Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] EPP summit gets underway in Madrid with participation of ND leader

[02] ND leader and Spanish PM discuss European issues

[03] FM Papandreou more optimistic on EU defense deal

[04] Gov't on possibility of Euro-Army compromise

[05] U.S. ambassador to the UN speaks to expatriates on Cyprus problem

[06] Former U.S. diplomat criticizes Kissinger for Turkish invasion in Cyprus

[07] Parliament ratifies Greek-Turkish protocol on combatting organized crime

[08] Majority of Greeks view the EU positively, according to Eurobarometer

[09] PM announces two new universities, technical college

[10] Mandela cancels day's meetings due to fatigue, jetlag

[11] President Stephanopoulos to visit Kazakhstan next week

[12] Vartholomeos issues environmental message from Rethymno

[13] Spokesman says Greece did the best possible for Hague Court

[14] Parliament president addresses Greek expatriate journalists

[15] PM becomes grandfather

[16] Parliament votes through government pensions bill

[17] Seamen's strike continues to plague travel to islands

[18] Gov't to set up guarantees fund for smaller firms

[19] Bankruptcy applications soar 623 percent in May

[20] Commercial Bank acquires 80 pct stake in Yugoslav bank

[21] EBEA unveils proposals to boost business climate

[22] Greek stocks fall for eight consecutive session

[23] IOC welcomes success of Athens Olympics sponsors' conference

[24] FITA president praises Athens Olympic Games preparations

[25] Coalition slams use of legislative act to widen Marathon route

[26] New culture ministry guide unveiled

[27] 3 million euros for archaeological digs in N. Greece

[28] Two N. Greek architectural monuments receive ''Europa Nostra'' awards

[29] Government spokesman strongly denies Denktash's allegations

[30] President Clerides: We can still reach a settlement

[01] EPP summit gets underway in Madrid with participation of ND leader

SEVILLE, 21/06/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The heads of state and government, as well as leaders of parties participating in the EPP, convened in Madrid with the participation of main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis.

Also present were Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso of Portugal, Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and a large number of EPP officials, including German Christian Social Party leader Edmund Stoiber.

Karamanlis referred in his address to Cyprus, ex-pressing satisfaction over the speed with which negotiations between Cyprus and the European union are proceeding, as well as to the issue of the so-called European army and supported his party's known positions.

Talks between EPP leaders focused to a great extent on the issue of handling illegal immigration.

Karamanlis said in a statement that the EPP is discussing important issues on the EU's present and future.

''One of the most important issues, which we have also been promoting systematically for some time, precisely because the huge problem with mass illegal immigration has appeared, is the formulation and, primarily, the implementation of a common European immigration policy,'' he said.

Karamanlis further said that Greece supports the creation of a European border guard corps, as well as a European coast guard force in view of the fact that the country has the most extensive sea borders.

''The EU's enlargement continues to be a major issue. We support enlargement. And, of course, we support the accession of Cyprus with the first wave of candidate countries. And indeed regardless of whether or not there will be a solution to the political problem. We believe that the EU will remain consistent on the position it has already formulated,'' he added.

[02] ND leader and Spanish PM discuss European issues

MADRID, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis, who arrived in the Spanish capital to attend a summit of the European Peoples' Party, said he and Aznar discussed issues of common European interest and, of course, the European army issue.

''I explained to Mr. Aznar the reasons for which the Ankara text cannot be accepted by Greece as it is and that I requested its amendment,'' he said.

Karamanlis said the main points in the text are article 2 which anticipates that the European army cannot turn against Turkey ever and in any crisis and leaves Greece exposed in the event of an act of aggression by Turkey.

He also added that article 12 foresees that Turkey, which is not a European Union member-state, will have a substantive say even in independent activities of the European army in such areas as the Aegean and Cyprus, meaning that "the wolf is set to look over the sheep".

''I should say, however, that I was surprised in learning from Mr. Aznar that the Greek government has submitted specific proposals on the amendment of the Ankara text and despite his explicit commitment towards me, Mr. (Prime Minister Costas) Simitis did not notify us and did not communicate with us,'' he said.

[03] FM Papandreou more optimistic on EU defense deal

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Papandreou told Reuters in a telephone interview the chances had improved following intensive diplomacy over the last week to overcome Greek concerns about assurances negotiated with its Aegean archrival, non-EU NATO ally Turkey, by Britain and the United States last year.

A deal would sweep away a major obstacle to the EU's fledgling rapid reaction force and enable the 15-nation bloc to carry out its first peacekeeping mission from October, taking over from NATO's ''Operation Fox'' in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

''If we work hard, there is a possibility of agreement tomorrow or on Saturday. The Spanish Prime Minister (Jose Maria Aznar) said in Athens last week there was a 50-50 chance. I would give it a slightly higher percentage now,'' Papandreou told Reuters.

Papandreou said Athens expected an EU summit resolution reaffirming the sovereign right of EU members to decide on their own security operations, and recalling the principles of the non-use of violence and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

''It has been and it is still very delicate. But if we get a good deal on the issues that I mentioned, I think we will be not only very satisfied but it will be clear to the Greek people that this is a very important step and we should see it as historic for the future of Europe,'' he said.

Papandreou said Greece was concerned to ensure that unresolved disputes over Cyprus, the Aegean and in the Balkans did not impinge on the EU's common security and defense policy.

''Living in a region that has been going through conflicts and wars and has certain issues that have not been solved, we wanted to make sure we would lay down principles that would be important for maintaining stability, preventing conflict and making sure that any conflicts that still exist are not brought into (the policy),'' he said.

[04] Gov't on possibility of Euro-Army compromise

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas added that there was a possibility that the Spanish EU presidency's initiatives could bring about a positive result, one that satisfies Athens' standing demands. However, he said chances of the current impasse continuing also must not be ruled out.

Finally, the spokesman again reiterated that the Greek side would take all necessary measures at its disposal if its positions were not satisfied.

[05] U.S. ambassador to the UN speaks to expatriates on Cyprus problem

WASHINGTON, 21/06/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Negroponte, who was honored with the ''G. Livanos'' award, said that the next six months will be ''really critical'', leaving it to be clearly understood that the initial time frame which foresaw an in principle settlement of the Cyprus problem by the end of June, was now probably impossible to be met.

Having stressed the steadfast support of the U.S. to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and to his special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, he reiterated that the U.S. continues to support the creation ''of a bizonal, bicommunal federation which would safeguard the rights of both sides.''

He underlined that there can be positive results in Cyprus, citing as examples the recent developments in three other international matters, namely ''the recent U.S.-Russia agreement on the restriction of nuclear weapons, the liberation of Afghanistan and the declaration of the independence of East Timor.''

Also speaking at the same event was Greek-American Senator Paul Sarbanes who stressed the positive stance and support which the Greek side has found in Congress over the past decades concerning the Cyprus issue.

[06] Former U.S. diplomat criticizes Kissinger for Turkish invasion in Cyprus

WASHINGTON, 21/06/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Speaking during the annual meeting of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) in Washington, Boyatt, who was responsible for Cyprus from 1971 to July 1974, having considerable experience on the realities in Cyprus and information on conditions in the island republic, was led to believe that EOKA B' with the support of the dictatorship of Athens would attempt to overthrow or murder then Cyprus president Makarios and achieve ''union'' with Greece.

He claimed that he warned his superiors of conditions that could lead to a Greek-Turkish conflict, which was not in the interest of the United States and proposed a strong demarche to the dictator Ioannidis and not to the political leadership of Athens.

The American diplomat stressed that Kissinger did not like Makarios, whom he identified as one of the most reactionary and anti-American elements of the third world, while he called a catastrophic mistake the rise of Nikos Samson to the presidency of Cyprus, saying that his past made more than certain the harsh reaction of Ankara.

''Kissinger did not like the fact that I was right, that I attempted to warn him and he did nothing,'' he concluded.

[07] Parliament ratifies Greek-Turkish protocol on combatting organized crime

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) voted against the bill and criticized the government that with the article 8 of the protocol the road opens for the denial of political asylum to Turkish human rights activists, since this protocol prescribes processes by which they ''will be returned to Turkey very easily and will be closed in the white cells,'' as KKE deputy Stavros Skopelitis said.

Deputy Public Order Minister Evangelos Malesios said that there may be a problem, but added that the ministry established three committees to examine the cases of political asylum.

KKE, SYN react to ratification of bill on ''combatting terrorism funding'': The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) stressed their strong opposition in Parliament to the bill introduced for the ratification of the International Convention for the combatting of funding for terrorists.

KKE deputy A. Skyllakos called for ''resistance for the general benefit of the country, otherwise they will defeat us.

Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos said the ''articles of the bill are dangerous in a climate which is increasingly becoming more and more tense from the hysteria of the so-called confrontation of terrorism''.

In defense of the bill, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos argued that ''after Sept. 11 the whole discussion about the rights and the rule of law was particularly burdened. The dialogue on these issues implicates.''

[08] Majority of Greeks view the EU positively, according to Eurobarometer

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

However, compared to the previous Eurobarometer, a reduction in support of EU enlargement is ascertained.

These are the basic conclusions drawn by the EU public opinion poll ''Eurobarometer'' which was released by the European Commission in Brussels on Thursday.

The opinion poll was conducted during the period March 29-April 28 in the 15 EU member countries in a sample of 15,987 European citizens. In Greece 1,002 people were questioned from Market Analysis.

In reply to the question ''how do you view your country's participation in the European Union?'', 64 per cent of Greeks said that ''it was a good thing'', against the EU average of 53 per cent.

To the question ''whether accession to the EU was beneficial for your country'', 72 per cent of Greeks replied positively, against the EU average of 51 per cent.

Eighty per cent of Greeks said they supported the common European currency, the euro, against the EU average of 67 per cent.

Seventy per cent said they approved the development of the EU's common foreign policy, against the EU average of 64 per cent. Seventy-two per cent of Greeks supported the EU's security and defense policy, against the EU average of 71 per cent.

The Greeks and the Danes appear to support EU enlargement more than any other of the 15 EU members. A total of 68 per cent of Danes expressed support for EU enlargement compared to 67 per cent of Greeks.

However, compared to the previous Eurobarometer, support in Greece for EU enlargement fell by 7 percent, from 74 per cent in autumn 2001 to 67 per cent in spring 2002.

Finally, 63 per cent of Europeans want the creation of a European constitution. The highest support is observed in Italy with 81 per cent, followed by Holland and Sweden with 73 per cent. In Greece it is 67 per cent while in Denmark this percentage only just reaches 49 per cent.

[09] PM announces two new universities, technical college

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

The new universities will be those of Western Macedonia, based in Kozani, and Eastern Mainland Greece based in Lamia. The TEI will be for the Ionian islands and have its base on Cephallonia.

In addition to the above, Simitis said that 46 new university and TEI departments will be set up by 2010, after which every prefecture in the country will have at least one tertiary education department within its borders.

On his part, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou noted that 24 of the departments will be created before 2004, while half of those will be created within 2003, stressing that special emphasis will be paid to new subjects so as to produce not just university diplomas, but diplomas the market needs.

He added that the government aims at establishing at least one university department in every prefecture of Greece, while the ministry will convene the National Education Council in September to evaluate the work of the higher learning institutions.

The minister noted that the creation of more universities did not mean the increase of the number of university students, rather the unclogging of the overcrowded institutions, adding that in 1993 there were 42,000 university freshmen while in 2002 their number rose to 82,000.

[10] Mandela cancels day's meetings due to fatigue, jetlag

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Mandela was due to receive Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos at his hotel on Thursday morning, but cancelled the meeting as well as his activities for the rest of the day.

The S. African ambassador in Athens said that Mandela felt indisposed due to fatigue and his long airplane flight to Greece, and therefore cancelled his appointments for the day, but there was no need for concern.

Later, diplomatic sources attributed Mandela's indisposition to an upset stomach and fatigue.

They said it was a ''minor indisposition'', adding that Mandela would carry out his schedule on Friday as planned, including a meeting with President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos.

[11] President Stephanopoulos to visit Kazakhstan next week

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Stephanopoulos leaves for Kazakhstan on Tuesday, for a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Stephanopoulos will be accompanied by deputy foreign ministers Andreas Loverdos and Yannis Magriotis.

[12] Vartholomeos issues environmental message from Rethymno

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

The Patriarch then released a turtle belonging to the protected species Caretta Caretta on the beach in front of Rethymno's Creta Palace hotel, christening it ''Mesogios'' or 'Mediterranean' in Greek.

Vartholomeos began his tour of Rethymno prefecture by leading a service at the Four Martyrs Church, where he was met by local officials and clergy.

In his sermon to the congregation, the Patriarch warned parents about the possible harmful effects of modern toys and fictional heroes on the spiritual development of their children.

Pointing out that many of these latter-day 'heroes' were actually closer to monsters in form, or else wizards or antisocial individuals absolutely cut off from society, he said they acted to push young people toward fantastic worlds filled of blood, murder, enmity and competition, while later encouraging escapism, a craving for psychedelic experiences, inertia and drug use.

He urged parents to guide their children's choice of toys and encourage them to learn about the real world through healthy and educational games and pursuits.

[13] Spokesman says Greece did the best possible for Hague Court

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, responding to comments in the foreign press alleging that Greece did not help as much as it should have in examining the case, said all should realize that Greece's contribution was the best possible and any other comment has nothing to offer and has nothing to do with the truth.

The spokesman referred to data provided by the justice ministry which expresses satisfaction over the fact that the country's judicial authorities met the demand of the international court's prosecuting authority.

Protopapas further referred to a similar report by the Bank of Greece which also stresses that Greek banking authorities did all they could to help in probing the activities of persons at the international court's request.

[14] Parliament president addresses Greek expatriate journalists

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

He also called on them to defend the international law, which is violated ''in a blunt and cynical manner in Cyprus''.

[15] PM becomes grandfather

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

[16] Parliament votes through government pensions bill

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Deputies of the main opposition New Democracy and of the Communist Party of Greece had walked out of debate on the bill in a protest against the reform package, and did not return to vote.

Voting against the bill were the Coalition of the Left and Progress and Stephanos Manos, an independent and former economy minister under New Democracy.

The Coalition complained that only one of 35 amendments it had proposed was accepted, accusing the government of authoritarianism.

The government introduced two last-minute amendments, and accepted a third from deputies of the ruling PASOK party and Coalition.

One amendment allows working mothers to take a year's leave for the birth of their first child, one and a half years for the second child, and two years for the third without losing social insurance contributions.

The remaining two amendments allow a change in legal status for certain supplementary funds; and the merger of supplementary funds belonging to similar enterprises. In addition, pension rights for a deceased person who married more than once will accrue to all spouses, and not only the latest.

[17] Seamen's strike continues to plague travel to islands

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Additionally, the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) has threatened to extend its strike, which began with work stoppages on Tuesday, beyond sunrise on Saturday - a development that would prevent a majority of holiday-makers from traveling to Greece's numerous island destinations over the coming three-day holiday weekend.

PNO's unionists have rallied over the past few months for pay, pension and lump sum retirement hikes, with the latest round of industrial action coinciding with a nation-wide strike over the past week to protest the government's social security reform bill.

Conversely, tourism and travel industry executives on Thursday urged the government to find a solution to the impasse, as the all-important summer tourist season begins in earnest.

On Lesvos, meanwhile, government officials and labor leaders were attempting to organize a special ferryboat route to Piraeus, on the Greek mainland, for the stranded pilgrims.

Finally, the island's hotel owners reported a flurry of cancellations for the upcoming weekend, as the Pentecost religious holiday (50 days after Orthodox Easter) will be observed throughout Greece on Monday.

Gov't spokesman: In later remarks, the government said all of the demands put forth by PNO's seamen have been met, therefore, they should discontinue their strike.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas added that an extension of the strike will hurt the economy, especially the tourism sector, while also preventing thousands of people from traveling to the islands during the three-day weekend.

The spokesman promised that seamen's benefits would be on par with other Social Security Foundation (IKA) pensioners, in fact, measures for seamen will be implemented earlier.

Evert calls for PM's intervention to end seamen's strike: Main opposition MP Miltiades Evert, a former leader of the New Democracy party, on Thursday said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis should intervene personally in order to resolve outstanding pension demands by striking seamen.

Evert claimed that the merchant marine and labor ministers appeared to have entirely opposite views to Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis on how pension issues for seamen might be resolved.

He stressed that the ongoing strike, which had kept ferries docked in ports around the country throughout the week, was damaging the tourism industry and the economy of the islands, ruining people's holiday plans over the long weekend and damaging the country's image.

[18] Gov't to set up guarantees fund for smaller firms

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Under the terms of a development ministry bill to be sent to parliament in two weeks, the government will act as an intermediary between the firms and the banks.

Backing will be provided for an estimated 25,000 enterprises in the next five years, ministry officials said.

The fund falls under the European Union's Third Community Support Framework package, and is to receive start-up capital of 30 billion drachmas.

[19] Bankruptcy applications soar 623 percent in May

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

The rise in May's applications and declared bankruptcies followed a rising trend in April.

Unpaid bills and bounced cheques, however, eased both in volume and value in May to 17,031 (down 21.36 percent) and 47 million euros (down 21.36 percent) from the same month in 2001.

Unpaid bills totalled 12,336, down 42.23 percent, while bounced cheques totalled 4,695 (down 22,94 percent), in May.

[20] Commercial Bank acquires 80 pct stake in Yugoslav bank

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Kapital Bank is a developing private sector bank operating a branch network of 14 units in Serbia and Montenegro.

Commercial Bank said it was the first Greek bank to establish a strong presence in the neighboring country and noted that it planned to immediately expand its network.

The official signing of all documents will take place in July in Belgrade.

Commercial Bank said the acquisition was part of its expansionary strategy in the Balkans and Southeast European markets.

[21] EBEA unveils proposals to boost business climate

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Drakoulis Fountoukakos, chairman of the board, said that it was imperative that the Greek government supported the Chamber's proposals for the reform both of the tax system and of the social security system in the country.

Mr. Fountoukakos urged for government measures to ensure smooth economic activity in the country even in times of labor unrest. He was referring to a strike by seamen that has paralyzed sea transport and hit Greek tourism.

EBEA's proposals envisage: reducing a tax factor on company profits from 35 percent to 25 percent, gradually reducing a tax factor ceiling from 42.5 percent to 30 percent, raising a tax-exempt income for each citizen to 4.0 million drachmas, simplifying legislation covering business activity, abolition of pre-paid tax for all new companies, abolishing 37 taxes imposed on the real estate market and their replacement by a single real estate tax, reducing all heritage and transfer taxes, and offering tax incentives to promote mergers between small- and medium-sized enterprises.

[22] Greek stocks fall for eight consecutive session

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

A negative climate in international markets and a fall in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization’s share price (-5.53 percent) due to dividend cut, kept prices under pressure.

The general index ended 0.63 percent lower at 2,179.63 points, with turnover a low 103.6 million euros.

The Food-Beverage and the Parallel Market for smaller capitalization stocks sectors were the only ones to scored gains (0.26 percent and 0.15 percent, respectively), while the Telecommunications, Publication and IT Solution sectors suffered the biggest percentage losses (3.07 percent, 1,34 percent and 0.94 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.97 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.62 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.06 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 186 to 104 with another 56 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank of Greece, Football Pools Organization, Public Power Corporation and Titan

Bond Market Close: Prices down in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in heavy trade focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.30 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 3.1 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for over half of trade.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity index futures nose up: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday finished slightly.

Turnover was 98.0 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.97 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.62 percent.

In individual stock futures, players focused on Hellenic Telecommunications Organization and Alpha Bank.

[23] IOC welcomes success of Athens Olympics sponsors' conference

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Among topics on the agenda in the two-day meeting were controls on advertising in the capital to give the best possible image of the host city, which Payne welcomed.

In addition, the Athens event's two mascots, Phoebus and Athena, were the best the IOC had seen from a marketing point of view, Payne added.

The conference was organized by the Athens organizers of the 2004 Olympics, led by Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

[24] FITA president praises Athens Olympic Games preparations

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

''Athens is walking on the right path and progress achieved in past months is considerable. Of course, the same rates should be maintained since there is no time to be wasted,'' he said.

Easton, who is heading a delegation, also praised the uniqueness of the Panathenian Stadium and the splendor it will be attaching to the Olympic archery tournament in 2004.

''The International Federation is very pleased to be having a very beautiful and unique stadium at its disposal. Athletes will have the opportunity of playing in a historic stadium and we think they will be enthusiastic,'' he added.

[25] Coalition slams use of legislative act to widen Marathon route

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

It criticized the government for trying to involve President of the Republic in the measure, which it also slammed as environmentally unsound.

''It is clear that the government wants to avoid society's reactions and side-step the Council of State,'' its announcement said.

Responding to opposition criticism on this issue in Parliament, meanwhile, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Thursday that the government was forced to resort to a legislative act because the issue had become urgent. Improvements along the traditional Marathon route that will be used during the Olympics were absolutely necessary, he stressed, and not to carry them out would be damaging for the country.

He said the government had opted for an act of legislative content signed by the President of the Republic because of a large number of suits against the work filed by municipalities, local residents and organizations in areas along the Marathon route.

He was commenting on the statements made by main opposition New Democracy MP Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who said the government's arguments were 'laughable' and downgraded Parliament's role.

Protopapas accused Pavlopoulos of not wanting the improvements to take place.

[26] New culture ministry guide unveiled

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

[27] 3 million euros for archaeological digs in N. Greece

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

Following a relevant meeting the minister stressed that a study was underway to connect the archeological sites of N. Greece and create a map with tours of the sites.

[28] Two N. Greek architectural monuments receive ''Europa Nostra'' awards

Athens, 21/06/2002 (ANA)

The award for St. Panteleimon will be presented on Friday and for the ''Markos'' water mill on Saturday.

[29] Government spokesman strongly denies Denktash's allegations

NICOSIA, 21/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou stressed here that the Greek Cypriot side was not pursuing to make the talks collapse but to make them succeed and was doing its utmost to that end. He warned every interested party that ''the Turkish side is working towards the degeneration of the talks.''

At the same time, the Cypriot official welcomed Denktash's decision to discuss with President Glafcos Clerides the territorial issue, which is one of the four core issues addressed during the talks. The other three are governance, property and security.

He expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot leader ''is ready for an overall and constructive discussion and that it will not be just a typical discussion and a maneuver'' on behalf of Denktash.

He noted that what Denktash told Reuters consisted a violation of the commitment both sides were engaged in for a ''black out'' on what was discussed during the talks.

''In view of the fact that Denktash has chosen to violate the black out the Greek Cypriot side feels obliged to restore truth and reality making only some comments and showing great self-restraint,'' Papapetrou said.

He noted that Denktash's allegation that the Greek Cypriot side's goal was to force the Turkish side to withdraw from the talks was at least astonishing. ''When his plans demand that, Denktash has no difficulty from withdrawing from the talks as he repeatedly did throughout the history of the Cyprus problem and as he did on November 8, 2000, just to refer to a recent example,'' Papapetrou said.

The spokesman added that when it suits his plans and his goals, Denktash has no difficulty in rejecting invitations by the UN Secretary General for talks as he did last September.

''The Greek Cypriot side's goal was and continues to be a compromise and the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, as provided by the Security Council resolutions and the international law,'' Papapetrou pointed out.

''We don't want to provoke a breakthrough to the talks. We want the talks to bear fruit and we are doing everything to that end,'' the government spokesman said.

He recalled recent statements by foreign officials, the Security Council President, the British Ambassador to the UN, the British representative for Cyprus and the US Ambassador to Cyprus who commended the constructive way and the flexibility of President Clerides at the talks.

''At the same time, we are expressing our determination to lead the talks to a successful outcome we want to issue a warning note, in every direction, that the Turkish side is working towards the degeneration of the talks,'' stressed Papapetrou, one of President Clerides' aides at the UN-led direct talks with Rauf Denktash.

Invited to interpret Denktash's statements to Reuters, Papapetrou said that since voices from the international community acknowledge that President Clerides shows flexibility and a constructive spirit, Denktash obviously, in diversionary move, tries to blame the Greek Cypriots as the intransigent side and tries to show himself as having a positive stance at the talks.

''Whether someone is intransigent is judged from his positions at the talks, from his flexibility and intentions. Consequently, Denktash must not blame any one but the tactics he and Turkey have chosen. We sincerely hope they will change their tactics, so we could move forward,'' Papapetrou said.

Denktash had told Reuters that on Tuesday the Greek Cypriot side was trying very hard ''to force the Turkish side to walk out. Their position is that we are the intransigent, that we run away, we stop talks. They did everything possible,'' he alleged.

Denktash noted that ''for us negotiations are continuing and will continue until both sides decide they cannot do so any longer,'' adding that he would meet President Clerides again on June 25 to discuss territorial issues.

Papapetrou welcomed Denktash's readiness to discuss territorial issues, expressing the hope that ''it is a sincere willingness, on behalf of Mr. Denktash to negotiate on this aspect, as well as on all other issues.''

[30] President Clerides: We can still reach a settlement

NICOSIA, 21/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Receiving here on Thursday the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Cyprus Manuel Morales Lama, President Clerides said that the Greek Cypriot side expects from the Turkish side to show the necessary will, negotiate sincerely, constructively and with a vision for the future and abandon its intransigent positions and demands, so as to achieve a permanent settlement of the Cyprus problem. He noted that the solution should comply with UN resolutions and be in line with the international law and the EU acquis communautaire.

President Clerides said that Cyprus' accession to the EU will open a unique opportunity window and create a momentum for an end to the island's division, underlying that ''this opportunity must not be lost.''

''The Greek Cypriot side is willing to look to the future and not to remain a hostage of the past,'' President Clerides remarked.

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