impossible without Cyprus

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

In response to a variety of press questions, Karamanlis added that his party's support towards the PASOK government on major foreign policy issues does not constitute a "carte blanche", noting that talks with Turkey involving Greece's sovereign rights are strictly out of the question.

"What dialogue? For what purpose, and on what basis?" Karamanlis asked, while noting that weaknesses in the 1999 Helsinki agreement - citing the EU summit where Turkey was for the first time designated as an EU candidate-state - are now appearing, such as references to dialogue over border area differences without commensurate references to international treaties.

The ND leader criticized the government for its handling of the thorny "Euro-Army" issue, charging that Athens attempted to gain a short deferment at the last moment instead of condemning, from the onset, British-Turkish negotiations aimed at working out a compromise with Ankara over its insistence that it fully participate in the EU's new defense arm.

He also appeared cautious over the recently re-started Clerides-Denktash talks on the divided island of Cyprus.

Turning to the domestic front, Karamanlis referred to "political responsibilities" over the recent collapse of merger talks between National Bank of Greece, the country's largest commercial bank, and Alpha Bank, the largest private financial institution in the country.

Besides heaping criticism on the government over the merger collapse, which he called a "fiasco", the ND leader indirectly called for the resignation of National Bank's state-appointed governor, Theodoros Karatzas.

Gov't: In a later reaction, government spokesman Christos Protopapas charged that Karamanlis failed to table even one proposal regarding what he called the major economic and social issues.

"He (Karamanlis) demonstrated that his party has no programs or positions," the spokesman said.

Protopapas added that the ND leader disregarded the "responsible stance" policy over foreign policy issues he unveiled in Parliament recently, returning to a "stance of disunity and polarity".

In response to Karamanlis' charge of "secret diplomacy", the spokesman merely noted that the ND leader should search for it during times when his party was in power.

[05] CoE Parliamentary Assembly approves resolution on Cyprus

STRASBOURG, 23/01/2002 (ANA - M. Psylos)

The majority of the Parliamentary Assembly approved the re-solution submitted by Hungarian deputy Andras Barsony on the situation in Cyprus.

The resolution which was approved by 93 votes in favor, four against and two abstentions, stresses that the conflict in Cyprus remains one of the most sensitive and most difficult problems for solution in Europe.

"There is increased pressure for the finding of a political solution to the conflict as the time is approaching for Cyprus' accession to the European Union," the Parliamentary Assembly's decision notes.

At the same time it stresses that "the political agreement between the two sides for the island's future is possible and desirable before Cyprus' accession to the European Union."

"We congratulate (Cyprus) President (Glafcos) Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader (Rauf) Denktash for their direct talks, in the presence of the U.N. Secretary-General's special adviser, and for their decision to continue the negotiations until a political solution is found," the decision said.

For the improvement of the dialogue between the two communities, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will henceforth call on representatives of the two sides to attend committees where issues of interest to them are discussed.

On the political situation in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, the Barsony report noted that "it is becoming even more uncertain" and the Turkish Cypriot community is becoming all the more isolated from the rest of the world and ignored by the international community.

The Council of Europe also calls on the Turkish Cypriot leader-ship to adopt a more positive stance towards the European Union and brief the Turkish Cypriot population regarding the benefits of EU accession.

The decision also calls on the guarantor powers - Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom - to play a constructive role so as to secure that the efforts by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will lead to positive results in the coming months.

In an indirect but clear reference to Turkey, the Council requests respect of all the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, which concern Cyprus.

It is indicative that the Parliamentary Assembly rejected a major amendment proposed by the Turkish deputies for the lifting of the embargo on the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state.

In the discussion, the head of the Greek parliamentary representation, PASOK deputy Theodoros Pangalos, expressed his full support to the Barsony report and said that what is important at present is Cyprus' accession to the European Union. He added that "if the developments in Cyprus continue in a positive direction, as we hope, Turkey will also be obliged to approach more closely the European Union and its principles."

On her part, New Democracy (ND) party deputy Dora Bakoyianni said that "the point that makes the difference is that the European Union has decided to accept Cyprus as its member without the political problem having been solved on the island and this has obliged Turkey to change its stance."

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also approved on Tuesday night an amendment, which calls on the European Union to create a mechanism for the export of products from the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus to EU member-countries.

The amendment, submitted by eight European deputies, calls on the EU as a contribution "to the building of confidence-building measures, to create, in cooperation with the competent Chamber of Commerce in the northern part of Cyprus, and if possible with the Chamber of Commerce in the southern part of Cyprus, a mechanism through which products and goods from the northern part of Cyprus will be able to be exported to the European Union without them being obstructed by the political differences between the two entities."

[06] Greece remains firm in policy towards Turkey

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

"The Greek government remains firm in its policy vis-a-vis Turkey," government spokesman Christos Protopapas said in reply to press questions prompted by a statement by Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit that the issue of the Aegean continental shelf should be settled through political dialogue.

Protopapas stressed that the main targets of that policy ought to be, and were, firm.

"Due to this policy, we brought Cyprus to the gates of EU accession. This policy will lead to solutions. We are the ones to choose where to wage our battles," the spokesman said.

As for the issue of delimitation of the Aegean continental shelf, Protopapas assured that "there is no change in our positions".

Ecevit, during his visit to the US last week, dismissed the eventuality of recourse by Turkey to the International Court at The Hague for the resolution of any differences Turkey believes it has with Greece, claiming that "the matter of the Aegean is not a legal issue but a political one."

Greek foreign minister George Papandreou had replied at the time that Greece considers that solutions to any Greek-Turkish difference are only legal ones.

"Ecevit may consider that solutions (to Greek-Turkish differences) are political but we consider them as being legal," Papandreou said in response to the statements made by Ecevit in Washington on Thursday.

Greece maintains that the only Greek-Turkish difference is that of the delimitation of the Aegean continental shelf and has repeatedly called on Ankara to refer the issue to The Hague.

[07] Gov't spokesman on deputy FM Zaphiro-poulos' resignation

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Protopapas said that Zaphiropoulos, "in the particularly honest manner that characterizes him", had set out the reasons for his resignation in his letter of resignation Monday to Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

To a flurry of questions on the expediencies that led to the resignation, Protopapas said that Zaphiropoulos had reiterated the same reasons to the government spokesman in their telephone conversation on Tuesday.

Zaphiropoulos, the deputy foreign minister responsible for international developmental cooperation issues, cited irreconcilable differences of opinion with Foreign Minister George Papandreou regarding the organization and implementation of policy regarding foreign economic relations and the Balkan Reconstruction Plan.

[08] Papantoniou visits air force squadrons on Limnos, Skyros

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Asked about the recent violations of Greek airspace by Turkey, the minister said that Greece was not worried and was dealing with the situation calmly, while remaining firm in the positions decided on by the Cabinet.

He attributed the rise in airspace violations by Turkish aircraft to an attempt by Turkey to create an artificial climate of tension.

[09] Turkish aircraft infringe air traffic rules in Athens FIR

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Greek fighter planes identified and intercepted the Turkish aircraft in all cases and in one case the interception process developed into an engagement.

[10] ND leader confident of victory in next elections

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

However, Karamanlis said he will not call for early elections despite tough criticism of the government because the opposition cannot ask for things it cannot impose.

Replying to the question of whether he fears elections with the current Foreign Minister George Papandreou as his possible opponent, Karamanlis said "I am not afraid, nor do we care which changes a party will make. However, it is not a question of persons but a question of policy and the government of PASOK is showing that it is ruled by a regime and arrogant mentality, while there are serious problems in day-to-day life."

Karamanlis warned that he will not accept any change in the election law, saying that "we do not trust the government and the prime minister and not even a discussion on them opening or managing issues of such a kind and for this reason we shall not participate in such a discussion. I have already told this to the relevant interior minister."

On the question of the October municipal and prefecture elections, Karamanlis said ND is not yet ready to announce its candidates, adding that the party will take the final decisions.

Referring to the issue of terrorism, Karamanlis said his party is interested in the crackdown on this unacceptable phenomenon. He further said that political seriousness, confidentiality and effectiveness is necessary and pointed out that ND will assist any serious effort.

Regarding the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and satisfaction expressed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Dennis Oswald, Karamanlis said it is certain that IOC officials should use the language necessitated by their capacity, but noted that ND is pressuring the government because there are delays and Greece should hold successful Games.

[11] Teachers call strike over new education bill

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Decisions on whether to go out on strike are pending from staff at the Athens and Patras TEI.

Inaugurating a technical school library on Tuesday, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou said that the bill referring to TEI schools could not be withdrawn.

[12] Road safety program producing spectacular results

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

This was disclosed during a press conference given on Tuesday by Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis and five deputy ministers from ministries responsible for the program's application.

According to data provided, the five-year program anticipates a 20 percent decrease in traffic accidents by 2005, while the decrease during the first year of its implementation reached 14.5 percent and the target for 2002 is a further 5 percent decrease to enable the five-year target to be achieved over the first two years.

Traffic accidents involving fatalities decreased by 8.3 percent and serious traffic accidents by 23.5 percent. The number of fatalities resulting from traffic accidents decreased by 9 percent, but deaths from traffic accidents continue to be the first cause of death for ages between 18 and 44.

However, fatalities were 192 fewer compared to figures for 2000, the seriously injured 963 less and slightly injured 3,438 fewer. The cost of treating the injured nears one trillion drachmas, while the social cost at family and national level is incalculable.

[13] Claim that Andreas Papandreou phones were monitored to be investigated

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Replying to press questions prompted by the report, Protopapas said that the newspaper article was referring to a "period far in the past".

He added, however, that the "necessary investigations" would take place in the authoritative ministries so as to ascertain "precisely what had occurred".

[14] President attends Athens Chamber of Commerce's reception

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Arriving at the reception, main opposition New Democracy party honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis said the Greeks can compete on an equal basis with the rest of the European partners in unified Europe.

However, Mitsotakis added that the delay in structural changes and the trade union mentality prevailing harm the economy "in a criminal manner" at this hour.

Responding to Mitsotakis' statements, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said it is very positive that ND is concerned about Greek society's competitiveness, adding that it is an issue located at the epicenter of the efforts of the Greek government, as well as of the Greek society and economy.

Tsohatzopoulos, on the occasion of the celebration, also called for participation in the new effort of the Greek people in this new era, which has begun in the eurozone.

[15] Finance minister wants EU initiative for southern countries

BRUSSELS, 23/01/2002 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)

Addressing a meeting of the 15-nation bloc's finance ministers in the Belgian capital, Christodoulakis said that Greece also supported the creation of a branch of the European Investment Bank in the region.

Christodoulakis also attended a meeting of eurozone finance ministers earlier in the day.

[16] Greek trade deficit up 1.0 bln euros in Jan-Oct

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

The EU's statistics agency said that the trade deficit was 16.6 billion euros in the same period in 2000.

The shortfall was the third largest in the European Union, following UK's 53 billion euros and Spain's 37 billion euros.

Germany recorded the biggest trade surplus at 52.7 billion euros, followed by Ireland with 22.8 billion.

Greek exports fell by 14 percent in the January-October 2001 period to 8.4 billion euros from 9.7 billion in 2000.

Imports fell by 2.0 percent to 25.9 billion euros from 26.3 billion over the same period.

Eurostat said the EU's trade deficit with the rest of the world was 600 million euros, sharply down from a shortfall of 7.6 billion euros in the first 11 months of 2000.

Eurozone's trade balance with the rest of the world showed a surplus of 5.5 billion euros, from a deficit of 200 million euros, over the same period.

[17] Gjirokaster mayor requests Greek electricity

GJIROKASTER, 23/01/2002 (ANA - P. Barkas)

A similar request has also been presented to Greek diplomatic authorities in Albania by ethnic Greeks in the country from various levels, while the mayor said there is no technical or other problem preventing this procurement.

Power failures have heightened in past days, while the ordinary consumer is provided with electric power six hours a day and primarily at night.

[18] Greek businesses, consumers adapted easily to euro, survey

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference to present the first Panhellenic survey on the euro introduction, Folias said that for both businesses and consumers adoption of euro currencies was a simple case.

The survey, conducted on a sample of 500 companies in the period between 15-18 January, revealed that 35.5 percent of consumers were slightly hesitant in using the new currency, while credit card use rose by 10.5 percent in the first two weeks of January.

Employees and consumers showed increased readiness during the first days of the euro circulation, with 58.6 percent of employees showing increased readiness and 41.4 percent were moderately prepared, and with 12.5 percent and 67.5 percent of consumers, respectively.

The report said that 41 percent of Greek businesses had been supplied with euro currencies in the period 27-28 December, with the majority of small enterprises (59 percent) during the first days of January.

[19] Athens, Belgrade bourses launch cooperation

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

The project also covers the formulation of market rules of operation for the Belgrade exchange, the Athens bourse said in a statement on Tuesday.

The aim of the project, which is to receive 1.8 million euros in funding, is to modernize the Yugoslav market and allow eventual unification of the two exchanges through the shared trading system, the statement said.

In addition, it will allow the Athens market to expand further into southeastern Europe, it added.

The agreement falls under Greece's reconstruction aid plan for the Balkans.

[20] Buying in small caps lifts ASE higher

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.76 percent higher at 2,563.17 points, with turnover a low Dr 44.5 billion, or 130.7 million euros.

The Food-Beverage and Retail sectors suffered losses (0.73 percent and 0.02 percent, respectively), while the Textile, Cement and Publishing sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.91 percent, 1.67 percent and 1.27 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.71 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.45 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.18 percent higher.

National Bank's shares rose 1.61 percent and Alpha Bank's shares ended 0.31 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 237 to 85 with another 38 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Medicon, Piraeus Bank, Sex Form and Alpha Bank.

Bond Market Close: Prices drop in moderate to heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in moderate to heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.23 percent, and the spread over German bunds was 35 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 2.0 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for over half of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures narrow their discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange narrowed their discount in slim trade on Tuesday, tracking a rise in the main market and outperforming their underlying indices.

Changing hands were 3,515 contracts on turnover of 22.2 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.71 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.45 percent.

Among individual equity futures, Panafon was the most heavily traded contract for the second straight session.

[21] IOC points to 2004 transports, accommodation concerns; progress cited elsewhere

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

The IOC's vice-president and head of a commission gauging progress for the Athens Games, Denis Oswald, cited the two "concerns" during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday, almost two months since the last IOC delegation visited Greece for a wide-ranging tour of worksites, talks with the Greek government and the Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC).

"We are considering the situation at risk until the beginning of the Games ... According to the timetables everything is on time, but there is no reserve time," the Swiss IOC executive said during a one-hour press conference in downtown Athens.

However, Oswald said progress in terms of venue construction and the Olympic Village is proceeding on schedule, although "no reserve days" are available if delays materialize.

Before the press conference, talks with several 2004-related ministry leaderships were again on the IOC delegation's agenda.

The six-member IOC inspection team's visit was the last before the Lausanne-based organization’s attention focuses squarely on next month's 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, while a full commission delegation will again return to Athens in April.

Meanwhile, ATHOC's high-profile president, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, sidestepped a handful of press questions dealing with a latest round political bickering between the government and the main opposition party over preparations for the Games.

"I would like to stress that the sense of urgency is now more apparent than ever. There are only 934 days until the opening ceremony of the Games and less than eight months until the first test event, the sailing event at Aghios Kosmas," Angelopoulos-Daskalaki stressed at one point.

"It is true that Olympic preparation has progressed since last November. This does not mean we should slow down. There are still pending and open issues, which should be addressed soon," she added.

In terms of accommodations, Oswald said there has been "hardly any progress" since his last visit in November, with a 2,800-room deficit still looming for the extended "Olympic family". He also reiterated that additional rooms will be needed to host the thousands of tourists and visitors wishing to attend the Games, offering May 2002 as an unofficial "deadline" for the start of new hotel construction.

Along those lines, IOC chief Jacques Rogge's successor on the coordination committee for the Athens 2004 called on the Greek government to streamline bureaucratic obstacles for building new hotels and to offer more incentives.

Transports: Concerns over transportation during the Games in the densely populated Greek capital mainly centered on a very recent decision by the government to nix two out of three projected overpass bridges on the main road artery - Kifissias Avenue - connecting the main Olympic complex (OAKA) with downtown Athens and the southern suburbs, as well as feared delays in the delivery of rolling stock for a new suburban rail line and a tram network.

Conversely, both Oswald and Angelopoulos-Daskalaki cited progress ahead of schedule for the all-important Olympic Village.

"It is never easy to organize Olympic Games, even in the previous Games ... we cannot consider that the image (for the Athens Games) is not positive," Oswald concluded.

[22] Minister discusses Ikarus performance with film director

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

The performance will be presented simultaneously at the ancient theatre in Epidauros, the old airport at Hellenikon and in Naples, Italy.

[23] Earthquake rocking Crete, Rhodes stronger than previously calculated

Athens, 23/01/2002 (ANA)

According to the Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute the earthquake measured 6.6 on the Richter scale, instead of 5.9 on the Richter scale as was previously calculated. Initially the calculations were based on the Athens and Thessaloniki Geodynamic centers, but as more data from the rest of the country came in it became apparent that the quake was much stronger.

The quake hit at 6:54 a.m., about 380 kilometers southeast of Athens, with its epicenter being in the sea region between the islands of Astypalea and Kos at a depth of 104 kilometers below the seabed.

Geodynamic Institute director George Stavrakakis told ANA that the trembler was most likely the main shock, adding that no aftershocks have been recorded yet (at press time).

[24] Cyprus government spokesman denies Turkish press reports

NICOSIA, 23/01/2002 (CNA/ ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou also denied claims in the Turkish media that Clerides and Denktash have agreed to do away with titles and flags and create a "new state."

"I would like to deny categorically these press allegations, no such agreement was made," Papapetrou told his daily press briefing, adding that "the position of the Greek Cypriot side is that it is seeking to transform the Republic of Cyprus from a unified state to a federal one, and not create a new state."

A report in the "Turkish Daily News" alleges that a Greek Cypriot source has briefed the Greek Cypriot media that President Clerides and Denktash have agreed to focus on the creation of a new state.

Furthermore, the paper claims this to be an "important" development, because according to the allegations, this is the first time such a position is outlined by a Greek Cypriot official.

The spokesman denounced as unfounded another claim in the same report carried by TDN to the effect that Clerides and Denktash agreed at a dinner the President hosted for Denktash on 29 December, 2001, to put aside titles, flags and statehood and proceed with the creation of a "new state."

"These claims are a figment of imagination and I want to stress that at the dinner on 29 December the only topic of discussion was the issue of missing persons as a humanitarian issue," Papapetrou said, pointing out that "no discussion on the Cyprus question took place."

The president and Denktash are currently engaged in direct negotiations, under UN auspices, with a view to finding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question.

[25] US Ambassador welcomes direct talks

NICOSIA, 23/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Bandler met on Tuesday with President Clerides and said he discussed with him various issues, including direct talks. Asked to refer to the conclusions drawn so far from the talks, Bandler said only that "we are in the early stages."

"We welcome these talks and we think this is the best way to come to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem", he added.

[26] Turkey must meet its obligations, says Council of Europe

STRASBOURG, 23/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

"The Committee of Ministers reiterates the fundamental importance it attaches to member states respecting their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights and in particular their obligation to abide by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights," said the Committee in a reply to recommendations by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on honoring the obligations and commitments by Turkey.

"As regards more specific issues raised in the recommendations, the Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Assembly that with regard to the Loizidou case, paragraph two of the recommendations, it examined the situation following its third interim resolution, on 2-3 October and 4-5 December, 2001," it added.

The Court ruled in December 1996 that Turkey is in breach of Loizidou's right to enjoy her property in the areas of Cyprus Turkey occupies since its troops invaded the island in 1974. It also said Loizidou remains the legal owner of that property and Turkey is responsible for what happens in occupied Cyprus.

It called on Turkey to allow Loizidou access to her property and pay some 900,000 dollars in compensation. So far Turkey has refused to meet any of these obligations.

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