Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Opinion poll: PASOK gains ground on leading ND. PM Simitis slightly in front of ND's Karamanlis

[02] ND leader speaks on party policy on Greek-Turkish issues, terrorism, education

[03] Papandreou refers to informal EU FMs' summit

[04] Minister foresees 3% inflation rate by year's end; tourism drop

[05] Xiros: Another 'N17' suspect acted as 'ideological support'

[06] 48-year-old Frenchman dies in Crete

[07] Seven arrests in 2 separate migrant trafficking incidents

[08] EU members expect a constructive Turkish stance on Cyprus

[09] Nicosia Mayor rejects Turkish positions

[10] French FM: EU supports UN efforts for a Cyprus settlement

[01] Opinion poll: PASOK gains ground on leading ND. PM Simitis slightly in front of ND's Karamanlis

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

According to figures published in the Sunday edition of “To Vima”, 36.7 percent of polled respondents favored ND, as opposed to 31.5 percent for PASOK. In terms of smaller parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) garnered 5.4 percent of respondents’ preference, followed by the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) with 3 percent and the out-of-Parliament Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) with 1.8 percent.

Some 14.8 percent of respondents declined to answer, 3.1 percent said they would vote for another party, whereas 2.6 percent cited their intention to cast a blank ballot.

Moreover, Prime Minister Costas Simitis again barely passed ahead of his main rival, ND leader Costas Karamanlis, in the category of most qualified for the premier’s office. Specifically, Simitis was favored by 36.7 percent of respondents to Karamanlis’ 35.7 percent. Karamanlis had led Simitis in the same category during the same firm’s poll in April by less than a percentage point.

In terms of the question of who respondents believe will win the next general elections, 52.1 percent of respondents picked ND and 31.2 percent PASOK.

The most popular PASOK cadres were Foreign Minister George Papandreou (65.9 percent); Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos (54.6 percent) and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis (52.2 percent).

Conversely, current Athens mayoral candidate Dora Bakoyianni comes in first for the main opposition with 69.8 percent, followed by George Souflias (64.4 percent) and ND spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos (54.7 percent).

The Kappa Research firm's survey, which queried 1,623 households, was undertaken between Aug. 23-29 throughout Greece.

[02] ND leader speaks on party policy on Greek-Turkish issues, terrorism, education

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

"All Greeks want the development of relations of cooperation and friendship with the Turkish people, we support the European orientation of Turkey, we seek an immediate resolution of the Cyprus problem," Karamanlis said summarizing his party's policies on the Greek national issues.

"In no event, however, can we accept the division (of Cyprus) and the fait accomplis of the invasion, or ignore human rights. We cannot accept an agreement, which, instead of resolving the problem, it will create an even bigger one. We can not accept a solution beyond the resolutions of the United Nations and the acquis communautaire (of the EU)," Karamanlis said.

"The accession of Cyprus to the European Union is a commitment of the "15" and it can not be canceled or postponed. Enlargement without Cyprus cannot be. We call on the government to clearly voice its stance in every direction and to place immediately the international community before its responsibilities," he added.

On terrorism, Karamanlis stressed that "we confront the issue with a sense of vindication concerning the positive results. We (ND) suffered the most victims and we were permanently at the sights of the terrorists."

"We supported and we support the work of the police and the justice. We supported and we support every effort for the full eradication of terrorism. We proved that time and time again, example is that during the ratification by Parliament of the bill against organized crime, which the government could not pass through Parliament without our votes," he added.

Karamanlis also focused on education pledging that in the event that his party takes the government in the next elections it would allocate funds equal to 5 per cent of GDP for the three levels of education.

He also called for a radical turn in education policy allowing the establishment of non-state, non-profit private universities in Greece, a departure from a policy that goes back to the founding of the Greek republic.

[03] Papandreou refers to informal EU FMs' summit

COPENHAGEN 02/09/2002 (ANA - H. Poulidou)

“In formulating US policy, Washington’s radar appears to not see Europe,” he said.

Papandreou also told Greek reporters that Washington’s demand for the exclusion of US troops from the jurisdiction of a nascent International Criminal Court would be discussed anew by legal experts.

Meanwhile, in other developments from the informal summit, EU foreign ministers decided on the creation of an agency to cope with natural disasters in Europe, while calling on EU Commission to formulate a relative proposal.

Finally, Papandreou also said the ''Euro Army'' issue remains opens.

Foreign ministry press briefing postponed: A press briefing by the foreign ministry’s spokesman, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed to Thursday, the ministry announced.

[04] Minister foresees 3% inflation rate by year's end; tourism drop

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

The minister also stressed that in contrast to the nagging inflation rate, the SE European country remains the only EU member expected to post 4-percent GDP growth next year.

Among others, he noted that the euro’s introduction has apparently fueled inflationary pressures in Greece by approximately half a percentage point.

Meanwhile, in reference to what appears to be drop in the number of tourism arrivals and exchange this season, Tsohatzopoulos reversed previous estimates, projecting a decrease of between 5 and 8 percent. He pointed to the introduction of the euro as well as a drop in the number of German tourists for slide.

[05] Xiros: Another 'N17' suspect acted as 'ideological support'

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

In providing additional testimony to an investigating magistrate, Christodoulos Xiros charged that Theologos Psaradellis was “a right-hand accomplice” of alleged N17 leader Alexandros Giotopoulos, adding that Psaradellis offered “ideological sup-port” for the terror group’s members.

Additionally, Xiros again maintained that Dimitris Koufodinas was N17’s “operational chief”, before claiming that new cadres had no ideological standing because veteran members had “retired”.

Psaradellis, who along with Christodoulos Xiros and Giotopoulos is currently jailed at an Athens-area prison awaiting trial on numerous felony counts, has repeatedly denied that he had any involvement with ''N17'', although he has admitted to participating in a 1986 bank robbery.

In a related development, an eyewitness to the botched bombing attempt at the port of Piraeus in late June that provided authorities with their greatest breakthrough in efforts to eradicate N17, said over the weekend that a third person was at the scene that evening, besides Savvas Xiros – who was injured during the incident – and, according to indictments, fugitive Koufodinas.

Patriarch reiterates call for environmental protection ISTANBUL 02/09/2002 (A. Kourkoulas)

The beginning of the new ecclesiastical year was celebrated here on Sunday with the signing of a decree by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

In speaking during a service at the Phanar, the Patriarchate's seat, the Patriarch referred to the recent devastating floods in central Europe and other parts of the world, calling on Orthodox faithful to pray for the environment's protection.

"When in 1990 our Church proclaimed September 1 as a day of prayer for the environment, no one could predict how soon nature's state would worsen because of humanity's harmful interventions and the consequent loss of life,'' he stressed.

Vartholomeos also called on humanity to take responsibility for its actions and protect the Earth's atmosphere.

[06] 48-year-old Frenchman dies in Crete

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

Niemkiewicz Piotr Henryk, who died after his arrival at the hospital, was arrested on Monday on charges of smuggling antiquities, along with Polish nationals Skoczynski Ryszard Karol, Niemkiewicz Magdalena Barbara, Kantor Leszer and Leszek Josef.

[07] Seven arrests in 2 separate migrant trafficking incidents

Athens, 02/09/2002 (ANA)

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Hussain Amjad, 29.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, four Afghan illegal immigrants were intercepted off the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos early Sunday morning by the coast guard.

According to reports, the three migrants were attempting to reach Greek territory aboard a flimsy inflatable dinghy after first having set off from the opposite Turkish coast.

[08] EU members expect a constructive Turkish stance on Cyprus

NICOSIA 02/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

This was stressed by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou at Helsingor, Denmark, where an informal EU Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting is being held.

Speaking after a discussion on Turkey, Papandreou said the 15 ministers noted the reforms adopted in Turkey, adding that concrete steps still have to be made.

He also said that the EU member countries expect Turkey to show a constructive position to the Cyprus problem and noted that Turkey's stance will be assessed in relation with the decision on Turkey that will be taken in Copenhagen.

Asked on the Greek stance on Turkey's bid to join the EU, Papandreou said all the issues will be examined and that the determination of a date to open accession negotiations is related with many criteria including the Cyprus issue.

In October the EU will issue its progress reports on the candidate countries and in December the EU Summit is expected to invite ten countries to join the Union. Turkey is seeking to secure a date for the start of accession negotiations with the EU at the December meeting.

Cyprus, which opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998, is among the candidate states waiting to hear whether it will be called to join the EU.

[09] Nicosia Mayor rejects Turkish positions

NICOSIA 02/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Zambelas was answering to a statement by Ankara's Deputy Mayor Gazi Sahin who had told delegates he did not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and the Nicosia Mayor. Sahin did not also sign a joint declaration of the conference to be sent to the EU.

Speaking at the conference the Mayor of the divided capital of Cyprus stressed the important role of the capitals in the implementation of new policies and programs.

"With their forthcoming accession to the EU the capital cities of the EU candidate states should join their efforts to face challenges," Zambelas stressed. He also noted the measures taken by his municipality for the promotion of sustainable development as well as the revival of the historical center of Nicosia.

Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, is expected to be invited by the Copenhagen European Council in December, along with other candidate countries, to join the EU.

[10] French FM: EU supports UN efforts for a Cyprus settlement

NICOSIA 02/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on Saturday during a press conference at Helsingor, Denmark, where the 15 EU Foreign Ministers met, Villapin also noted that the EU member states would prefer a reunited Cyprus to enter the EU.

He also reiterated the EU commitment for keeping to the enlargement timetable.

Villapin noted that the list of candidate states, capable of concluding accession negotiations by the end of this year, will be determined during the extraordinary European Council in Brussels at the end of October.

According to the 1999 EU Helsinki Summit conclusions a political settlement to the Cyprus problem would facilitate Cyprus' accession but it is not a precondition for it.

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