Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey's objections continue to block Euroforce issue, Greek PM says

[02] Sources report new snag in efforts to resolve the 'Euroforce' issue

[03] Spanish FM comments on issue of EU-NATO relations

[04] ND leader Karamanlis accuses PM Simitis over 'Euroarmy' issue

[05] EU leaders discuss illegal immigration at Seville summit

[06] President gives dinner in honor of Nelson Mandela

[07] Ecumenical Patriarch ends visit to Crete

[08] Human rights in Greece discussed by US congressional committee

[09] CoE Secretary General Schwimmer speaks on FYROM name issue

[10] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Strasbourg

[11] Communist and labor parties hold meeting in Athens

[12] Aid given to ethnic Greeks in Kazakhstan, president says

[13] Evros officials: Thousands of illegal migrants gathering on Turkish side

[14] Israeli ambassador visits Rhodes

[15] Gov't orders civil mobilization of the country's seamen

[16] Tsohatzopoulos urges for economic development of Balkans

[17] National Bank aims to support SMEs

[18] Greek weekly economic review

[19] Greek stocks end eight-day losing streak on Friday

[20] ATHOC focuses on press accommodations for Games

[21] Kilkis celebrates anniversary of its liberation from Bulgarian occupation

[22] President Clerides says Denktash backtracks on Ankara's orders

[23] Senators submit resolution on Cyprus' EU accession

[01] Turkey's objections continue to block Euroforce issue, Greek PM says

SEVILLE, 220/06/2002 (ANA - Chr. Poulidou)

According to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis a ''very satisfactory result for Greek positions was formulated'', following ''tough negotiations'' and continuous contacts, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had with Javier Solana and Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, as well as contacts between Simitis and his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar and other European leaders.

During talks between the Spanish presidency and Turkey, however, Ankara expressed its ''total opposition'' on the issue and Aznar conveyed this development to his counterparts.

The Turkish officials discussing the issue with Aznar insinuated that if the EU was to set now the date for the initiation of Turkey's EU accession negotiations, there may have been ground for a Turkish change of heart on the Euroforce issue.

Aznar, however, turned down this negotiation tactic.

Before this latest impasse, the European Council requested of Aznar to ''achieve a Herculean task'' - as French President Jacques Chirac put it - and to make a last ditch effort to come to an understanding with Ankara.

Consequently, later in the evening the Spanish EU president was scheduled to meet with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to discuss the issue anew, while sources said that Papandreou contacted U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell by telephone.

Simitis, however, stressed that irrespective of the results, the European Council decided that the ''15 agreed that, regardless of the course of the talks which will begin again, the EU will proceed with the ad hoc replacement of multinational forces in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in October''.

[02] Sources report new snag in efforts to resolve the 'Euroforce' issue

SEVILLE, 220/06/2002 (ANA - Chr. Poulidou)

Government sources said that Turkey had been in touch with the Spanish presidency to express its displeasure at the Greek proposals, which had received the initial assent of Greece's EU partners.

The proposals had not yet been discussed during the dinner for the 15 EU leaders, which was still continuing.

Turkey's objections mean that further progress on the issue is effectively blocked because - in its capacity as a NATO member-state - it can prevent a solution of the impasse regarding the sharing of NATO resources by the planned European military force.

Effectively, the choices open to the European leaders at this time are two: they can either decide to make a last-ditch effort to resolve the matter in Seville before noon on Saturday, or abandon the effort as futile and leave it for the next EU presidency that takes over on July 1.

In this case, however, the next presidency will be that of Greece, since Denmark is exempt from handling the union's defense and security issues.

[03] Spanish FM comments on issue of EU-NATO relations

SEVILLE, 22/06/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Pique, who was speaking on the first day of the EU's two-day summit as the EU's Spanish Presidency is drawing towards it end, said what is necessary is to find a text acceptable to both NATO and the EU.

''There is no sense in finding a text in the framework of the one organization which will not be acceptable by the other organization,'' he said.

Pique said a compromise solution satisfying all the parties involved has not yet been found, but added that he did not rule out the possibility of a compromise solution being found, if not at the Seville summit at least by the end of the Spanish EU Presidency.

Commenting on whether the EU intends to set a date for the beginning of negotiations for Turkey's accession to the EU in exchange for its consent on the European army issue, he said ''such offsetting is not conceivable in the European community.''

Pique said Turkey has achieved considerable progress lately but noted that legislative settlements are not enough since these settlements have to be implemented in practice as well.

He did not rule out the possibility of there being a specific timetable for the beginning of access negotiations with Turkey at the Copenhagen summit on condition, of course, that Turkey will proceed with necessary changes.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi expressed support for the start to accession negotiations with Turkey, while diplomatic sources said the representatives of Germany, Denmark and other member-states expressed their opposition.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who visited the pressroom in Seville on Friday night, said that regarding the issue of European defense, Turkey has already agreed to a text following negotiations with the United States and Britain.

''We do not desire any change. If, however, the Europeans desire certain changes, let them submit them to us and we shall examine them after we return to Ankara,'' Cem said.

[04] ND leader Karamanlis accuses PM Simitis over 'Euroarmy' issue

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis told reporters: ''I ascertain with regret that Mr. Simitis is untrustworthy. It is a serious matter of ethical order, but beyond this, it is certain that the better coordination and substantial understanding would have brought about better results.''

The ND leader said that in the meetings he had in Europe and the United States he ascertained understanding for the Greek positions.

Karamanlis said that when Simitis speaks of national understanding, ''he should mean it,'' adding that ''after many months of delay, Simitis called me to discuss and asked for our contribution to the issue of the 'Euroarmy'. I responded immediately not in words but with specific actions, because that is how we view the duty of all of us.''

[05] EU leaders discuss illegal immigration at Seville summit

SEVILLE, 220/06/2002 (ANA - Chr. Poulidou)

''It is understood that speedy action is necessary on our part, a timetable with intermediate targets and planning of our action's evaluation at the Copenhagen and Thessaloniki summits,'' he said.

European mobilization should turn initially to cooperation among partners for guarding the EU's external borders, in the long term to the creation of a border police force and to Europe's cooperation with third countries for agreements to be reached on sending illegal immigrants back to countries they came from, he said.

Simitis said that in this direction a proposal by the Presidency was discussed anticipating sanctions for countries refusing to cooperate.

Some partners argued that illegal immigration is mainly due to poverty and underdevelopment and, consequently, the imposition of additional sanctions is not considered appropriate, he said.

However, Simitis added, ''it is also a fact that certain countries are tolerating an organized illegal immigrant trade, they are tolerating the action of organized gangs and this must stop. These countries must take measures to have the illicit trade combated.''

The EU leaders also agreed that in the initiative they are undertaking there should be a commensurable allocation of burdens because it is clear ''that the countries of the Mediterranean are experiencing the greatest burden from this problem,'' Simitis said.

He added that the Austrian prime minister observed that his country was faced with the illegal entry of 15,000 refugees this year, while he himself remarked that Greece is pressured by 250,000 illegal immigrants every year.

On the question of asylum, Simitis said that in Greece's view relevant proposals by the Presidency (anticipating that asylum should be granted by the illegal immigrant's first country of entry into the EU) ''must change.''

Simitis added that certain proposals regarding the amendment of the Council of Ministers' functions were also examined at the summit.

[06] President gives dinner in honor of Nelson Mandela

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis also attended the dinner.

[07] Ecumenical Patriarch ends visit to Crete

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

He was seen off by Crete's Metropolitans (a high-ranking Orthodox prelate below a bishop), local officials and members of the public.

Before his departure, he praised the islanders on "preserving the Orthodox faith intact" and urged them to also preserve their strong ties with the "Mother Church of Constantinople".

[08] Human rights in Greece discussed by US congressional committee

WASHINGTON, 22/06/2002 (ANA – T. Ellis)

In opening the session, New Jersey Republican Chris Smith, who represents the state’s fourth election district, cited what he claimed were human rights problems that primarily affect “ethnic and religious minorities in Greece”.

In responding later to criticism by two official Greek representatives who appeared before the committee regarding the issue of one country’s legislative body holding deliberations on alleged human rights violations by another traditional ally, Smith said his committee examines the human rights situation “of friends and enemies” alike, with a goal of improving human rights in all countries. He also said the committee he co-chairs quite regularly criticizes the US government as well.

Defending the record of NATO and European Union member-state Greece, diplomat Dimitrios Moschopoulos and foreign ministry legal expert Maria Telalian first emphasized that the east Mediterranean country enjoys a west European form of democracy with an open society and a “liberal Constitution that protects the rights of all its citizens”.

Pointing to Greece’s position within the often strife-ridden region, both Greek officials also stressed that the country has ratified every major international human rights accord, including the Ombudsman and National Committee for Human Rights agreements.

Moreover, they detailed measures for the improvement of conditions of migrant gypsies, the Muslim minority of Thrace in accordance with the Lausanne Treaty, as well as the right of other minorities towards self-definition.

Dismissing claims that journalists are often threatened with legal intimidation via slander suits, both Telalian and Moschopoulos – Greece’s consul in Stuttgart – said freedom of the press in the country is plainly ascertained, and that nary a journalist works in fear of being dragged before the courts.

Additionally, they emphasized that ethnic discrimination and anti-Semitism are not phenomena observed in traditionally hospitable Greece, while laws prohibiting proselytization (technically in effect for all faiths and denominations) as well as journalists’ legal liability for slander are more-or-less inactive.

Finally, both Greek officials termed the trafficking of migrants and people – a problem that plagues numerous developed countries around the world and the entire SE European region in particular – as deplorable, while briefing the US Congressional committee members on Greece’s laws regarding immigration and organized crime as well as on a recently tabled bill to better combat the problem.

On his part, Congressman Smith referred to progress in the human rights field following Athens’ decision to scrap Article 19 of the citizenship code in the Constitution, along with a controversial decision almost two years ago to delete the religious affiliation category from new police-issued IDs in the country.

While praising Athens’ decision to eliminate the religious affiliation category, Smith nevertheless took issue with a decades-old law prohibiting proselytization by any and all religious groups in the predominately Eastern Orthodox nation – criticism that has often been aired by mostly US-based charismatic denominations and sects wishing to activate themselves in the east Mediterranean land of around 11 million residents.

The vast majority of Greeks belong to the Orthodox faith, whereas a native-born Muslim minority resides in the extreme northeast of the country in the Thrace province.

Three speakers claimed there were human rights violations (mostly against non-Orthodox religious groups, gypsies and linguistic minorities) in Greece, including Adamantios Polis, an instructor at the New School University in New York, Vassilios Tsirbas, an adviser with the European Center of Law and Justice, and Panayiotis Dimitras, a spokesman for the Greek chapter of Helsinki Watch.

[09] CoE Secretary General Schwimmer speaks on FYROM name issue

SKOPJE, 22/06/2002 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

''All the relevant procedures will be facilitated when the matter of the constitutional name of FYROM is solved. At this moment the difference over the name constitutes a source of continuous problems not only on a higher diplomatic level, but also for the smallest details which concern our daily work,'' Schwimmer said.

''I fully understand that names are very important - even on a personal level - and I would also get angry if someone insisted on calling me with a name which I do not like. The same is valid for the names of countries. However, the solution must be agreed by the two sides and be mutually accepted and in continuation be recognized by the international community,'' he said.

[10] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Strasbourg

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Other issues to be discussed will be future cooperation among European institutions, the European Reconstruction Bank's contribution to economic growth in central and eastern Europe, the role played by the International Monetary Fund, the state of displaced people in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the campaign against smoking, climatic changes and the Kyoto Protocol.

[11] Communist and labor parties hold meeting in Athens

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Outlining the framework in which communist and labor parties should act, KKE secretary general Aleka Papariga, referring to the war against terrorism, said "views coming from imperialist propaganda centers saying that acts of terrorism are a response by poor and oppressed peoples to imperialist oppression should be combated".

Papariga said the struggle of peoples has nothing to do with terrorist methods and in no way should it be accepted that the popular struggle is terrorism.

She also expressed opposition to NATO's expansion and stressed the need for the Greek government to stop participating in the sending of troops abroad. In addition, she said that suppression apparatuses, as shown by various events such as in Seattle in Genoa, require particular attention and vigilance to avoid provocations.

Papariga said that the communist and labor parties should place great importance on the internationalization of their struggle and on mass participation and support for mobilizations directed against capitalist internationalization and globalization.

She also referred to mobilizations taking place at every summit and announced that mobilizations for the EU summit due to take place, during the Greek EU Presidency, in Thessaloniki in June 2003 are being planned from now.

Papariga stressed the need for strengthening cooperation and coordination among communist and labor parties, but always in the framework of each party's independence, and proposed, among others, that the parties should meet before major international events.

The meeting will come to an end on Sunday night.

[12] Aid given to ethnic Greeks in Kazakhstan, president says

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

''One example of this is that over the past seven years more than 700 children of Greek origin residing in Kazakhstan were received in Greece in the framework of the summer programs of hospitality by the general secretariat of Greeks abroad.

''Second, organizations of ethnic Greeks in Kazakhstan participate through their representatives in international congresses of the

Council of Hellenes abroad, the congresses at which questions of interest to them are discussed and recommendations are given to the Greek state regarding solution of these problems.

''Third, the Greek state supports educational and cultural activity of Greeks as it believes that Greek communities all over the world with their dual identity, in the given case Kazakhstan's citizens of Greek origin, promote in the best way a dialogue between cultures and cooperation between Greece and Kazakhstan, as well as between Greece and some 140 countries where Greeks are in permanent residence,'' Stephanopoulos told Itar-Tass.

The Greek president said that ''the general secretariat of Greeks abroad endorsed in 2002 the subsidy of 30,000 euro for Greek communities in Kazakhstan and noted that a number of Greek ministries, including the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Education and Religion, are also implementing programs of aid to ethnic Greeks abroad, for instance, in education and culture.

[13] Evros officials: Thousands of illegal migrants gathering on Turkish side

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

According to Evros prefecture and public order ministry officials, some 2,500 illegal immigrants are currently being housed in the prefecture, including a good number of women and children. Another 1,200 illegals are being detained in neighboring Rhodopi prefecture.

Moreover, officials said reports from across the Evros River separating Greece from Turkey point to “tens of thousands” of mostly Third World illegal immigrants gathering on the Turkish side for an opportunity to sneak into Greece -- the nearest European Union territory in southeast Europe.

“... we believe that pressure will continue to build up on the Turkish side with the arrival of even greater numbers of illegal immigrants, and if a way isn’t found to repatriate them, then their numbers will constantly increase, not just in Evros prefecture but throughout Greece,” Evros prefect George Dollios warned, adding:

“Our country, despite its feelings of solidarity, cannot host any more illegal immigrants".

Beefed up patrols by border guards and military units have been ordered along the Greek-Turkish frontier, while local authorities are reportedly contemplating the placement of barriers on the slow-moving Evros River (known as Maritsa in Turkish) in order to make passage via certain “smugglers’ routes” more difficult to cross.

Conversely, authorities have taken a series of emergency measures to improve conditions for illegal immigrants detained in the region, including new lodgings, upgraded health care and catering.

[14] Israeli ambassador visits Rhodes

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to the press on the situation prevailing in Israel, Sasson said ''the terrorist acts of the Palestinians are not compatible with the struggle for the creation of an autonomous state or the struggle for freedom.''

He added that the Israelis are even prepared for painful concessions to the Palestinians to achieve peace in the region but they, however, are refusing to denounce terrorism.

Sasson accused the Palestinian leadership of funding and guiding terrorist organizations, adding that ''Yasser Arafat's ambition is to eliminate all Jews.''

Referring to Greece's initiatives for peace in the Middle East, Sasson expressed the wish for ''Greece to use its contacts with the Arab world more to promote peace in the region.

[15] Gov't orders civil mobilization of the country's seamen

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

The industrial actions, which began on Tuesday, are currently wreaking havoc with the country's passenger shipping sector, stranding thousands of travelers on Greece's numerous islands and preventing the transport of more vacation-makers in light of the Pentecost religious holiday on Monday -- traditionally the start of the summer tourist season in the east Mediterranean country.

Acting government spokesman Telemachos Chytiris said the action follows a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) to extend the strike for another 48 hours. It was originally set to end by 6 a.m. Saturday.

A three-hour meeting on Friday of PNO's leadership rejected a government offer the latter said satisfied the greater part of seamen's demands, while extending an increase in pension levels from 60 to 70 per cent over five years.

"Over the past few days of the strike the government exhausted all dialogue, satisfying the substance of their demands. Unfortunately, however, the leadership of PNO chose to continue the strike, which is damaging the country's economy, tourism, trade, the free movement of citizens and even health care".

"With a sense of responsibility to society, the government decided the civil mobilization of the striking employees," he concluded.

[16] Tsohatzopoulos urges for economic development of Balkans

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Addressing a 2nd European Conference on "Rights of Minorities and Peoples" in a central Athens hotel, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that by referring to a necessary development he did not mean economic growth but social development with the participation of citizens and their rights for security, health, education, employment and the environment. "This is what people demand in their effort for a new future," he said.

"We cannot accept a Europe-fortress, because Europe does not only mean development but differentially as well, with tradition, history and evolution. Europe has the obligation to show its differentially. Immigration is causing problems, something Greece has experienced in the 1950s, when 2.5 million Greek immigrants settled in foreign countries legally, based on bilateral contracts and agreements.

The solution to today's problems would come through our ability to cooperate with Balkan countries and to determine conditions of economic and social development that would keep the population in these countries, the Greek minister said.

[17] National Bank aims to support SMEs

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to representatives of SME's during a two-day tour in Thrace, Mr. Karatzas expressed National Bank's sensitivity in dealing with the region's business problems.

He noted that the bank has recently formed a business credit department to expand its activities in the business sector and at the same time add to the role of financial centers.

"Our aim is to help small enterprises become larger. We estimate that in two-and-a-half years from now total loans towards these businesses will be tripled," Karatzas said.

Karatzas said that the number of applications for business loans by small enterprises with the bank has quadrupled in the last 2.5 months.

[18] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Ruling PASOK party deputies unanimously adopted government legislation for the reform of the country's social security system. Main opposition ND party deputies and Communist Party's deputies had walked out from voting while Coalition party deputies voted against the bill.

Chief prosecutor of the first instance court Sotiris Bayas ordered an investigation based on press reports over alleged violation of banking rules by commercial banks in their loan practices with consumers.

Development minister expressed its worry over decisions by domestic private schools to announce school fee increases exceeding a 3.5 percent envisaged by government legislation. The ministry said that the average increase was around 15 percent.

ASE authorities approved the listings of Interfish Acquaculture SA and New Millennium Investment in the Greek bourse.

The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented nine proposals to boost business climate among small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country, envisaging a reduction of tax factor for company profits to 25 percent from 35 percent currently.

Commercial Bank announced the purchase of a majority stake in Yugoslav bank Kapital Banka, which operates a branch network of 14 units in Yugoslavia.

[19] Greek stocks end eight-day losing streak on Friday

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Strong buying for blue chip stocks, particularly for National Bank's shares, led the index 0.87 percent higher to 2,198.55 points, after falling to a year-low of 2,167 early in the session.

Turnover was an improved 105.9 million euros.

The Retail, IT Solutions and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.62 percent, 1.44 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively), while the Metals, Construction and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.57 percent, 0.33 percent and 0.24 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.32 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.35 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.53 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 201 to 97 with another 58 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net loss of 1.19 percent.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange were mixed on Friday, with contracts on the high capitalization index showing a premium of 0.40 percent and on the medium cap index a 0.90 percent discount.

Turnover was 103.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.32 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.35 percent.

Bond Market Close: Prices down in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday 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 2.8 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for over half of trade.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Football Pools, Hellenic Telecoms, Aspis Bank, Klonatex (preferred) and Aktor.

[20] ATHOC focuses on press accommodations for Games

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

According to ATHOC, some 18,400 accredited press representatives will hosted in the greater Athens area during the 2004 Games, with a March deadline given for media outlets to supply the names of individual press members. Down payments for reserved rooms, meanwhile, will have to be paid by Dec. 31, 2003.

Rooms will be divided into four categories, luxury (487 euros); A category (250 euros) and B category (175 euros), while no final decision has been made on prices for C category.

According to reports, 80 percent of the total number of reserved for the pressrooms will be one-person suites, with the rest two-person rooms.

[21] Kilkis celebrates anniversary of its liberation from Bulgarian occupation

Athens, 22/06/2002 (ANA)

Kaklamanis observed a military and student parade, which was held at the city center, to pay tribute to the Greeks killed in the battle of Kilkis on June 21, 1913.

[22] President Clerides says Denktash backtracks on Ankara's orders

LARNACA, 220/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking prior to his departure for Seville, Spain, where he will attend on Saturday a working lunch of the leaders of the EU member states and the EU applicant states, in the framework of the EU Summit, President Clerides said he will have three more meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the last of which will take place on July 2. UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro De Soto will then fly to New York to report to the UN Secretary General.

Commenting on Denktash's allegations that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to force the Turkish side to withdraw from the talks, President Clerides noted ''that no major effort is needed to make Denktash leave since he leaves by himself'' as he did in 2000 when he withdrew from the proximity talks that were then held in Geneva.

Clerides said that the Turkish Cypriot leader backtracked on some issues he had agreed, expressing the belief that Denktash was acting on Ankara's instructions.

Asked about the prospects of the UN-sponsored peace talks Clerides said it was difficult for someone to make estimations at this stage on how the talks will develop ''because there are some basic issues that have not been discussed.''

Asked whether sovereignty is on the negotiating table, President Clerides said the Turkish side raised this issue ten years ago and kept raising it during the talks but the Greek Cypriot side continues to reject it, he added.

The Cypriot leader noted that there are voices in Turkey suggesting that there should be more flexibility as regards the handling of the Cyprus problem in order to facilitate Turkey in getting a date for the beginning of its accession negotiations with the EU, but there are also the hardliners.

Such hard-line positions, according to President Clerides, are expressed by Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismael Cem and Minister of State responsible for Cyprus affairs Sukru Sina Gurel, who insist on the solution of ''two sovereign states''. This settlement is ''unacceptable for us,'' President Clerides added.

Invited to say whether he believes that the Turks will alter their position even at the last moment, Clerides said he was a politician and not a magician.

Answering another question, the Cyprus president said that he has already discussed with Denktash, apart from the issue of security, ''the issue of the responsibilities of the central government, the issue of the responsibilities of the governments of the cantons, the issue of the structure of the executive power and the legislative power, the issues of territory and property.''

He said all issues would be discussed against, as there was no bridge of the positions set out by the two sides at the negotiating table.

Clerides and Denktash have been engaged in UN-led direct talks since mid January this year with a view to negotiate until a comprehensive settlement is achieved.

No progress has been achieved so far because of Denktash's insistence on ''two states'' in Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[23] Senators submit resolution on Cyprus' EU accession

NICOSIA, 220/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The resolution called on the US administration to pursue new initiatives, as a priority issue that would help achieve reunification and reconciliation in Cyprus.

The concurrent resolution describes the current status quo in Cyprus ''unacceptable'' and the country must be reunited in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on UN resolutions.

Senators Olympia Snowe, Joseph Biden and Paul Sarbanes expressed the sense of Congress that security, reconciliation and prosperity for all Cypriots can be best achieved within the context of membership in the European Union, which will provide significant rights and obligations for all Cypriots.

''The unacceptable status quo on Cyprus must be ended and the island and its people be reunited, in a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus, on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions,'' the concurrent resolution said.

The accession of Cyprus, it added, ''would act as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem without the latter being a precondition for accession.''

EU membership, it said, ''should be strongly supported'' and ''all Cypriots be urged to support and encourage efforts to bring Cyprus into the EU.''

The resolution calls on various agencies of the US government to pursue ''vigorously and as an issue of high and urgent priority new initiatives that will help promote and achieve reunification, reconciliation, stability and prosperity on Cyprus.''

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