Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis calls for increased Greece-China trade volume

[02] President Stephanopoulos arrives in Australia

[03] ND leader says he will not request early general elections

[04] Greek envoy in the US says Greece supports anti-terrorism campaign

[05] Event held at U.S. Ambassador's residence in memory of victims of terrorism

[06] Parliament approves extension of operation of two U.S. radio stations

[07] Culture minister presents new sports bill

[08] Turkey cancels Efes military exercise in the Aegean

[09] Environmental campaign announced by V. Papandreou

[10] Souflias warns against ND 'let up' amid latest poll results

[11] Gov't denies 'trade off' with judge in German war reparations case

[12] FYROM Church to consider re-naming to 'Archdiocese of Ohrid'

[13] ND honorary president returns from U.S.

[14] Greek economic sentiment index up 0.4 pct in May

[15] New calculation of public debt painless, Finance Minister says

[16] Labor minister says social security reform bill tabled

[17] ND slams system for releasing 3rd CSF funds to small and medium businesses

[18] Posidonia 2002 opens its gates with record number of exhibitors

[19] Defense minister attends Navy gunboat launch at Skaramangas

[20] New Athens airport posts loss in first nine months of operation

[21] Yields rise in 240-mln-euro Greek T-note auction

[22] Greek stocks end lower in ASE

[23] Patriarch, Pope to sign pact on environmental protection in Venice

[24] EU Commission adopts report on twinning of schools

[25] First volume of 'Protato's Relics' presented

[26] President Clerides returns from Denmark

[27] Cyprus not worried about remarks of Danish premier

[28] Cyprus government to convey comments on UNFICYP report

[01] Simitis calls for increased Greece-China trade volume

BEIJING, 05/06/2002 (ANA – V. Mourtis)

In briefly addressing a seminar in Beijing on Greek-Chinese economic and trade relations, the Greek premier said both sides must also better promote cooperation in agriculture, tourism, biotechnology and telecommunications.

Moreover, Simitis referred to what he said was a “small miracle” by the Greek and Chinese economies.

With the smooth development of Greece-China economic relations and increasing bilateral trade volume in recent years, both countries have bright prospects in the field of economic and trade cooperation, he said.

In terms of cooperation for the Olympics, Simitis forecast that the upcoming Games in Athens (2004), and four years later in Beijing, open up a new field of opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

According to official Chinese figures, the Greece-China bilateral trade volume reached US$752 million in 2001, a year-on-year increase of 20 percent, with the trade balance overwhelmingly in favor of the Far East country. Greece mainly exports marble and fertilizers to China.

Afterwards, Simitis was received here by Li Peng, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC).

According to press reports, both sides said they were pleased over the momentum to develop bilateral relations and the promotion of cooperation in the economic and culture fields.

Loverdos addresses Greek-Chinese business forum in Beijing: Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos noted here on Tuesday that while Greek-Chinese trade relations are at a "good level", they are not at the "level we would desire and that we can reach".

The Greek official was speaking at a forum of Greek and Chinese entrepreneurs in the Chinese capital, as he is accompanying Prime Minister Costas Simitis on his six-day official visit to the People's Republic of China.

Loverdos' comments apparently pointed to the one-sided trade balance between the two countries, as Chinese exports to Greece are overwhelmingly larger than Greek exports to the significant Far East nation.

Regarding bilateral cooperation in the shipping sector, the Greek minister praised Beijing for its trust in Greek-owned vessels, while listing several Greek products that could be imported into China.

In terms of the upcoming 2004 Olympics in Athens and the subsequent 2008 Games in Beijing, he cited the need for joint cooperation, saying Greece was ready to work with Beijing.

[02] President Stephanopoulos arrives in Australia

MELBOURNE, 05/06/2002 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Stephanopoulos will be in Australia until the end of the week, visiting both Canberra and then Sydney, before departing for New Zealand on Sunday.

Shortly after his arrival on Tuesday evening local time, the Greek president addressed a large crowd gathered at Melbourne's Exhibition Building at an event organized by the Greek Consulate in Melbourne, where he was greeted with riotous applause by a rapturous audience.

He outlined Greece's current problems and struggles and its efforts to improve its position within Europe and also referred to a spate of major public works being carried out throughout the country, which he said were ''changing the face of Greece.''

He stressed that the political discord and poverty that had driven many people to emigrate from Greece in the post-war years - many of who had settled in Australia - were now a thing of the past.

The political competition between the parties occurred in a spirit of national unity, he stressed, and Greece was now the richest country in the Balkans instead of the poorest.

Addressing his mainly Greek audience (Melbourne's Greek-Australians number roughly 300,000), Stephanopoulos then turned to foreign policy issues, talking about the Cyprus problem, the ongoing difficulties in relations between Greece and Turkey, problems faced by the Greek minority in southern Albania and the outstanding problem with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the name issue.

Regarding the last, he stressed that relations with FYROM overall had improved and that Greek interests had invested large sums there.

''I believe the 'thorn' over the name issue will also be removed in time, so that relations between us will improve even more and no one can have designs on our Macedonia,'' he added.

Prior to Stephanopoulos, the gathering was addressed by representatives of Greek expatriate organizations, the Australian government and the Orthodox Archbishop of Australia.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis, who is accompanying the President, also delivered a greeting from the Greek government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis, as well as the political parties, in which he said that Greece placed great emphasis on organizing successful Olympics in 2004 and in promoting the idea of an Olympic Truce.

Upon his arrival in Melbourne, the Greek president met with the governor of the state of Victoria, while on Wednesday he will visit the Victoria parliamentary assembly.

His itinerary on Wednesday also includes an appearance at a Greek-Australian business forum, a visit to the Orthodox college of St. Ioannis and a meeting with the Victoria State premier.

Stephanopoulos is the third Greek president to visit Australia.

[03] ND leader says he will not request early general elections

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis, who was speaking in an interview with the Star television channel, said he wants the government to take the initiative and speed them up so that the ''lack of government'' will not be prolonged.

In the interview, given shortly before leaving for Brussels and the United States, Karamanlis said he is not asking for elections because he cannot impose them, adding that ''for this reason I have avoided this so far.''

Karamanlis said he will present a legislative settlement in Parliament on the optional listing of religion in identity cards and accused the government of lying that its removal is imposed by the European Union.

He further said that his party's taxation program will be announced in the second half of 2002, as well as other parts of the party's program. He also disclosed that the program for the first 80 days of his government is being finalized now.

Karamanlis added that priority will be placed on the re-establishment of public administration with the enactment of rules joining the meanings of hierarchy and evaluation of incentives and consequences for employees in the public sector.

On the question of Cyprus, Karamanlis said ''the EU cannot accept a country which will be a double-headed confederal solution. It is out of the question.''

He said that in principle he is opposed to an alternating presidency, but added that what is important is safeguarding a unified image. Meaning a unified federation composed of two federal states, while noting that a bizonal solution is not a position of his own.

[04] Greek envoy in the US says Greece supports anti-terrorism campaign

WASHINGTON, 05/06/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Philon, who will depart for Greece in about two weeks as his tenure here is coming to an end, stressed that both the government and the opposition, as well as the vast majority of the Greek people, stood by the U.S., following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and since then there has been close cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The interview was aired live and the Greek ambassador took questions from television viewers, some of whom were Greek-Americans and expressed their bitterness for some anti-American reactions in Greece.

Philon responded that those reactions were voicing the opinions of a very small minority, which in no way express the majority of the Greek people.

The Greek ambassador also spoke of Greece's role in the European Union, the course of the EU's new currency the euro and efforts by Europe to become more effective and productive to be able to compete with the American economy.

He also spoke of the Cyprus issue, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Greece's relations with Israel and the Palestinians.

In a related development, the Washington Post daily newspaper called Philon an ''effective ambassador'' and made special mention of his television appearances during the war in Yugoslavia.

[05] Event held at U.S. Ambassador's residence in memory of victims of terrorism

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

''Democracy is a form of government which gives the opportunity to all to express themselves freely. The state should defend this freedom with its institutions and agencies in order for citizens not to feel insecure,'' Chrysohoidis said at the event.

He stressed that the government has decided to radically combat the phenomenon of terrorism and to actively support the families of the victims.

On his part, Petsalnikos stated that terrorism constituted the most vulgar violation of human rights and expressed the conviction that the answer will be given and that the results of the efforts made by the government to combat terrorism will be positive.

Also present at the event, among others, were candidate for Athens mayor and main opposition New Democracy (ND) party deputy Dora Bakoyianni.

[06] Parliament approves extension of operation of two U.S. radio stations

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Voting against the agreement were the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) who termed it as being ''politically unacceptable.''

On his part, Deputy Press and Mass Media Minister Telemachos Chytiris backed the agreement, stating that ''the situation has now changed in comparison to the period of polarization'' and that it would contribute to the preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

[07] Culture minister presents new sports bill

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

''The bill brings about big changes in sports and is distinguished by great severity. I am positive towards proposals which will be even stricter compared to what is mentioned in the bill. We want it to be valid before the beginning of the new season,'' Venizelos said.

He said the main points in the new sports bill concern transparency and enterprise in professional sports, penal, disciplinary and civil responsibility in professional sports, measures against doping, measures to handle phenomena of violence at stadiums, refereeing, settlements concerning amateur sports and other clauses.

[08] Turkey cancels Efes military exercise in the Aegean

ISTANBUL, 05/06/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

An announcement by the Turkish armed forces general staff said the decision was linked to ''international developments''.

This is the first time that the Efes war games, which take place in Turkish and international waters in the Aegean and simulate beach landings on islands, have been cancelled in 25 years.

[09] Environmental campaign announced by V. Papandreou

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The campaign was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, marking the International Environment Day and will be inaugurated with a series of events, which will begin on Wednesday and last until Sunday, at the Zappeion Hall.

"The environment is our common home and its protection should be our common conscience," Papandreou said.

Similar events to those of Zappeion Hall will take place in Thessaloniki in June 22-23.

[10] Souflias warns against ND 'let up' amid latest poll results

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Souflias, a top Larissa-area deputy in charge of the party's political planning section as well as a former minister, made the comments while addressing the first of several training seminars in Thessaloniki for ND cadres.

In other statements, Souflias said ND's lead is consolidating and even increasing, while charging that PASOK is "simply trying to hold on to power".

Finally, regarding Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos' high-profile announcement over the weekend of his decision to not seek office in the next elections, Souflias called the veteran PASOK politician "useful for the country's political life," despite the fact that he disagrees with Papadopoulos' decisions vis-a-vis the health sector.

[11] Gov't denies 'trade off' with judge in German war reparations case

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

"All this is nonsense, the moral integrity of the Supreme Court president is known to all," Chytiris said.

The government did not become involved in issues related to justice, he added, noting that a decision by a special supreme court was pending on this case.

[12] FYROM Church to consider re-naming to 'Archdiocese of Ohrid'

SKOPJE, 05/06/2002 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

The name change proposal was aired during meeting between delegations from the Orthodox Church of Serbia and the FYROM Church in the Yugoslav city of Nis last month, with the latter falling within the former's jurisdiction in exchange for an autonomous status vis-a-vis the Serbian Patriarchate.

The Archdiocese of Ohrid was the name used prior to 1967 and before the FYROM Church broke away from the Serbian Orthodox Church. However, the Skopje-based Orthodox Church in the years to follow failed to earn the official recognition of any other Orthodox Church in the world.

The FYROM Church's Holy Synod, meanwhile, is expected to again examine the issue on Thursday, following its earlier rejection 10 days ago in the midst of reactions and public opinion pressure.

Conversely, the Serbian Orthodox Church's Holy Synod has already accepted the proposal.

[13] ND honorary president returns from U.S.

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

On arrival at his home, he said he can continue his life at the same pace since his health has been fully restored.

Mitsotakis extended his gratitude to all who had shown sympathy in Greece, abroad and the United States for the problem he had been faced with and said it was moving.

[14] Greek economic sentiment index up 0.4 pct in May

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The EU executive, in its monthly report on economic sentiment in the European Union, said that the overall measure of economic sentiment rose to 99.8 in May, its highest since September 2001 when attacks on the United States dented sentiment and economic activity in the euro zone.

The economic sentiment index is a composite index, based on manufacturing sentiment (40 percent), consumer sentiment (20 percent), construction (20 percent) and retail (20 percent).

The index rose in six EU member-states (Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland and Italy), it fell in six (Denmark, Holland, Finland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK), while it remained unchanged in Germany and Austria. There are no figures for Luxembourg. Greece, Italy, Belgium and Spain recorded the highest monthly increases (+0.4 percent), while Portugal the biggest decline (-0.8 percent).

The economic sentiment index rose 0.1 percent in the EU-15 and increased by 0.4 percent in the eurozone.

The Greek index rise reflected increases in the manufacturing sector, consumers and construction and a decline in the retail sector in May.

[15] New calculation of public debt painless, Finance Minister says

LUXEMBOURG, 05/06/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of European Union finance ministers, Christodoulakis said that Greece did not have a basic problem with fiscal discipline.

He told the EU ministers that Greek growth rates would remain at satisfactory levels and that the government would shortly advance its privatization plan and reform of the social insurance system.

According to sources, smaller countries of the 15-nation bloc raised the issue of equal treatment for all member states by EU bodies. France and Germany are reportedly seeking a more flexible application of the Stability Pact in areas of their concern.

[16] Labor minister says social security reform bill tabled

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Reppas said the bill will lead to an economically viable and socially adequate social security system. He also said it has a social identity and will create a better climate in the economy and in society.

Referring to reactions, Reppas said it will be proved in Parliament that the government's view is the only substantiated proposal since no other integrated alternative solution has been tabled.

Reppas called on those who are reacting, noting that they have nothing in common between them, to stop insisting and to cooperate for the implementation of the new measures being enacted.

He said the ratification of the bill will open a new page in the history of social security, a new page in social and political development since it will create certainty and security for all working people and pensioners.

[17] ND slams system for releasing 3rd CSF funds to small and medium businesses

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

New Democracy's Economic Sector underlined the lack of unified planning or a single body to manage the funds, so that business people were unable to find out what they were entitled to.

ND's Economic Sector backed its claim by presenting written replies sent to its members on this issue by Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pachtas and Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Pachtas, on the one hand, said the finance ministry was preparing a system of small and medium businesses via the regional operational programs in which the banks would play a key role, in order to simplify the process of applying.

Tsohatzopoulos, on the other hand, pointed to his ministry's public information bureau, ministry web page, press announcements and promotional printed matter to argue that there was adequate information available on available programs to interested parties.

He also referred to the future creation of seven 'Intermediate Management Bodies' to "speed up the processes for all the activities related to subsidies to businesses".

According to ND's Economic Sector, these two replies indicated a divergence of views and different ways of handling the problem within the government.

[18] Posidonia 2002 opens its gates with record number of exhibitors

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The 18th Posidonia attracted a record number of exhibitors, a total of 1,600 from 80 countries around the world.

Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis, in his inauguration speech stressed that the ministry supported competitiveness and business activity in the shipping sector and the shipping profession. ''Sea transport must be more friendly to the environment,'' Anomeritis said, while he urged for a shift from ground transport to sea transport.

''Piraeus is the base of shipping, with 1,150 shipping enterprises in the city,'' Anomeritis said. He noted that the government would soon announce significant decisions that would change the city's and the harbor’s image.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Yiannis Lyras, president of the Union of Greek Ship owners, said that the Posidonia trade fair has been established as an international annual event and noted that Pireaus was the center of the world's largest shipping fleet.

A number of foreign officials attended the inauguration ceremony, among them were Mr. David Jamieson, the UK's Transport Minister, Mr. A. Neofytou, Communications and Public Works Minister of Cyprus, Mr. Joan Orbescu, Public Works, Transport and Housing Minister of Romania, Mr. Vincent Galea, Transport and Communications Minister of Malta, Mr. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Transport Minister of the Bahamas, and Mr. A. Joel Walton, Deputy Financial Secretary Cayman Islands.

[19] Defense minister attends Navy gunboat launch at Skaramangas

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The gunboat is named "Mahitis" and is the first of four to be built at Skaramangas in a program worth a total of 62 billion drachmas that will be completed in July 2003.

In statements after the launch, which was slightly delayed due to a minor technical problem, Papantoniou praised the role of the Skaramangas shipyards in the modernization of the Greek Navy and said that the ministry would continue to place large orders with them.

Asked if Greece planned to ask for NATO's assistance in organizing security for the 2004 Olympics, Papantoniou said no such plans had been made.

The public order and defense ministries, cooperating with security services from other countries, could adequately handle Olympiad security issues, he said.

[20] New Athens airport posts loss in first nine months of operation

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Management said in a statement that the losses were due to high spending on interest, including payments to banks and hefty amortization.

Turnover totalled 183.59 million euros, the statement said.

[21] Yields rise in 240-mln-euro Greek T-note auction

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The 26-week note issue, worth 75 million euros, saw its average weighed interest rate rising to 3.38 percent from 3.10 percent in the previous auction of same notes in February. Bids submitted totalled 90 million euros, while primary dealers were paid a commission of 0.25 percent.

The 52-week note issue, worth 120 million euros, saw its average weighed interest rate rising to 3.72 percent from 3.20 percent in the February auction, with bids submitted totalling 144 million euros.

The 13-week note issue, worth 75 million euros, saw its average weighed interest rates rising to 3.15 percent from 3.05 percent in February.

[22] Greek stocks end lower in ASE

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.93 percent down at 2,258.29 points, with analysts predicting that it would find support at the 2,250 level in the short-term.

Turnover was a low 79.9 million euros.

The IT sector was the only one to score gains (+0.02 percent), while the IT Solutions, Investment and Wholesale sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.26 percent, 2.05 percent and 1.72 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 1.80 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.88 percent and the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.83 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 307 to 25 with another 26 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Public Power Corporation, Hyatt, Cosmote, National Bank of Greece, and Hellenic Telecoms.

Equity index futures at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday ended lower in moderate trade.

Turnover was 81.2 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.83 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.88 percent.

Bond prices mixed in thin trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished mixed in light trade focusing on 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.45 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 29 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.2 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for just over half of trade.

[23] Patriarch, Pope to sign pact on environmental protection in Venice

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the symposium aims at highlighting the nagging problem of water pollution and its consequences for humanity.

The symposium, aboard the Minoan Lines' high-speed vessel "Festos Palace", will take place as the ship sails in the Adriatic towards Venice.

Additionally, Vartholomeos will officiate at a historic service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Venice, the first by a Patriarch in the famed "canal city" since the Great Schism of 1054. The Patriarch is also scheduled to sign a memorandum -- the so-called "Venice Pledge" -- with Roman Catholic leader Pope John Paul II over joint efforts by the two Churches to promote protection for the environment.

The Festos Palace will depart Greece's largest port of Piraeus on June 5.

Messages on World Environment Day: Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, on the occasion of Wednesday's World Environment Day, issued a message on Tuesday, saying ''our lifestyle being shaped is tragically friendless towards the environment and it is ultimately inhuman.''

Archbishop Christodoulos went on to say that ''everything is being done to make man run more with the so-called excuse that in this way he saves time and he is left with greater ground for personal life.''

He further said that ''this is an illusion since stress and running abandon him nowhere and he never stops feeling intense competition, undermining and exploitation.''

The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party said in an announcement that neo-liberalism as a model of economic growth and its globalization has also brought ecological disaster, apart from unemployment, economic instability and the impoverishment of big masses of people since it is using natural resources in the name of quick and immediate profit, while disregarding its future consequences for the planet.

[24] EU Commission adopts report on twinning of schools

BRUSSELS, 05/06/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

According to the Commission's report, which was adopted on Tuesday, all schools of the Union should be twinned with others of Union member-states by 2006.

This report will be tabled in the Seville Summit of the Union due in June 21-22.

The Commission stressed that a precondition for the success of this aim is the procurement of one computer per 15 students in every one of the 150,000 schools of the Union, thus funding starting at 1,500 euros and reaching up to 10,000 euros will be given to schools that decide to be twinned with another school of the Union.

This funding will cover expenses for visits of teachers and students to each other's schools and for the maintenance of equipment.

[25] First volume of 'Protato's Relics' presented

Athens, 05/06/2002 (ANA)

Among others, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis attended the event.

Father Ioannis, a monk and secretary of the Holy Community, referred to the contents of the first volume, saying that the Holy Community appealed to acknowledged Greek experts for its excellent appearance.

[26] President Clerides returns from Denmark

LARNACA, 05/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at Larnaca Airport, the president also said Rasmussen was replying to a question on ''border problems'' that did not refer especially to the Cyprus problem but to the fact that some candidate for accession to the EU countries of Central Europe had such problems with neighboring states.

''The prime minister repeatedly stressed'' that a solution to the

Cyprus problem, although it would be an advantage, was ''not a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the EU'', the President noted.

He said the prime minister's answer was that the Union would be reluctant, which ''does not mean that they will not'' accept Cyprus as a member.

President Clerides said Rasmussen congratulated him on the stance the Greek Cypriot side is maintaining at the direct talks to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The president and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash launched direct talks in January, with a view to negotiate until they solved the problem.

Regarding Turkish threats around Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to a settlement, President Clerides said ''the prime minister stressed that Europe would not allow Turkey to have any veto on issues regarding our accession course''.

Asked if during his talks in Denmark it was made clear that the country, which will be holding the rotating EU presidency during the second half of 2002, was promoting Cyprus' accession, President Clerides said his conclusion was that the Danish presidency would be promoting all ten candidacies.

[27] Cyprus not worried about remarks of Danish premier

NICOSIA, 05/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman also said that clarifications Anders Fogh Rasmussen gave to President Glafcos Clerides with regard to his statements made it clear that the message he wished to convey was directed at the Turkish side.

Papapetrou stressed several points Rasmussen made to the effect that Denmark will adhere to the enlargement timeframe, it will work with the ten most advanced applicant countries, including Cyprus, towards enlargement, which is one of the priorities of the Danish EU rotating presidency (Denmark assumes the presidency on July 1).

Papapetrou highlighted Rasmussen's remark that the EU Helsinki decision is still valid and that the non-solution of the political problem in Cyprus is no hindrance for the country's accession.

In Helsinki the EU said a political settlement in Cyprus (to end the division of the country as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion) would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition.

The spokesman said that the statement that the security situation will be taken into consideration when the EU decides on Cyprus' accession should be seen in the context of all the views Rasmussen expressed.

He said Rasmussen explained that in his reference to the security situation he was alluding to Turkey's attempts to prevent Cyprus'

accession, prior to a solution.

[28] Cyprus government to convey comments on UNFICYP report

NICOSIA, 05/06/2002 (CNA/ ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Tuesday that in his ''descriptive'' report, UN chief Kofi Annan tries not to create problems in the process of direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, launched in mid-January with a view to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

Papapetrou spoke of ''serious omissions'' in the report, such as the absence of any reference of the government's proposal to clear mines in the buffer zone.

''The report is basically descriptive, it has a general and vague character, and there is an apparent effort not to stir anything or create any problem'', Papapetrou said.

The Cypriot official referred, however, to two positive points. One is that the UN chief continues to hold Turkey responsible for the status quo in Varosha and reaffirms that UNFICYP's operations are impeded by the restrictions imposed on it by the Turkish armed forces and the Turkish Cypriot ''authorities''.

Papapetrou stressed that there were a few serious omissions, as there was no mention of the very important initiative of the Cypriot government to clear mines, according to which two minefields were lifted and preparations were being made to remove mines in Pyla.

''It is obvious that the authors of this report had in mind the talks and the next moves to follow'', he said.

The spokesman considers ''inadequate'' the manner in which the report describes the very important good will initiative on behalf of the Cyprus government to accept the destruction of the Czechoslovak weapons bought by the Republic and until recently in UN safekeeping.

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