Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't announces 2002 incomes policy

[02] FM meets Spanish counterpart

[03] FM Papandreou to attend EU-Islamic Conference Organization meeting in Istanbul

[04] New deputy FM for int'l developmental cooperation sworn in

[05] FM briefs opposition parties on premier's US visit, nat'l issues

[06] Protopapas comments on relations with Turkey

[07] Gov't advances rural growth policy using EU, national funds

[08] Public Order Minister to visit London on Thursday

[09] Russian envoy meets with Giannitsis

[10] Spokesman denies reports of friction within ruling PASOK

[11] Modern European Turkey is in the interests of peace and stability in the region

[12] Deputy FM receives Turkish envoy on courtesy call

[13] KKE leader criticizes election cooperation proposal by both PASOK and ND

[14] Greek and FYROM health ministers hold working meeting

[15] U.S. envoy meets Parliament president

[16] Former French president to visit Denmark and Greece

[17] Request for debate on social insurance by 45 PASOK MPs

[18] PM attends discussion on modernization

[19] Protesting farmers cut off Thessaloniki-Moudania nat'l highway for one hour

[20] Protopapas comments on demands of farmers, doctors and teachers

[21] Gov't repeats need for privatization of Olympic Airways

[22] Gov't to eliminate disincentives to tourism investment

[23] Greek companies ill-prepared but willing to adopt IAS

[24] USB Warburg remains "hold" with National, Alpha

[25] Greek-Turkish Chamber to present study on Thursday

[26] Merchant marine minister presents new draft legislation

[27] Buying in blue chips lifts ASE higher

[28] Gov't mostly pleased with latest IOC inspection

[29] PM briefed by ATHOC head on Olympics preparations, IOC visit

[30] Three ATHOC officials in charge of construction resign

[31] 113 treasures of Greek antiquity will travel to Berlin

[32] Clerides, Denktash meet for third time in context of direct talks

[33] Cyprus makes representations to US Embassy

[34] Vassiliou to attend negotiators' meeting in Czech Republic

[35] PACE adopts resolution on ECHR rulings

[01] Gov't announces 2002 incomes policy

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference with ADEDY civil servants' union representatives, Floridis said the government would pay a special benefit of 60,000 drachmas to 120,000 civil servants, a move that would burden the state budget by 62 billion drachmas this year. The benefit will be paid in two equal trenches.

Floridis also announced that the government would start paying a family benefit to both spouses from July 1, 2002.

He said that the government's income policy was aimed to redistribute the national income in favor of employees with more needs and to satisfy their just demands.

Floridis said the government was also seeking to achieve real wage converge with the hard core of the European Union, although he acknowledged that "this was a long road."

Civil servants' union representatives said that the union's stance would be determined on the decisions made by the government over plans to promote a single payroll in the wider public sector, and noted that the government's base pay increases did not meet fully union demands.

Opposition parties criticize government's incomes policy: Opposition parties criticized the government on Wednesday on announcements it made on its incomes policy and spoke of a mockery and one-sided austerity.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said increases announced in the framework of incomes policy are a provocation and mockery, adding that they cover neither the major losses in income of past years nor the increase in inflation in 2002.

KKE further said that "the harsh class image of the PASOK government can be seen once again. All the government measures ultimately aim at curbing the consequences of competition for businesses and for capital, increasing the exploitation of working people."

Coalition of the Left and Progress party member, responsible for economic and social policy, Dimitris Papadimoulis spoke of the undermining of public administration modernization and one-sided austerity for working people.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said "with this meager and harsh incomes policy, the government is confirming its neo-liberal image."

[02] FM meets Spanish counterpart

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Following his meeting with Papandreou, Pique expressed the intention of the Spanish European Union presidency to do everything possible so as to complete the soonest possible the discussions concerning the final settlement of EU-NATO relations with regard to European security and defense policy.

Replying to questions by journalists concerning the British non-paper and the positions of the Spanish EU presidency around this issue, Pique did not wish to give details, restricting himself to reconfirming that he is familiar with the Greek positions and that "we will do everything possible so that the positions will be able to converge and for us to have results."

The Spanish foreign minister called for "flexibility by all so that we will be able to achieve a mutually acceptable result," clarifying that the Spanish presidency "does not have strict positions" and that what it is interested in is for the issue to be settled as soon as possible so that the European security and defense policy can be strengthened and implemented.

Asked whether he intends to visit Turkey, Pique said that Ankara is not included in this round of capitals but he announced that he will visit Turkey within the framework of the inter-religious meeting which will be held in mid-February with the participation of the EU member-countries, the EU candidate countries and the Islamic countries.

In reply to a question regarding the progress existing in the implementation of the EU-Turkey partner relationship, Pique said that it is important for Turkey to bring closer to the EU its social and economic structures, describing all the process as "difficult and time consuming, but definitely important."

Furthermore, the Spanish foreign minister said that "we are at a difficult phase of pre-screening and we are making an effort to pass to the stage of a strengthened pre-screening." He added, "we are proceeding slowly but we are proceeding," stressing that progress does no depend only on the goodwill of the EU but also that of Turkey.

Earlier, Papandreou termed as ambitious the program of the Spanish EU presidency presented to him by Pique and which includes six basic priorities. Papandreou noted that he discussed with his Spanish counterpart two main issues, that of the Cyprus problem and the common European security and defense policy.

With regard to the Cyprus question, Papandreou said that he discussed with Pique the course of talks in Cyprus and that they both wished for a good outcome of these talks.

Papandreou announced that he will also raise the issue for discussion at the EU Council of General Affairs on Monday and reiterated that "we desire the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EU and the accession of a united Cyprus in Europe." He underlined that "this however will depend on the outcome of the talks on the Cyprus issue.

The Greek foreign minister also said that the Spanish EU presidency will continue its accession negotiations with the candidate countries.

[03] FM Papandreou to attend EU-Islamic Conference Organization meeting in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, 24/01/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The conference is to be held February 12-13.

According to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, Greece's ambassador in Ankara Ioannis Korantis has informed the Turkish foreign ministry of Papandreou's attendance at the conference.

[04] New deputy FM for int'l developmental cooperation sworn in

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Loverdos, a lawyer and university professor with post-graduate studies in European law, was sworn in by Bishop Theologos of Salona before President Costis Stephanopoulos and in the presence of prime minister Costas Simitis.

He replaces Yannis Zaphiropoulos, who resigned from the post on Monday citing differences of opinion with foreign minister George Papandreou.

[05] FM briefs opposition parties on premier's US visit, nat'l issues

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

After the one-hour meeting, Samaras expressed his concern over the sincerity of Turkey's intentions, and on the Euro-army.

Samaras noted, inter alia, that the basic problem was what price Greece was being asked to pay so as to ensure a civilized and democratic conduct by Turkey.

Democratic Social Movement leader: Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said on Wednesday Foreign Minister George Papandreou's initiative to brief party leaders and parties on developments on national issues and Prime Minister Costas Simitis' recent visit to the United States is positive.

Tsovolas, who met Papandreou for about an hour, said the national issues are at a crucial phase, adding that Turkey is attempting to create a status quo beyond the principles of international law.

He further said that a confederation solution in Cyprus should not be accepted because it will constitute the beginning of joint sovereignty in the Aegean.

[06] Protopapas comments on relations with Turkey

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

The spokesman said that the current period was particularly sensitive as a result of Greek efforts in support of its interests, and that it was natural for problems to arise at such times.

"We will not allow the Turkish side to change our priorities," he added.

In response to questions, Protopapas said it was natural for the Turkish side to attempt to shift attention to different issues but "Greece would not make the mistake of following Turkey's policy."

[07] Gov't advances rural growth policy using EU, national funds

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

"Funds that the government has ensured for the period until 2006 from the EU and the state budget are unprecedented in relation to the past," Simitis said.

The government's policy for rural areas aimed to boost economic, social and cultural growth, offering greater security and prestige, he noted.

Beyond deterring the flight from rural areas, the government wanted to attract working people to the countryside, especially the young, so that they could find work or launch businesses there.

Furthermore, an improvement in the quality of life should apply to the countryside as well as urban areas, the prime minister said.

In addition, the government would set up a scheme to offer farmers subsidized access to holidays and the arts under a system that already existed for lower-paid urban workers.

Finally, the prime minister pledged that the government would ensure greater progress in improving state services for rural inhabitants, including health; and speed up the payment of grants, compensation and pensions in the countryside.

Agricultural Minister George Drys, who attended the meeting, told reporters that the committee of ministers and other officials would act as a key tool in coordinating government rural growth schemes.

Projects for 2002 would be debated in detail in two months, Drys added.

[08] Public Order Minister to visit London on Thursday

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

During his visit, Chrysohoidis is to meet UK Home Secretary David Blunkett, undersecretary Ben Bradshaw, the chief of the metropolitan police force and others.

He will also visit Scotland Yard for a briefing on technological training in preparation for the Olympics.

[09] Russian envoy meets with Giannitsis

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

[10] Spokesman denies reports of friction within ruling PASOK

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

"We will not do anyone of the favor of returning to the pre-congress era," the spokesman stressed.

[11] Modern European Turkey is in the interests of peace and stability in the region

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Speaking on "The future of Europe and Turkey" at a day-seminar organized by the Hellenic Center for European Studies, Yiannitsa noted that at the EU summit in Laeken, premier Costas Simitis had backed Turkey's participation in the EU Constitutional Convention on shaping the future of Europe because Greece believed that Turkey belongs in Europe and must, by achieving the suitable progress in all sectors, approach the EU.

Turning to Greek-Turkish relations, Yiannitsa spoke of the opportunity being presented to the two sides for a "historic transcendence", adding that under a regime of tension and lack of cooperation there would be instability and insecurity whereas the serious prospects for Turkey had already opened up, but the "path" still needed to be confirmed.

Yiannitsa further referred to proposals made public concerning the EU's future form. "The fact that we are discussing about a union of peoples is based on a commonly accepted model focusing on the principles of transparency, democracy and solidarity. Any other type of proposal alters the nature of the EU and does not contribute to the vision of European integration," he explained.

Yiannitsa added that the problem of Europe's future was not being brought up for the first time, but in view of the 15-nation bloc's imminent enlargement it was being placed on a more pressing basis.

"It is a process of European globalization, which will ensure greater stability for our economies and better conditions of growth and prosperity," he said.

Yiannitsa warned that the EU must not become identified as a "Europe of funds and meager abilities", because "we have ahead of us the deepening of the European values, with the ultimate target of integration proceeding".

[12] Deputy FM receives Turkish envoy on courtesy call

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Magriotis told the Turkish ambassador that he will be visiting Istanbul next week, while during his visit he will be received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and meet with expatriate agencies and Turkish businessmen.

On his part, Alpogan told Magriotis that he will work for the further improvement of relations between the two countries and that Turkey's main target is its European perspective, the announcement said.

[13] KKE leader criticizes election cooperation proposal by both PASOK and ND

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

She accused PASOK of attempting to trap parties of the left in accepting the policies of the government, by cooperating in the tickets for the local government elections.

"Thus the policies of PASOK will be vindicated, thus there will be a kind of tolerance with election dividends for the local government. There is record of its (PASOK's) cooperation with the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos)," Papariga said.

Speaking about ND, she noted that "its talking of minimizing the green (PASOK) mayors at any cost so as to create a climate of victory for the next national elections".

She concluded by stressing that the "double talk" of both major parties is in line with their aims and their general targets, as both are attempting to increase tensions in the confrontation between them.

[14] Greek and FYROM health ministers hold working meeting

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

The two ministers agreed on cooperation between the two countries in the health sector and more specifically on epidemic surveillance, the handling of infections, staff training and public health protection.

The method of cooperation will become more specific in a new meeting between delegations from the two countries in FYROM, which a group of scientists from the health ministry will be visiting following an official invitation from Danilovski.

Papadopoulos later said their discussion was extremely substantive, adding that the two countries are determined to widen their cooperation at all levels.

Danilovski said "it is the first time I am visiting Greece as a minister and having a meeting with Mr. Papadopoulos. I am satisfied because we have common philosophy on handling health issues and we want to undertake common initiatives."

[15] U.S. envoy meets Parliament president

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

The program had intimated that attitudes toward fighting terrorism in Greece were lax and had featured an interview with Kaklamanis that he claimed had been taken out of context.

Miller had underlined that the views expressed in the news program were not and did not express the views of the American government but personal views of its former employees, the press release said.

The meeting took place a few days after Prime Minister Costas Simitis returned from his trip to the United States two weeks ago and focused on issues of bilateral interest and further cementing friendly ties between Greece and the US.

[16] Former French president to visit Denmark and Greece

BRUSSELS, 24/01/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

In the framework of his tour of European capitals to prepare the assembly, d'Estaing will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin on Thursday, while his next stops will be London, Copenhagen and Athens. He has already visited Madrid and Rome.

Talks with European leaders aim at an "exchange of views" on processes for holding the assembly to prepare the EU's institutional reform in light of enlargement.

The Constitutional Assembly is comprised of 105 members, representatives of the 15 EU member-states, national parliaments, the European Parliament, the European Commission and candidate countries.

[17] Request for debate on social insurance by 45 PASOK MPs

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

The MPs, including several former ministers, made the proposal in letters sent to the PASOK parliamentary group presidency, PASOK party secretary, Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

They asked that either the PASOK parliamentary group or the party's Parliamentary Labor and Social Affairs Sector be convened to discuss the issue, while they also included a number of recommendations and suggestions on the final form of a fair system.

Social insurance issue a political priority for government: The social insurance issue is a political priority for the government and for ruling PASOK, Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas said on Wednesday, in light of a proposal tabled by 45 PASOK deputies on the issue.

"We will confront this issue, this is a declared position of the government and it is well known. (We will confront it) by submitting our proposals, with consensual processes, with the development of a fertile and honest dialogue between the social institutions and the political parties," Reppas said.

[18] PM attends discussion on modernization

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

The event was also attended by ministers and parliamentarians, while four university professors set out their views on the fundamental future target of Greece's real convergence with Europe.

Professor Yiannis Voulgaris analyzed the political concept of modernization, stressing that real convergence is more difficult now following Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

He said that modernization prospects depend on the ways of participation in the European sphere and the country's national modernization agenda.

He further said that the main question requiring an answer is whether the country will have a passive adjustment in Europe or will choose a continuous effort of reform.

[19] Protesting farmers cut off Thessaloniki-Moudania nat'l highway for one hour

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Some 100 tractors were lined along the highway at the point for Sozopoli, according to Federation of Halkidiki Prefecture Agricultural Associations vice-president Panayotis Tzouras.

The protestors spilled milk on the highway, and Tzouras told ANA that that was only the beginning, as larger demonstrations were being planned for Thursday.

Agriculture minister George Drys was due in Thessaloniki on Thursday afternoon to meet farmers' representatives.

Trikala farmers vote to take part in protests starting Monday: Farmer unions in Trikala voted to fully participate in new protest action by farmers starting next week, after a lengthy meeting at the Union of Farming Associations on Wednesday.

Among the demands raised at the meeting were the payment to farmers of subsidies for wheat, full compensation to farmers for weather damage and others.

ND spokesman on farmers' protests: Main opposition New Democracy party supports the "just demands" of the farmers and their mobilizations, but disagrees with the "form of mobilizations effected at the expense of other social groups", party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the ND coordinators chaired by party leader Costas Karamanlis, Roussopoulos said that although ND backed the farmers' just demands and protests, it disagreed with such forms of protests that were at the expense of other social groups, such as the closing off of roads.

Roussopoulos said that the payment of subsidies to the farmers, "which have delayed for many months" must be completed immediately, adding that the farmers' debts should be "frozen" until they were paid the compensation for their losses from natural disasters.

The ND spokesman said that the funds earmarked for these compensations were not adequate, recalling that the government had rejected an ND proposal that 20 billion dr. be earmarked for compensation for damage to production due to climatic phenomenon.

He also called on the prime minister to intercede personally to solve the farmers' problems and to try to achieve a solution through his intercession with the EU as well.

Roussopoulos said that farmers' incomes had shrunken by 23 percent since 1993, resulting in a decline in the farming population.

[20] Protopapas comments on demands of farmers, doctors and teachers

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Regarding farmers, Protopapas said the problems arose over the collection of cotton in Thessaly and the damage caused by the recent bad weather to crops.

With respect to cotton collection, the spokesman added, the normal procedure was being followed and all the regulations, specifications and commitments were being adhered to.

Crop damage due to the bad weather, meanwhile, had been promptly recorded and Agriculture Minister George Drys had already requested compensation due from the EU.

No single set of demands had been put forward by teachers, he said, and the education ministry was dealing with these case-by-case. The issue of teacher evaluations, Protopapas added, which triggered the most reactions was actually in the interests of teachers, children and the educational system.

Turning to strikes by doctors, the spokesman underlined that the goal of government reforms to the state healthcare system was to increase its quality.

The proposed reforms required the exclusive employment of university doctors within the state system, giving doctors alternative solutions. "This is an important clause that serves the philosophy of the system," Protopapas said.

[21] Gov't repeats need for privatization of Olympic Airways

Athens, 24/01/2002 (ANA)

Replying to a reporter's question, Verelis said that talks were still underway with Integrated Airline Solutions (IAS) of Australia in an international sale tender for Olympic.

IAS was shortly due to submit data on its financial condition for evaluation, he added.

The sale talks have a deadline one week from now.

Verelis also said that Olympic's managers had reduced the airline's operating costs by about 20 percent.

Credit Suisse First Boston, the government's consultant in the tender, has said that bids should meet the following criteria: