Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece satisfied with EU common stance over 'Euro Army'

[02] Separate Karamanlis, Papandreou interviews cover Cyprus, 'Euro force',

[03] Greek-Turkish foreign ministry contacts to resume on Tuesday

[04] ND leads PASOK by 8.4 points in latest opinion poll

[05] Greek president in Kazakhstan this week

[06] Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline begins operation

[07] Government to proceed with Olympic Catering sale

[08] Ferryboat service resumes following mobilization

[09] Clerides: We are facing a deadlock at peace talks

[01] Greece satisfied with EU common stance over 'Euro Army'

SEVILLE, 25/06/02 (ANA – Chr. Poulidou / M. Spinthourakis)

Simitis said that although a final agreement wasn’t reached, substantial progress was achieved, noting among others, that the controversial “Ankara Text’s” autonomy was essentially nullified.

The text refers to a compromise negotiated by the US and UK to allay Ankara’s objections to the embryonic European rapid deployment force’s use of NATO logistics.

Additionally, the Greek premier stressed that the principles of equality, autonomy and reciprocity in EU-NATO were reinforced, while the idea of third countries’ autonomy in the EU’s decision-making process was ruled out – as third countries will be allowed to participate only after an official invitation is issued via a unanimous decision by EU member-states.

Simitis also said that the Helsinki summit agreements were again confirmed, along with a commitment against the use of violence by EU and NATO members.

Finally, the Greek PM said EU leaders decided that sovereign rights, national interests, security and the integrity of EU member-states will be respected during the implementation of any provisions dealing with the ‘Euro Army’.

Simitis also thanked the Spanish presidency for what he called the latter’s “significant efforts”, stressing that the Greek side will continue, “in a constructive manner”, the negotiations because “our primary goal is to achieve the European rapid deployment force’s operational readiness”.

Concerning the timely issues of asylum and immigration policy throughout the Union, Simitis reminded that Greece has requested a decision on these matters over the past year.

Cyprus: In terms of the Cyprus issue, Seville summit conclusions reiterated that Helsinki decisions form the basis of the EU policy, and that the Union continues to express its preference for the accession of a united island while at the same time supporting the UN's efforts at gaining a solution.

The Union's leadership again called on both sides' leaderships to continue talks in order to exploit a "unique opportunity" that has appeared to solve the island's long-standing political problem.

It was also decided that when Cyprus becomes a EU member-state it must be represented with one voice and respect the Union's acquis communautaire.

ND, KKE: In commenting on Saturday's developments in Seville, main opposition New Democracy's (ND) spokesman sternly criticized Simitis for what he called the latter's failure to brief the country's political leaders in a timely manner, as well as inept handing, in general.

"One month ago Mr. Simitis called on all of the country's political forces to contribute to a national effort regarding the 'Euro Army' issue. (ND leader) Costas Karamanlis immediately responded. New Democracy, over the past year, beyond its criticism over the government's negligence, has fought over the issue overseas. Mr. Simitis was not of assistance in this effort," ND spokesman Theodoris Roussopoulos charged.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was equally critical, albeit from a different ideological standpoint.

"The prime minister's effort to once again present results of negotiations in Seville regarding the 'Euro Army' as a success fell through," a KKE press release reads.

The party also charged that the government is keeping the summit's final communique confidential, and using this same document to "try and persuade us that results for Greece were satisfactory".

Finally, KKE charged that NATO and the European Union are interested only in "promoting imperialism's interests and not whether those (same interests) impede on Greece's sovereign rights," the press release added.

[02] Separate Karamanlis, Papandreou interviews cover Cyprus, 'Euro force', Turkey

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

In a published interview with the "Hora" newspaper, Karamanlis stressed that decisions taken in the upcoming period on a handful of national issues will determine Greece's position and role amidst the international stage for the coming decades.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister George Papandreou expectedly also covered foreign policy issues in his interview, published on Sunday by "Eleftheros Typos". Additionally, Greece's foreign minister focused directly on Cyprus and Turkey's European orientation.

On his part, the ND leader reiterated that the so-called "Ankara Text" -- governing relations between the EU's embryonic rapid deployment force and the NATO alliance -- must be altered because it infringes on Greece's sovereign rights.

"Solutions that do not, in essence, protect our vital interests cannot be accepted within the framework of compromise, be-cause such solutions, as described in Article VII, are insufficient and, of course, dangerous," he said.

Referring to the long-standing Cyprus issue, Karamanlis echoed Athens' standing policy, namely, that a prior political solution to the island republic's division cannot be considered a prerequisite for Cyprus' European Union accession. He also said it was inconceivable to link the "Euro Army" issue with the Cyprus problem.

Regarding his recent visit to the United States and talks with American leadership in Washington, Karamanlis called it successful, as contacts in the US capital provided him an opportunity to explain Greece's positions in detail.

In terms of domestic issues, the ND leader vehemently criticized the government for dealing with the all-important social security reform issue as no more than a "public relations exercise" and clearly with a view to the next elections, as he claimed.

Among others, he also charged the government with irresponsibility, noting that the social security reform bill approved only by the majority in Parliament last week "in no way ranks as a re-form".

Finally, Karamanlis took aim directly at Prime Minister Costas Simitis, saying: "It appears we are dealing with a weak and fearful prime minister, who under the weight of political cost chooses not to solve the problem, but instead bucks it to the future."

He also said ND assigns increased political significance to the upcoming municipal and prefectural elections.

G. Papandreou: In the aftermath of a EU summit in Seville over the weekend, where the "Euro Army" question figured prominently on the agenda of European leaders, FM Papandreou repeated that "we are steadfast and determined in our positions, at the same, however, we're also being constructive."

He noted that Athens' position was governed by the principle of guaranteeing national interests and towards formulating a common defense and security policy in the European Union.

Moreover, Papandreou stressed that Greece will never accept any exemption of Cyprus and the Aegean basin from the "Euro Force's" projected scope of responsibility.

Asked how the Cyprus issue affects Greek-Turkish relations, he said: "Sooner or later the Cyprus issue will either unite us or divide us", while reiterating that Athens' first goal is the island republic's EU accession, with any political solution between the island's two communities coming afterwards.

Additionally, he also likened Cyprus' accession course to a "freight train ... it is difficult to stop such a train without causing an extended collision".

Asked about recent press speculation citing the possibility a "summertime crisis" with Turkey, Papandreou said he is not in a position to know what the neighboring country's generals and politicians are considering, while stressing that "we are ready to deal with a worst-case scenario".

Finally, commenting on Turkey's European vocation, he noted: "Even if the concept of its (EU) candidacy didn't exist, we would have to invent it," Papandreou said, before again voicing his support for Turkey's EU accession as long as the neighboring country implements the reforms that Europe has requested; helps solve the Cyprus problem and normalizes Greek-Turkish relations.

[03] Greek-Turkish foreign ministry contacts to resume on Tuesday

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

Greece will be represented by foreign ministry general secretary Anastasios Skopelitis, with Amb. Ugur Ziyal representing Ankara.

[04] ND leads PASOK by 8.4 points in latest opinion poll

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

According to results of the poll published by "Kathimerini" on Sunday, ND was preferred by 37.9 percent of respondents to 29.5 percent for PASOK.

ND also garnered a majority of respondents' preference on the question of which party will win the next general elections, with 57.4 percent of those asked choosing the main opposition party to 25.2 percent for PASOK.

In a slight reversal of past trends in other opinion polls, ND leader Costas Karamanlis also edged Prime Minister Costas Simitis in the question of who is the most capable to govern, polling 32.1 percent to the prime minister's 30.4.

As far as the other smaller parties are concerned, only the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) would surpass the 3-percent ceiling needed to enter Parliament if judged by the opinion poll results. KKE was favored by 5.2 percent of respondents, whereas the currently Parliament-represented Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) polled 2.8 percent.

The Movement of Free Citizens (KEP), whose founder and leader, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos suspended its operations as a full-fledged political party this month, garnered 2.9 percent of respondents' preferences.

Finally, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) led by former PASOK minister Dimitris Tsovolas posted a 2.2-percent showing.

Roughly 13.2 of those interviewed for the questionnaire said they were undecided, while 3 percent said they would vote for another party.

The opinion poll gives ND deputy and Athens mayoral candidate Dora Bakoyianni the distinction of being the most popular politician in the country, with Foreign Minister and top PASOK cadre George Papandreou a close second and veteran Thessaly ND deputy George Souflias in third place.

Papandreou is also rated as the most capable successor to Simitis, with 41.3 percent.

The opinion poll was undertaken by the ALCO firm, with a sample of 1,967 people interviewed between June 6 and 13.

[05] Greek president in Kazakhstan this week

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

[06] Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline begins operation

SKOPJE 25/06/02 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

The 210-kilometre-long pipeline will officially be inaugurated on July 2 in twin ceremonies held both Thessaloniki, northern Greece's major port city, and in Skopje.

The pipeline cost upwards of 110 million US dollars, 60 million of which was provided by the Athens bourse-listed Hellenic Petroleum (EL.PE) group, with the remainder loaned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERDB). The Greece-based oil and refinery group, which also owns the OKTA refinery, holds an 80-percent stake in the pipeline, with the government of FYROM retaining the other 20 percent.

[07] Government to proceed with Olympic Catering sale

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

According to reports, between 51 to 68.37 percent of Olympic Catering's shares will be up for sale, with the latter figure representing OA's total participation in the firm.

Negotiations are expected to commence with interested parties following a pre-selection process by the international consulting firm Deloitte & Touche.

Olympic Catering supplies OA and another 25 airlines in Greece.

[08] Ferryboat service resumes following mobilization

Athens, 25/06/02 (ANA)

In moving to legally end the debilitating strike ahead of the summer's first three-day holiday weekend, the government served striking seamen with mobilization papers late Friday evening, while skippers also informed by the coast guard that their vessels were being formally requisitioned.

The four-day-long strike, called by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) on Tuesday, had stranded thousands of travelers on Greece's numerous islands and threatened to ruin the holiday weekend for tourism-related enterprises on both the Aegean and Ionian destinations.

Friday's mobilization order came on the heels of an earlier PNO decision to extend the strike for another 48 hours. It was originally set to end by 6 a.m. Saturday.

No problems were reported as of press time at the greater Athens area's two main passenger ports, Piraeus and Rafina, with ferries sailing as scheduled.

[09] Clerides: We are facing a deadlock at peace talks

President Glafcos Clerides has said the UN-led peace talks are facing a deadlock and warned that unless practical solutions on the four core issues (governance, security, territory and property) are found, there will be no settlement.

The president also said that the European Union considers that the Greek Cypriot side maintains a constructive approach at the talks and expects the Turkish Cypriot side to work for a solution within the parameters of the UN decisions in a conciliatory manner.

Speaking on his return from the EU summit in Seville, he said he was very pleased with the conclusions of the two-day meeting, which reiterate Brussels' adherence to the timeframe for enlargement.

''We are facing a deadlock and if this deadlock continues, there will be no solution in Cyprus,'' the president said on his return from Spain, adding that ''we have big differences'' with the Turkish Cypriot side as regards the solution.

He explained that the Greek Cypriot side advocates one state of Cyprus whereas the Turkish Cypriot side wants two sovereign states and some kind of authority at the center with two ethnic citizenships.

''If we are to reach a settlement, we have to find practical solutions to the core issues, as the UN Secretary General has urged us to do,'' the president said. Replying to questions, he said on Friday he and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will discuss constitutional matters with specific reference to the Belgian constitution. ''We believe that either we discuss the Belgian constitution in its entirety and not selectively or we will be led nowhere on this aspect of the problem,'' he said.

He explained that Denktash refers to the Belgian model as he wants to apply some of its provisions but rejects others. The Greek Cypriot side sees other articles of the Belgian constitution fitting its positions.

''If one takes those articles that suit him and the other takes provisions that satisfy him, we will be facing another deadlock on this issue,'' the president said.

Referring to the EU conclusions, with regard to Cyprus, Clerides said he was ''fully satisfied'' and welcomed the decision to keep to the agreed timetable on enlargement.

Cyprus is expected to conclude its accession negotiations later this year and be invited to join the EU with other candidate countries in the first wave of enlargement.

The Seville summit reiterated an earlier EU decision that a political settlement would facilitate Cyprus' accession but it is not a precondition for it. It called on both sides to the talks to ''intensify and expedite'' their discussions and seize the window of opportunity for a comprehensive settlement, consistent with UN resolutions.

Replying to questions on Turkey's accession course, the president said the EU has told Ankara that there must be progress in Cyprus before it decides to set a date for the start of accession negotiations with Turkey.

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