Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-08-31

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Enlargement, EU-US relations at the focus of Helsingor FMs' meeting

[02] Interception warrant issued for ''N17'' suspects

[03] Military leadership covers army reorganization plan

[04] Regional issues discussed at top gov't meeting

[05] Coalition leader criticizes government's agricultural, tax policies

[06] Gov't confirms 2004 start for new wage scale, denies backtracking

[07] Interior minister urges voters to promptly collect voting cards

[08] New deputy ministers sworn in

[09] Northern Greece Industries meet government, main opposition

[10] PM says gov't unswayed opposite financial demands

[11] Consumer group urges Sept. 3 boycott of state utilities as well

[12] French Embassy-Chamber of Commerce round table discussion

[13] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[14] Illegals arrested off 2 Aegean isles; 2 Germans charged with migrant smuggling

[15] Rocket found in bag next to rubble in Kypseli

[16] Decrees ready for 3 new tertiary schools

[17] UN-led talks on Cyprus continue

[18] Paris meeting agenda ready, says Alvaro de Soto

[19] Klosson: Key opportunity to achieve brighter future for Cypriots

[20] EU envoy: we are at the end of the road

[21] British envoy arrives in Cyprus

[01] Enlargement, EU-US relations at the focus of Helsingor FMs' meeting

HELSINGOR 31/08/2002 (ANA - Ch. Poulidou)

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in briefing the press, said that the ''15'' discussed the confirmation of the timetable for the enlargement, stressing that during that summit the ''15'' should finalize a common stance on the agricultural policy and the list of the 10 new member-states should be announced.

He added that they should also agree on a supervisory process to look-over the results of the efforts of candidate member-states up to the date of their accession.

The Greek minister also said that it was underlined that it should be stressed to all European societies that ''the enlargement of the Union is a process of peace, because it creates a dynamic, which strengthens stability in the region''.

During their second session of the day, the ministers discussed the European prospects of Bulgaria and Romania and expressed an array of opinions concerning the Greek proposal to establish a firm target date for the accession of the two Balkan nations to the European Union.

Papandreou stressed that during the Seville Summit, the leaders of the Union had expressed their intent to set a specific date of accession for the two countries, while many sides voiced that the Union should provide them with a ''roadmap'' to the Union and also provide them with economic assistance.

The ministers also discussed Turkey's progress, in its efforts to make the necessary changes for accession to the Union, evaluating positively the reforms in legislation, which were already in place, but stressed that those reforms should be implemented.

They discussed the conditions in that country and the upcoming elections.

The ''15'' foreign ministers also focused on conditions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and were briefed on the recent violence in Skopje, by Javier Solana, the Union's foreign policy and defense high representative, who said that he is planning to visit the landlocked republic the latest by Sept. 9th.

EU-US relations: The tense relations between the European Union and the United States concerning the possible campaign against Iraq, was also on the agenda of the ''15'' foreign ministers of the Union here at Helsingor.

Although it was not on the agenda, the US insistence that peace-keeping troops be exempt from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, took center stage in this informal meeting of the Union's foreign ministers.

The ''15'' will discuss the issue in an effort to find a ''compromise'' solution, based on a proposal of Britain.

It should be noted that US Secretary of State Colin Powell stated the US positions in a letter to the Union.

In light of these developments, Papandreou had a telephone conversation with Powell to set up a meeting, in his capacity as the presiding foreign minister of the European Union, since Greece currently holds the Union's defense and security presidency.

Sources said that the two men decided to either meet in Johannesburg or Washington, where Papandreou will be during the first days of next month.

[02] Interception warrant issued for ''N17'' suspects

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

Acting on a request submitted on August 20 by public investigator Leonidas Zervobeakos, the appellate judges ruled for interception of any private communications of the 15 “N17” suspects, as well as “N17” suspect at large Dimitris Koufodinas, Greece's number one wanted man, Alicia Romero Cortez, the partner of alleged ''N17'' member Savvas Xiros, Marie Therese Peynaud, the partner of alleged ''N17'' leader Alexandros Giotopoulos and Angeliki Sotiropoulou, Koufodinas’ partner, for a three-month period starting on August 22.

In his preliminary testimony, father Triantafyllos Xiros, the father of Savvas Xiros, said that he believed his son Savvas was ideologically influenced by his former wife Angeliki Sotiropoulou.

Triantafyllos Xiros had told police authorities a few days after last June’s botched bomb explosion in Piraeus during which his 40-year-old son had been injured “My son Savvas is a very good kid with very good feelings; however, he is ideologically unable to accept certain things. His former wife, who was raised at an orphanage without her mother, had a lot to do with this… she influenced my son Savvas, who adopted her ideas”.

Savvas Xiros himself, still hospitalized under heavy guard for the injuries he suffered at the incident in Piraeus, has told the authorities that neither Sotiropoulou nor his partner Alicia Romero Cortez had anything to do with the “N17” case.

In his second supplemental testimony before Zervobeakos, Savvas Xiros provided details about a new robbery in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, which he had committed along with Koufodinas in the summer of 2000.

The injured suspect claims that he and Koufodinas had robbed the armored truck of the National Bank of Greece in Thessaloniki and they had taken 30 million drachmas.

On a related note, from a letter forwarded by Attica police headquarters to the first instance court magistrate, already forming part of the case file, it is concluded that Alexandros Giotopoulos had been fingerprinted during the seven-year military junta in Greece for evading military service.

Meanwhile, Yiannis Stamoulis, the defense attorney of “N17” suspect Pavlos Serifis challenged his client’s allegations in his testimony before the 4th regular prosecutor. Pavlos Serifis, in his mid-July testimony had involved his cousin Yiannis Serifis, known to the authorities from the 70’s when he had been charged with participation in the Revolutionary Popular Struggle to be later acquitted.

Pavlos Serifis had said that his cousin Yiannis Serifis had been present at the “N17” first terrorist hit against CIA station chief Richard Welch in 1975. He also said that his cousin had assisted him in blocking the victim’s car in the killing of riot police deputy commander Pantelis Petrou in January 1980.

Stamoulis said that either his client involved Yiannis Serifis due to confusion or that the judicial authorities misinterpreted his testimony, adding that he may request on behalf of Pavlos Serifis that his client give a supplemental testimony before Zervobeakos.

[03] Military leadership covers army reorganization plan

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

According to an announced timetable, the first phase of the army’s reorganization has been completed, with 31 units and 20 independent units dissolved out of the 145 units scheduled to be absorbed in the plan. The second phase of the reorganization, which aims to modernize and make the army more efficient, is currently underway, the ministry said.

Additionally, the ministry said some 43 military camps, for a total of 313 hectares, have already been evacuated and turned over to local government entities.

Costs for the entire reorganization plan were put at more than 100 million-euro, along with some 70 million euros for extra security measures at camps and weapons.

The meeting was chaired by national defense minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

[04] Regional issues discussed at top gov't meeting

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

Besides the regional officials’ detailing of the problems they face in their respective jurisdictions, other issues included the course of legalization for thousands of eligible foreign nationals and illegal migrants in Greece; stepping up efforts at implementing various social programmers as well as better coordinating regional services during the upcoming municipal and prefectural elections in October.

Meanwhile, Skandalidis said negotiations with the country’s civil servants’ union will also continue up to Nov. 10 over a new collective bargaining agreement. Union representatives have demanded a higher pay raise than the government’s latest offer.

[05] Coalition leader criticizes government's agricultural, tax policies

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

Speaking from Kavala, northern Greece, Constantopoulos said ''the period we are going through is full of acute problems.'' He added that the taxation policy being implemented was unjust and that the economy was at an impasse.

Referring to the upcoming local government elections in October, Constantopoulos said that they are being held after two Community Support Frameworks (CSF), while the implementation of the 3rd CSF is pending. ''We ascertain that the problems of the cities and countryside are acute and major,'' the Coalition leader said.

[06] Gov't confirms 2004 start for new wage scale, denies backtracking

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

''Dialogue will begin in 2003 and be completed in that year. We will take into account the conditions and the need to protect stability in public finances but also the need to boost the productivity of civil servants,'' the spokesman said.

Protopapas also rejected arguments that the government had backtracked on its promise to apply the new wage scale within 2003, stressing that Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis had at no time referred to implementing the new measures in 2003.

''We have to look at what the main issue is. The main issue is for society to progress and, as a practical recognition of this progress, we agree to begin dialogue for implementation in 2004. Yes, the worker must be the first to enjoy these new conditions, but we must see what moves will help all of us take the country forward,'' Protopapas added.

[07] Interior minister urges voters to promptly collect voting cards

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

Skandalidis had a meeting with the Elections Directorate at his ministry on Friday for a final discussion on the electoral roll review process, with final rolls due to be sent out to the political parties on Monday and to municipalities, prefectures, courts and regions on September 9, in both electronic and printed form.

After September 9, two more series of final electoral rolls will be sent for carrying out the elections.

The minister said that 3,576,713 voter cards had been issued throughout the country so far, representing more than half the electorate and that this was a sign that the government's 70 per cent distribution target might be exceeded by September 15.

Regarding voters registered twice, Skandalidis said their numbers had been reduced from 380,000 to 50,000 and that they were now marked on the new electoral rolls where they existed. He also warned that voting twice bore a five-year prison sentence.

Following a meeting with regional governors on Thursday, meanwhile, the minister decided to set up special teams to help municipalities and prefectures carry out the elections, as well as a round-the-clock coordinating team based in Athens for the next 50 days.

[08] New deputy ministers sworn in

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

[09] Northern Greece Industries meet government, main opposition

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

The meeting also attended Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis, Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas, Foreign Deputy Minister Andreas Loverdos and professor Gikas Hardouvelis, director of the prime minister's economic office.

Mr. Paschalidis, speaking to reporters after the meeting, emphasized on the upcoming 67th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, to open its gates next week. "It is one of the most longstanding institutions in the country. An institution that allows us to evaluate each year the course of the government work, the course of Northern Greece. We believe that this picture is positive this year, it moves in the right direction and we agreed today that the progress of work is satisfactory," he noted.

Mr. Symeonidis stressed that the meeting focused more on the significance of agreeing committing timetables and funds to implement infrastructure projects that would help in preparations to exploit funds through a Greek Plan for the Reconstruction of the Balkans.

SBBE's chairman also noted on the need to achieve a real convergence between economies in the Greek region and its capital. "It is an issue that preoccupies us on a permanent basis as we see - statistically - an imbalance between regions and the center," Symeonidis said.

SBBE's presidium also met with main opposition party ND leader Costas Karamanlis. Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, ND's financial affairs coordinator George Alogoskoufis noted that Greece had the lowest rate of regional cohesion in the European Union.

[10] PM says gov't unswayed opposite financial demands

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

Emphasizing that the budget was directly linked to the outcome of the insurance and tax reforms, the prime minister told GSEE leaders that the potential of the new budget was restricted due to such reforms.

“We have to control inflation that is showing upward tendencies. Above all, we should not slip into a provisions policy that would lead Greece into a clash with the European Union (EU) at a time when the country’s relation with the EU is of utmost importance”, Simitis said.

“Increases in expenses, salaries and pensions in the public sector reach 8.8% this year in comparison to a Euro-zone 3.5%”, he said, adding “therefore, we should keep unswayed on our course opposite various financial demands, disregarding any political cost, which will indeed be high, if we go beyond the framework of the plan for stability and growth which we co-signed with our EU partners”.

About the tax reforms Simitis said that Tuesday’s meeting of the Inner Cabinet will exclusively focus on the finalization of a tax-reform measures package. The main element of the package, the prime minister said, is the income tax for natural and legal entities.

With regard to real estate property issues, the prime minister said that they were scheduled for discussion in the first part of October.

Coming out of the meeting, GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos said that illicit profiteering exacerbated inflation. He said that the labor unions made it clear to the prime minister that profits, not salaries, were causing inflation to rise, which the government should seriously take under consideration when conducting policy.

Also present at the meeting, National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis called the discussion with the labor leadership “very interesting” and reiterated that the government applied an “open dialogue” policy with the labor unions aimed in ensuring social coherence and employment.

[11] Consumer group urges Sept. 3 boycott of state utilities as well

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

EKATO charged that “the government, via its public utility monopolies, has first begun the latest round of price hikes that are above the official inflation rate of 3.3 percent.”

The group stressed that the state-run telephone utility, OTE, raised its monthly flat rate by 21 percent; road taxes were hiked by 12.4 percent; the power utility raised rates by 3.8 percent and the greater Athens area’s water and sewage utility raised prices by 4.9 percent.

INKA has vigorously promoted the consumers’ boycott for Sept. 3, promoting, among others, a symbolic shutdown of main power switches at homes, offices and shops around the country, as well as not making phone calls for two minutes at the 10 p.m. that same evening.

INKA is also scheduling events and the distribution of information pamphlets.

[12] French Embassy-Chamber of Commerce round table discussion

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

On that opportunity, the French Embassy, in collaboration with the Greek-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry is holding on Expo grounds, on Monday, 9 September, a round-table discussion over dual industrial activities, political and military.

The round-table discussions will be officially opened by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and France’s Ambassador to Athens Jean-Maurice Ripert.

[13] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 31/08/2002 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.43 percent to end at 2,129.06 points, with turnover an improved 126.3 million euros, reflecting block trades in several listed companies.

The IT, IT Solutions and Bank sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.27 percent, 1.48 percent and 1.46 percent, respectively), while the Cement, Textile and Publication sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.91 percent, 1.41 percent and 0.51 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.94 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.19 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.06 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 178 to 115 with another 56 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Informatics, Football Pools Organization, Sex Form, and Coca-Cola HBC.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 70.3 mln euros Friday.

Equity Index Futures: