Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bank of Greece Gov. Papademos tapped as new ECB VP

[02] Euro-Med parliaments issue statement on Mideast violence

[03] EPP conference on western Balkans concludes in Thessaloniki

[04] Cem: Solution for Aegean 'easy', difficult for Cyprus

[05] ND leader again criticizes possible election law change

[06] Latest poll gives ND 8.4% lead over ruling PASOK

[07] Gov't: Komotini-border gas pipeline ready by late 2002

[08] Annual Greek Independence Day parade in Manhattan

[09] Memorial event in Thessaloniki for Holocaust victims

[10] Monument to fallen police officers unveiled

[11] Cook criticizes Turkish threats against Cyprus

[12] Christofias pays tribute to the victims of September 11

[01] Bank of Greece Gov. Papademos tapped as new ECB VP

OVIEDO, 15/04/2002 (ANA - D. Stamboglis)

Papademos, recently touted as the “favorite” for the position, succeeds Frenchman Christian Noyer. The other candidate for the post was Belgian economist Paul de Grauwe.

The new ECB vice-president was in 1947 in Athens. He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also received his doctorate in economics. Between 1975 to 1984 he served as a professor of economics at New York’s Columbia University. He has also served as a Federal Reserve Bank (US) expert.

Papademos was appointed as the vice-governor of Greece’s central bank in 1993, and governor in 1994. His research and scholarly work has mostly centered on issues dealing with macro-economic theory and policy.

The European System of Central Banks (ESCB) is composed of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks (NCBs) member-states.

National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, who represented Greece at the meeting, called Papademos' selection a significant moment for both the country and the Greek economy.

Simitis, New Democracy: Papademos' appointment immediately earned praise from Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

"I would like to express the government's great satisfaction, as well as that of every Greek citizen, for the election of Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papademos as the European Central Bank's vice-president.

"This is a historic decision, as it commends the efforts, course and results of our economic choices, ones that have led the country towards new horizons with favorable prospects for monetary stability, economic development and competitiveness within the European and international environment," Simitis said.

On his part, the economic sector head for main opposition New Democracy, George Alogoskoufis, also issued an announcement over the new ECB vice-president's appointment.

"New Democracy congratulates the Bank of Greece governor, Loukas Papademos, on his election as ECB vice-president," he said, adding that Papademos' selection marks both a personal triumph and a major success for Greece.

[02] Euro-Med parliaments issue statement on Mideast violence

CAIRO, 15/04/2002 (ANA - A. Makridis)

On his part, Kaklamanis stressed that the "international community has confirmed the legal rights of the Palestinian people with Yasser Arafat as their leader, and has also supported a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories in parallel with the safeguarding of its (Israel) security".

Among others, Euro-Med parliament representatives demanded that combatants respect the holy sites of all religions in the area, while expressing their legislatures' dissatisfaction with the latest spiraling violence in the Middle East.

[03] EPP conference on western Balkans concludes in Thessaloniki

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

EPP delegates also stressed that Balkan reconstruction must continue.

Several top European leaders, including EU Commissioners Loyola de Palacio and Chris Patten, EPP President Wilfried Martens, SE Europe Stability Pact special coordinator Erhard Busek, Greek main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and the leader of Bulgaria's Union of Democratic Forces, former FM Nadezhda Mihaylova, attended the conference.

Meanwhile, de Palacio - who holds the Commission's transportation and energy portfolio - met Friday evening with Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on the sidelines of the Federation of Northern Greece Industries' annual general assembly.

Afterwards, Tsohatzopoulos said talks touched on the linking of inter-European networks in the wider Balkan region, among others. They also reportedly discussed the possibility of EU financing for the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Turkey, as well as issues concerning power supply networks in the Balkans.

[04] Cem: Solution for Aegean 'easy', difficult for Cyprus

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

Cem's comments came in an interview published by the Athens financial weekly "Ependytis" over the weekend.

Among others, the Turkish FM was quoted as saying that Cyprus' pending EU accession could trigger a crisis if a political solution is not achieved on the divided island republic beforehand. He also warned that that Ankara would "act strongly" if Nicosia joins the 15-member bloc, without elaborating, however.

''If there is no agreement, and if there is a one-sided accession of one part of the island representing the whole ... then we will act strongly and energetically, and that will cause problems for all of us,'' he was quoted as stating.

A Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state illegally declared in 1983 on territories occupied by the Turkish military is recognized only by Ankara.

Athens recognizes only one difference in the Aegean, that of the delimitation of the Aegean continental shelf and proposes a recourse to the international court at The Hague.

[05] ND leader again criticizes possible election law change

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis was quoted in an interview published by the Sunday edition of the "Apogevmatini" daily.

Buoyed by recent polls showing ND ahead of ruling PASOK, he said he wants an upcoming New Democracy government to assume power with via a "majority social landslide".

Referring to speculation regarding changes to the election law, Karamanlis appeared negative, saying he does not trust PM Costas Simitis' government with altering election precincts or even implementing a "German model".

Moreover, he warned that proposed election law changes allowing for a more simple proportional system are merely a "lure" by the ruling party in order to absorb the left. Karamanlis added that PASOK's goal is to prevent the currently out-of-Parliament DHKKI party from fielding candidates in the next general elections; to prevent the small Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party from edging over the 3-percent threshold needed to enter Parliament, and finally, to "box in" the Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) electoral strength.

Finally, asked what decision ND will take during the scheduled 2005 presidential election by Parliament if it wins the previous general elections and doesn't favor a subsequent PASOK-backed candidate, Karamanlis said his party, both in the past and in 2000, proved "how much it respects the institution of the presidency."

Avramopoulos: Meanwhile, an interview by outgoing Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos was also published over the weekend, this time by the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Ethnos".

Among others, Avramopoulos, who founded his own political formation last year -the Movement of Free Citizens (KEP) -, said the current legal framework does not allow the mayor of Greece's capital to play a decisive role in hosting the upcoming 2004 Olympics. Along these lines, he forecast that the next Athens mayor will claim a more expanded role, "something that will lead to friction".

In answering the oft-repeated question of KEP's possible election cooperation with one or the other major party, he stressed that no such issue has been tabled.

KKE leader on upcoming local gov't elections: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga called on voters to shun the two major parties - ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy - in the upcoming municipal elections, during her tour of the Thessaly region over the weekend.

"The struggle against privatizations, for a public social security, health and benefits, and in opposition to the measures proposed by the government ... the struggle against the 'new world order' is the best preparation for one's vote to be cast with objective criteria, for both mayors and prefects that reject the role of playing the central government's clerk and the servant of private interests," she said.

[06] Latest poll gives ND 8.4% lead over ruling PASOK

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

According to results of a poll conducted by the MRB firm for New Democracy and completed on March 19, the main opposition party also posted high marks in terms of rallying supporters.

Specifically, 36 percent of respondents favored ND to 27.6 percent for PASOK. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, earned 5 percent, the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) 3.2 and the out-of-Parliament Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 2.4 percent. The newly formed Movement of Free Citizens (KEP), led by outgoing Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, polled around 4.3 percent of respondents' approval.

On the question of which party would win the elections if they were to take place over the upcoming weekend, 50.8 percent of respondents said ND, with 30.6 choosing ruling PASOK.

Regarding the question of which political leader is best suited as prime minister, ND leader Costas Karamanlis earned 40.1 percent to Premier Costas Simitis' 36.9 percent. The answer "neither of the two" garnered 20.6 percent.

In a similar MRB poll released last December the main opposition party was ahead of PASOK by 6.6 percent, while Simitis led Karamanlis by 1.9 percent in the "head-to-head" comparison.

The MRB poll preceded the latest violent flare-up in the Middle East and Prime Minister Costas Simitis' "prime time" TV appearance to field questions from five news anchormen.

[07] Gov't: Komotini-border gas pipeline ready by late 2002

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

"Our goal is to ensure a sufficient flow of natural gas for new production units until 2010-2015, before expanding it (pipeline) to other European Union countries," he said.

The Greek minister was in the northeastern Greek city to speak at an event entitled "Development for All; Employment for All".

A deal signed earlier in the month between Turkey's state-own pipeline company (BOTAS) and Greece's public gas corporation (DEPA) foresees negotiations for an initial purchase of 500 million cubic meters of natural gas annually, with 2005 as the goal for first deliveries to Greece via Turkey.

Both sides also signed a bilateral agreement to promote the linking of the two countries' natural gas and power networks, as well as their subsequent connection with networks supplying western Europe.

[08] Annual Greek Independence Day parade in Manhattan

NEW YORK, 15/04/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Several Greek Parliament deputies, the speaker of Cyprus' House of Representatives as well as distinguished Greek-Americans had earlier laid a wreath at the "Ground Zero" site in Manhattan, where the twin World Trade Center towers once stood.

A memorial service was also held at the site.

[09] Memorial event in Thessaloniki for Holocaust victims

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

Speakers made several addresses on Sunday at a memorial event for Holocaust victims at the city's synagogue, most with references to the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressed that the memorial service at the synagogue offers the best venue from where to send a message to Israeli PM Ariel Sharon that he should respect the international community and UN Security Council resolutions.

Wreaths from the small Jewish community in Thessaloniki, local and government officials, organizations and by the German consulate were laid at the Holocaust memorial in the city's center.

[10] Monument to fallen police officers unveiled

Athens, 15/04/2002 (ANA)

Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis also attended the ceremony.

Stephanopoulos later toured the headquarters' various crime labs.

[11] Cook criticizes Turkish threats against Cyprus

LONDON, 15/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to CNA, Cook expressed hope that ''Ankara will not take such a step'' and added that Britain and the EU ''want to see a solution to the problem of Cyprus. We do not want to see the division made deeper and more difficult to remove for the future. It is not in the interest of people living in the north of Cyprus that this should happen,'' Cook added.

Asked about the importance of 1999 Helsinki's European Council conclusions, which say that a political settlement would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the EU Cook said that was ''a very important gain for Cyprus.''

He also noted that ''it would be unfair to the people of Cyprus if their application for membership were to be judged by an issue on which they themselves had no immediate control.''

''Because'', he added, ''they can resolve the division of the island only if there is progress and agreement with other parties. The other parties should not be given any veto whether or not Cyprus should become a member of the EU'', Cook said.

Turkey, also a candidate country for EU membership, has warned the EU not to accept a divided Cyprus in its ranks, saying Ankara's response to such eventuality would be without restraint.

[12] Christofias pays tribute to the victims of September 11

Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias paid Friday tribute to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in the US and condemned all terrorist actions.

Christofias who visited the site where the World Trade Center once stood, known as ''Ground Zero'', said that all people of Cyprus suffer from the state terrorism of Turkey, which has been occupying 37% of Cyprus' territory since 1974 and that both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are pursuing a peaceful solution to the Cyprus question and the reunification of their common country.

On Thursday Christofias had separate meetings with Archbishop of America Demetrios and New York Governor George Pataki, and discussed with them, inter alias, the Cyprus issue.

Christofias briefed Demetrios on the latest developments in the Cyprus question while Demetrios briefed the House President on the meetings he recently had in Washington with US President George Bush and other officials.

Christofias and Archbishop Demetrios also discussed issues concerning Greeks living in the US and the Greek American's role for all national issues.

Christofias said they discussed issues ''that concern us both and first of all the Cyprus problem,'' and thanked Demetrios for his role in promoting the Cyprus question ''through the relations he and the Church maintain with the American administration.''

Demetrios described their discussion as ''constructive'' and ''substantive'' and noted that it was not irrelevant with issues, which concern the whole world, as religion and political freedoms, self-determination and people's potentiality for development.

He also wished for a speedy and just solution to the Cyprus problem.

During his meeting with Pataki, Christofias thanked him for his support to Cyprus' just cause and for his interest in the Cyprus question.

Pataki said he would visit Greece and Cyprus after the US state elections.

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