Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece's position on Euroforce ''understood in principle'', FM says

[02] Simitis to receive De Klerk, Mandela this week

[03] Greek and Cypriot DMs discuss defense doctrine

[04] Defense minister and ND MP Evert agree on policy

[05] Communist party delegation meets interior minister

[06] Gov't comments on ND's planned walkout from pensions bill debate

[07] Justice minister receives Danish counterpart in Athens

[08] Grenade attack reported at MP Fassoulas' office

[09] Public order minister on strategic plan for reduction of traffic accidents

[10] Parliament President meets ambassadors of South Africa, Brazil and Poland

[11] Journalists' union protests journalists' deportation

[12] Energy cooperation tops Tsohatzopoulos' agenda in Bosnia

[13] EU shipping ministers discuss security on passenger ships

[14] European Dynamics signs strategic deal with TRW

[15] Technical Olympic gets syndicated loan

[16] Greek bond market stable in May

[17] IOC President Rogge refers to preparations for Athens 2004 Olympic Games

[18] Chytiris to represent Athens at 2004-related events in London

[19] Medi-copter crashes on Anafi mountain

[20] Ecumenical Patriarch visits Hania prefecture on Crete

[21] Cyprus makes official representations to Britain

[22] UN top envoy to brief Annan on Cyprus peace talks

[23] National Council concludes discussion - decides to meet regularly

[24] Italy and Cyprus to sign two agreements

[01] Greece's position on Euroforce ''understood in principle'', FM says

LUXEMBOURG, 18/06/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Papandreou stressed that no satisfactory solution was found yet for the problem that stemmed from a text submitted to the EU by Britain, the United States and Turkey allowing Ankara to have a say in the role of the Euroforce, despite the fact that it is not an EU member-state.

The Greek minister underlined that the Spanish presidency of the EU, which is concluding its six-month term, will continue its efforts until the Friday-Saturday Summit.

''If a compromise solution is not found until that time, then the efforts will continue after the Spanish presidency as well,'' Papandreou said, while Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique confirmed that efforts were continuing and stated that Greece was showing an especially constructive stance.

The EU's foreign affairs' agenda also included efforts for the normalization of conditions in the Middle East, as the Summit of Seville will deal with the issue in light of proposals to be publicized by US President George W. Bush by then.

On the subject of the EU's institutional reforms, however, the meeting of the ministers did not seem to produce tangible results as most member-states, including Greece, rejected the indirect abolition of the power of member-states to veto decisions in summits. The ministers could also not reach a decision on proposals to divide the General Affairs Council into two parts, one dealing with the foreign relations of the EU and one dealing with the internal affairs of the EU's foreign policy.

Greece, with Deputy Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis opposed the separation of the council and proposed that the existing council should deal with all issues, but at different meetings.

Greece, Giannitsis said, understands that the EU will be cumbersome after the enlargement, which will raise the number of states to 25, but it cannot accept some of Solana's proposals.

Limits and changes to the EU's rotating presidency, proposed by European Commissioner on defense and security issues Javier Solana, were also handled in the same manner.

Discussing the issue of the enlargement process, Papandreou spoke of the European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen's positive intervention concerning Cyprus' accession.

Verheugen underlined the progress made by Cyprus on its course to enter the EU and spoke of the talks underway to resolve the political problem of the island republic. During a briefing of the ministers' council, Verheugen stressed that the European Commission's opinion was that whatever solution found for the Cyprus problem should be in accordance with EU principles and UN resolutions, adding that Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots should show a more constructive stance.

[02] Simitis to receive De Klerk, Mandela this week

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Earlier, the Greek premier will chair a meeting of the government’s communications committee.

On Wednesday, Simitis will receive former South African president Fredrik Willem De Klerk before a separate meeting with the latter’s successor and joint Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela. Simitis will also meet with Cyprus’ chief EU accession negotiator George Vassiliou on the same day.

A Cabinet meeting focusing on the issue of tertiary education as well as immigration policy is scheduled for Thursday.

Finally, Simitis is scheduled to depart for Seville on Thursday afternoon to participate in an EU summit.

[03] Greek and Cypriot DMs discuss defense doctrine

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

The two ministers stressed that Greece and the Republic of Cyprus insist steadfastly on the completion of Cyprus's accession process to the European Union, they are facing Turkish provocations with calmness and are prepared for any eventuality in the framework of the unified defense doctrine.

Papantoniou called on the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side to make adjustments to their policies for a solution to be found to the Cyprus issue, safeguarding the unity of the Cypriot state through a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Hasikos referred to the Turkish provocations the height of which is, as he said, the sending of 5,500 troops to Cyprus and who are continuing to stay on the island despite statements by the commander of the occupation forces that their transfer took place in the framework of an exchange.

Hasikos added that the unified defense doctrine is functioning in a preventive way and both countries are having very close cooperation and absolute coordination in their actions.

Sweden's deputy defense minister to arrive in Greece on Tuesday: Sweden's Deputy Defense Minister Yvonne Gustafsson will arrive in Athens on Tuesday on an official visit, following an invitation by her Greek counterpart Loukas Apostolidis.

The Swedish minister will head a delegation of officials from her country and will conduct talks with Apostolidis on issues of bilateral and multilateral concern, while the two deputy defense ministers will sign a military cooperation agreement.

[04] Defense minister and ND MP Evert agree on policy

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

After the meeting, Papantoniou said it was very significant that the two main parties were in agreement on national security and foreign policy, since this strengthened Greece's negotiating position on major issues.

Evert said that the unity among the political world multiplied its benefits both on the domestic front but more importantly abroad, sending out a clear message to friends and enemies that Greeks were not divided over foreign policy but united behind a single strategy.

[05] Communist party delegation meets interior minister

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Skyllakos said his party was concerned about the numbers of double entries in electoral rolls that had been revealed, and asked that the deadline for updating the new electoral rolls be extended beyond June 30.

He said his party would agree to legislation for such an extension.

Skandalidis welcomed KKE's interest in the problems arising during the updating of the electoral rolls, describing the delegation's visit as constructive.

"We will succeed at all costs," he added.

He ruled out extending the deadline, however, because all the electoral rolls had to be at the municipalities by August 30.

If by June 30 there were still people who could not find their name on the electoral rolls, he added, then there might be legislative measures to sort out these problems with the unanimous agreement of all the parties.

[06] Gov't comments on ND's planned walkout from pensions bill debate

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

New Democracy was opting for flight in the face of five difficult dilemmas, where it could neither vote for nor against the government's bill without appearing to conflict with itself.

Should it vote for the government measures, Protopapas noted, it would appear to withdraw support from the Sioufas bill, which ND claimed was the right solution for the country's social insurance problems. On the other hand, if it didn't support the bill on these points it would take the wind out of the sails of high-ranking ND members and their criticism of the government's reforms.

[07] Justice minister receives Danish counterpart in Athens

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Espersen requested the cooperation and proposals of her Greek counterpart, as Greece will undertake the EU rotating presidency from Denmark in the first half of 2003.

The two ministers placed at the top of their agenda the introduction of measures to combat cross border crime, narcotics trafficking, the sexual exploitation of women and the confrontation of terrorism.

Petsalnikos stressed that among the priorities of the Greek presidency will be the combatting of racism, xenophobia, illegal immigration and the compensation of victims of violent crime.

[08] Grenade attack reported at MP Fassoulas' office

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

According to initial police reports, no one was injured in the blast, although two employees were in Fassoulas’ political office at the time of the incident. Conversely, material damages were reported.

A caller later phoned an Athens daily to claim that a group identified as the “Popular Resistance” (“Laiki Antistasi”) was responsible for the attack.

The former basketball star’s office is located on one of the port city’s major thoroughfares, Akti Moutsopoulou.

[09] Public order minister on strategic plan for reduction of traffic accidents

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Addressing the members of the competent parliamentary committee, Chrysohoidis cited as an example the reduction by 10 per cent last year of those killed in traffic accidents and by 21 per cent in the first five months of 2002.

The minister said what was needed to cope with traffic accidents was ''an overall policy''. At the same time, he noted that the human factor contributed by 70 per cent to traffic accidents.

He referred to measures taken by his ministry to reduce traffic accidents, such as breathalyzer tests and seat belt and helmet checks.

Chrysohoidis assured the deputies that with a forthcoming legislative amendment, foreigners who have been given tickets for traffic offences will not be allowed to leave the country unless they have paid their fines.

[10] Parliament President meets ambassadors of South Africa, Brazil and Poland

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

The good level of bilateral relations was ascertained at the meetings and the further strengthening of cooperation was discussed.

According to a Parliament announcement, Momberg invited Kaklamanis to visit South Africa so as to witness at close hand the progress achieved in his country these past years. Kaklamanis reminded that a visit to Athens by the parliamentary friendship group of the South African parliament was pending.

Kaklamanis told the Brazilian ambassador that the very good friendly relations between the two countries can become more productive, particularly in the economic and business sector.

Dziemidowicz conveyed greetings to Kaklamanis by the president of the Polish Parliament, along with an invitation for him to pay an official visit to Warsaw. Kaklamanis accepted the invitation. Kaklamanis said Greece was observing Poland's European Union accession course and hoped that it would soon join the EU.

[11] Journalists' union protests journalists' deportation

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

The two, who are on a mission to the Middle East, are Greek journalist Mania Barsevski and Panayiotis Paschalis from Cyprus.

An announcement by ESHEA said the delegation includes journalists from Britain, France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus and is conducting an on-the-spot investigation on the living and working conditions of journalists in Palestinian territory and the operation of the media in the region.

It added that support for similar missions in the sensitive Middle East region, which can promote the spirit of peace and conciliation among peoples should be a given fact.

''The deportation of the journalists in question of the International Journalists Federation's delegation in no way contributes in this direction,'' the announcement said.

[12] Energy cooperation tops Tsohatzopoulos' agenda in Bosnia

SARAJEVO, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos conveyed Greece’s interest in participating in several projects to reconstruct the Bosnian federation’s power networks as well as co-financing such efforts.

The issue of building a natural gas pipeline connecting producer states with central Europe via Turkey, Greece and Bosnia, among others, was also discussed.

Finally, the chairman of Bosnia’s presidency, Beriz Belkic, also thanked Tsohatzopoulos for Athens’ contributions towards the federation's rebuilding, as well as its inclusion in the recently tabled Balkan Reconstruction Plan set up by the Greek government.

[13] EU shipping ministers discuss security on passenger ships

LUXEMBOURG, 18/06/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Greek positions at the meeting were backed by Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis.

The Council of Ministers and the European Commission reached an agreement on two proposals on directives concerning passenger ships plying regular routes by which higher levels of stability and security are introduced than those applied internationally.

The EU's member-states also reached a political agreement on the proposed directive deregulating the EU's port service sector. The text shaped following prolonged negotiations satisfies Greek positions since it secures balanced deregulation in the sector.

Deregulation takes into consideration the particularities of each member-state's sector and the preservation of labor conditions and preconditions under which deregulated port services are safely provided is also consolidated.

[14] European Dynamics signs strategic deal with TRW

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Under the agreement, the two companies will offer integrated security systems to deal with threats to computer and data systems and natural security.

TRW is based in Ohio, USA, and was founded 100 years ago. It employs 93,000 workers and reported a turnover of 16.4 billion $ last year.

[15] Technical Olympic gets syndicated loan

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

The bonds are in two series: the first for 200 million dollars at 9.0 percent, expiring in 2010; and the second, unsecured, for 150 million dollars at 8.0 percent, expiring in 2012, Technical Olympic said in a statement.

The lead coordinator of the loan is Salomon Smith Barney, assisted by Deutsche Bank Securities and Fleet Securities Inc., the statement added.

[16] Greek bond market stable in May

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

In its monthly report, the central bank said that the value of trading soared to the highest level this year, while bond prices followed in line with other European markets' trends.

The average spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bond was steady at 34 basis points for the third consecutive month, after falling to an all-time low (31 bps) in May 24.

The value of transactions in the secondary electronic securities market totalled 51.53 billion euros in May, up from 38 billion euros in April and 28.03 billion euros in May 2001. Securities with a duration up to five years accounted for 52 percent of total transactions in the month.

The central bank said that state bond prices moved in tight range in May, with short- and medium-term security prices recording small losses, while long-term securities recorded small gains.

Three- to seven-year bond yields lost 2-6 basis points compared with April, while 10-year and 20-year bond yields gained 15-29 bps over the same period.

Fifteen-year bond prices were stable at 108.00 in May from 107.99 in the previous month.

Greek bond yield curve flattened in May, reflecting a decline in the yield spread between three-year and 20-year bonds to 125 basis points in May from 129 bps in April.

Greek stocks end 0.22 percent lower on Monday: Greek stocks eased slightly on Monday as domestic investors ignored an improved climate in other European markets and remained largely sellers in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The general index fell 0.22 percent to end at 2,220.10 points, with turnover a low 72.1 million euros.

The Investment and Construction sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.0 percent and 0.99 percent, respectively), while the Retail, Food-Beverage and Cement sectors suffered the heaviest losses (0.83 percent, 0.64 percent and 0.62 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.45 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.15 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.07 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 159 to 130 with another 67 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, Avax, Public Power Corporation, Balafas, and Technical Olympic.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday finished mixed.

Turnover was 67.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.45 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.15 percent.

Bond prices down in active trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in moderate to heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.33 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.9 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for just over half of trade.

[17] IOC President Rogge refers to preparations for Athens 2004 Olympic Games

GENEVA, 18/06/2002 (ANA - N. Robin)

Rogge said that in the past there had been serious delays in projects in Athens, which led to his predecessor Antonio Samaranch issuing the ''yellow card'' to Greece.

The IOC president said that since then, the dialogue between the Greek government and IOC has borne fruit, even though there are some problems concerning housing and infrastructure work in general.

[18] Chytiris to represent Athens at 2004-related events in London

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Chytiris, a published poet and alternate government spokesman, is also heads for the government’s new promotional bureau for the Athens Games.

Among others, he will speak in the House of Commons on Tuesday, following an invitation by the UK-Greece parliamentary friendship group.

Other meetings are scheduled with the Labor government’s minister for sports, culture and media, Richard Caborn, as well as Conservative opposition shadow minister John Greenway.

Contacts with British journalists for briefings on 2004 preparations are also planned.

[19] Medi-copter crashes on Anafi mountain

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

The EKAB's Italian made Agusta 109 ambulance helicopter went missing early Monday shortly after taking off from Anafi to return to the island of Rhodes, transporting a 62-year-old woman, a doctor and the chopper's three-member crew.

The helicopter originally took off at 00:50 a.m. from Rhodes for Anafi to pick up the patient, and then took off at 2:10 a.m. to head back for Rhodes. The chopper was reported missing and an air and sea search was mounted when it failed to land at Rhodes as scheduled at 3:15. Wreckage of the medi-copter was spotted on the mountain of Anafi some four hours later.

The passengers were identified as heart patient Anna Damigou, 62, EKAB doctor Christos Antypas, paramedic Eleftherios Ferentinos, pilot Vassilis Hamitzidis, and co-pilot Stefan Mayer, a pilot with the Helitalia company, which is responsible for maintenance of the new Agusta helicopters purchased by EKAB as well as for flight safety.

The bodies were recovered by an EKAB unit, assisted by crews deployed by the National Defense ministry, which also launched an investigation into the causes of the crash.

No SOS was issued by the helicopter before the accident.

Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis later expressed his grief over the accident and extended his sympathy and support to the families of those on board the helicopter.

In their struggle for the lives of Aegean islanders, he added, EKAB helicopter crews gave even their own lives, as they had proved in January 2001 and on Sunday night.

''On behalf of all the citizens of the Aegean Sea, I thank them for their gift and for their sacrifice,'' he said.

The government's grief over the accident was also expressed later on Monday by government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He said that the authorities had responded immediately and had also called in the special independent authority for investigating the causes of accidents, which had already sent an expert team to Anafi for an on-the-spot examination.

[20] Ecumenical Patriarch visits Hania prefecture on Crete

Athens, 18/06/2002 (ANA)

Vartholomeos began his tour of the area at the Vamvakopoulos' community, where he asked to make an unscheduled visit to the Agias farm prisons and talk with the prisoners. While visiting the prison he handed out gifts and noted that it was necessary to show love even to those who had made mistakes in their lives.

The Patriarch made stops at the Keriti monument in the village of Alikianos and traveled along the Omalos plateau toward Samaria Gorge.

The Patriarch's tour will end late on Monday night with a visit to the interior of the Anatoliko Selino province.

[21] Cyprus makes official representations to Britain

NICOSIA, 18/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

British High Commissioner in Nicosia Lyn Parker was summoned on Monday to the Foreign Ministry where Minister Ioannis Kasoulides protested the two points, made in an interview Sir David Hannay gave to Turkish media.

He said Parker tried to explain and pacify the government over the controversial remarks.

Parker said after the meeting he had nothing to add or subtract from what Lord Hannay had said.

''I have lodged an official protest with regard to what we consider as unacceptable comments Hannay has made,'' Kasoulides told the press after the hour-long meeting.

He said neither the government nor the National Council, comprising the eight parliamentary parties, agree at all with what was said.

Hannay told CNN Turk that a new state would be created with rather limited responsibilities. He also referred twice in his interview to ''two peoples'' in Cyprus, reiterating what British Secretary of State for European Affairs Peter Hain had said in a speech here earlier this year.

The government agrees with constitutional amendments in Cyprus but disagrees strongly with the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus and the creation of a new state and warns that such an eventuality would entail abolition of existing treaties. On the basis of these treaties in 1960, Britain has retained two military bases on the island.

''I have made it clear that no third party has the right to introduce positions which do not belong to the two sides at the negotiating table and which were not part of the peace talks,'' Kasoulides said.

Asked to outline the purpose of Hannay's remarks, the minister replied, ''You too understand what he was trying to do, but unfortunately he overstepped a certain line, something that caused our reaction and what he wanted to achieve was not exactly achieved.''

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said he regretted the response to the press by Parker who said ''Hannay said what he said, I have nothing to add or subtract.''

He also said what Hannay told CNN Turk reflected British policy on Cyprus and expressed surprise that Lord Hannay advocated the creation of a new state.

''I have outlined clearly our fundamental position that the Treaty of Establishment has to be fully respected and I believe Britain understands fully that renegotiation of this Treaty will mean negotiation rights from the start,'' Kasoulides said.

[22] UN top envoy to brief Annan on Cyprus peace talks

NICOSIA, 18/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have another four meetings to go before the end of June, a target date originally set by Denktash and adopted by Clerides and the UN, as well as foreign envoys involved in the Cyprus peace effort.

Annan said in mid May, during a visit here, that he wants the two leaders to crack the core issues by the end of June. He identified them as governance, security, territory and property.

No progress has been achieved in any of the core issues and the talks are currently facing a deadlock, with very little prospect of an agreement in principle on the core issues by the target date.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow without a topic for discussion on their agenda.

[23] National Council concludes discussion - decides to meet regularly

NICOSIA, 18/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

''The Council discussed all aspects of the Cyprus question, all aspects of the talks and decided to meet regularly, whenever developments call for a meeting,'' the Spokesman said after the three-hour-long meeting.

He said the Council, comprising the eight parliamentary parties, would meet to be informed about developments and to allow members to exchange views on them.

Replying to questions, Papapetrou said all the members of the Council described as ''unacceptable'' remarks by British envoy for Cyprus who talked about the creation of a new state and referred to two ''peoples'' in Cyprus.

[24] Italy and Cyprus to sign two agreements

NICOSIA, 18/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Italy's Interior Minister Claudio Scajola will visit Cyprus on June 28 and 29 to sign the two agreements with Cyprus Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis and Interior Minister Andreas Panayiotou.

The three ministers will also hold consultations on issues of mutual concern, such as illegal immigration.

The readmission agreement is based on the EU acquis communautaire and is the first to be singed between Cyprus and a EU member country.

This agreement provides for the return of citizens of the one country who illegally entered the other country or of citizens of third countries who travel from the one country to the other and stay there illegally.

During his stay on the island, Scajola is expected to be received by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and meet with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

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