Visit our Treaty, Convention & International Organization Document Archive Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-04

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

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

September 4, 2002

CONTENTS

  • [01] Simitis unveils third and last package of tax reform plan
  • [02] Eyewitness testimonies shed new light on ''N17'' case
  • [03] Premier calls for initiative & reforms, on PASOK party anniversary
  • [04] Culture minister meets Athens mayoral candidate Bakoyianni
  • [05] Skandalidis announces change of Civil Defense leadership, following flooding
  • [06] ND MPs table Parliament question over voter lists
  • [07] Alternate FM meets with US Cyprus special coordinator
  • [08] Europarliament president distinguishes Cyprus problem's role in EU-Turkish
  • [09] EU ministers afloat? Greek presidency mulls first shipboard council
  • [10] Greek consumers massively participate in boycott day
  • [11] Civil servants warn of widespread strike actions over pay rises
  • [12] Gov’t defends price increases by public sector enterprises
  • [13] Main opposition leader meets GSEBE trade group
  • [14] World Bank VP briefed on Athens' Balkan Reconstruction Plan
  • [15] New Athens airport's eateries rated among world's best
  • [16] Greek stocks resist pressures, end slightly higher
  • [17] Migrant-laden boat sinks in SW Greece ;2 dead, others missing
  • [18] 'Woman in the Shadow and the Light' exhibition opens in Athens
  • [19] UN-led peace talks continue in Nicosia
  • [20] Vassiliou says Europe not ready to set dates for Turkey
  • [21] Turkish Cypriots to emigrate due to Turkey's plans
  • [22] Germany expects Cyprus to become full EU member soon

  • [01] Simitis unveils third and last package of tax reform plan

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday unveiled a third and last package of a tax reform plan aimed to achieve real economic convergence, social cohesion and to boost employment "through a more friendly tax system that will support family income and facilitate business activity in the country.

    Speaking to reporters, after a cabinet meeting to discuss the tax reform plan, Mr. Simitis said that the reform was aiming mainly on reducing business costs and supporting Greek families' purchasing power "the right way to promote economic convergence with other European economies and to help the country's economic prospects."

    The Greek premier noted that the government was following the road of tax reforms with consistency and perseverance "to maintain high growth rates and to deal with turbulences in the global economy."

    Mr. Simitis reminded that a first phase of a tax reform plan referred to simplifying procedures for small- and medium-sized enterprises, the second phase referred to heritage taxes and the third was aiming to simplify and modernize the tax system to become more friendly to citizens.

    The new package envisages raising the tax-free income for wage earners and pensioners to 10,000 euros, to 12,000 euros for families with two children and to 20,000 euros for families with three children or more.

    Mr. Simitis said the tax reform would benefit wage earners and pensioners, low incomes, while it was also reducing obligatory taxation for all citizens and promoted tax justice.

    The prime minister said that measures to reduce tax burdens on SMEs were taken because "small- and medium-sized enterprises were the backbone of our society and economy."

    He stressed that the total cost of the tax reform plan would total 1.4 billion euros, around 1.0 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

    Opposition criticizes gov't tax overhaul: The main opposition New Democracy party said on Tuesday that the third and final round of government tax measures announced earlier in the day represented minor changes, and not reform, as required.

    ''The impasse in which government policy finds itself means that the prime minister's announcements were restricted to minor tax relief that in no way changes the nature of the taxation system,'' ND's economic affairs spokesman, George Alogoskoufis, said in a statement.

    ''The tax system remains ineffectual and unfair. With no effective policy to restrain wasteful spending in the public sector, the tax revolution the country needs cannot be implemented,'' Alogoskoufis said.

    In a separate statement, the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Constantopoulos, described the government's tax measures as ''paltry'' and ''piecemeal.''

    ''A timid increase in tax-exempt income is negated by abolition of key tax relief with a social angle. The country needs major reform that will make the system fairer and simpler, also drastically restricting rampant tax evasion and the black economy,'' Constantopoulos said.

    ''More socially vulnerable people in society are demanding this,'' he added.

    Finally, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said that the new government measures brought no fundamental improvement to family income; and a higher tax-exempt ceiling was cancelled out by a wave of sharp consumer price hikes, which began in April.

    [02] Eyewitness testimonies shed new light on ''N17'' case

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Eyewitness testimonies on Tuesday revealed that in addition to alleged terrorists Savvas Xiros and Dimitris Koufodinas, a third man was also present at late last June’s botched bomb-explosion at the port of Piraeus that put police on the trail of the notorious “November 17” terrorist group, which had eluded the authorities for over a quarter of a century.

    Car mechanic Evangelos Nikolinakis in his testimony to the police authorities, as well as well as eyewitness Vincent Vincentzakis said that after the explosion, in addition to Savvas Xiros who got injured at the incident, they saw two more men that looked suspicious to them.

    “At the sound of the explosion I ran out the (nearby) St. Spyridon Church to see what happened and I saw a man bleeding on the sidewalk. I walked back to the church and from there I saw a person in police uniform standing next to the injured man, strangely without a uniform hat. In about one minute I observed a tall man in suit, regular hair and wearing a medium beard walking toward the church gate; it seemed to me that the two men communicated with their eyes. The tall man was about 58 or 60 years old with a regular physic, while the one in the police uniform was medium height, bald and looked around 50 years old”, the eyewitness told police.

    On a related note, a tenant at the building on Damareos Street in Pangrati, Athens, where “N17” kept an apartment as a “hideout”, told police that a few days before the Piraeus explosion she had seen Savvas Xiros exiting the main entrance of the building in the company of a tall blond man, around 40-45 years of age.

    Curiously enough, the manager of the building on Patmos Street in Athens, where the ultra leftist group kept a second “hideout”, had also told police that one week prior to the Piraeus explosion she had heard a very loud noise and a flash coming from the direction of the terrorists’ “hideout” and again neighbors had seen a blond man exiting her building immediately after that.

    So far, 15 suspects indicted on charges related to the “N17” terrorist group are held in maximum-security cells at the Korydallos prison, Greece’s largest penitentiary, located in a working-class Piraeus suburb.

    A stepped-up nation-wide manhunt for Dimitris Koufodinas, identified by police’s anti-terrorism squad as a top “N17” lieutenant and prolific assassin still continues.

    Civil suit filed by family of victim in 'N17' case: Yet another family of a "November 17" victim filed a civil suit against the suspects in police custody on Tuesday, declaring their intention to special examining magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakas, an appeals court justice assigned to handle the 'N17' case.

    They are the relatives of Sotiris Stamoulis, driver to senior police officer Pantelis Petrou, who was killed with Petrou by 'N17' in January 1980.

    Earlier on, Zervobeakas examined former New Democracy MP Lefteris Papadimitriou regarding the attack on him by 'N17' in 1992. Papadimitriou said he had asked the magistrate for a face-to-face interrogation with Savvas Xiros and Vassilis Tzortzatos, who allegedly carried out the attempt against his life with Dimitris Koufodinas. He said he would also ask for a re-enactment of the crime and additional statements from eyewitnesses.

    The former MP reiterated that he had given the magistrate a full description of the woman that accidentally or deliberately helped the terrorists shoot him by preventing his escape with her car.

    Finally, he said he believed that five people had taken part in the operation against him.

    Zervobeakas also received a visit from the lawyer representing 'N17' suspect Patroklos Tselentis on Tuesday, who said he would ask for access to two bank accounts belonging to his client in order to cover the financial needs of the family.

    [03] Premier calls for initiative & reforms, on PASOK party anniversary

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Tuesday marked the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) – on September 3, 1974.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis speaking to his inner cabinet meeting said that founded by Andreas Papandreou, PASOK brought about political change in Greece, lent a new role to the country and for that matter the anniversary was a significant day, pointing to a need for initiative, reforms and struggle toward a prospect of peace and prosperity.

    Furthermore, the prime minister in a message said that in the 21st century, to prevent evolving into a traditional and static political force, PASOK should daily confront the future providing positive responses to contemporary problems and challenges.

    “Today, on our movement’s 28th anniversary, we are advancing steadily on that course, with a contemporary vision and perspective, renewing our commitments to the Greek people for progress, development and the creation of an open, modern and democratic society with cohesion, solidarity, justice and humanity”, the message said.

    [04] Culture minister meets Athens mayoral candidate Bakoyianni

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Tuesday met the main opposition's candidate for Athens mayor Dora Bakoyianni at the ministry to discuss the city's role as a host to the Olympic Games in 2004.

    In statements after the meeting, Venizelos stressed that the central Athens municipality and other local authorities would have a key role in preparations for the Olympics.

    ''The way the city functions, the participation of the public, volunteerism, the climate and the atmosphere will all be very important, they will be an element giving added value to the Olympics,'' he said.

    Bakoyianni pointed out that Athens, as host-city, would receive millions of visitors during the Games and be the center of attention worldwide for four billion people.

    ''Cooperation between the Athens municipality and the government must be continual. The problems in managing the city are great but, when they spotlights are turned off on the day after the Games, Athenian citizens must have reaped significant benefits from the whole Olympic Games process,'' she stressed.

    She said this was the main goal of the ''Athens Tomorrow'' combination, which had presented specific proposals regarding sports, culture and overall management of the city in the meeting with Venizelos.

    [05] Skandalidis announces change of Civil Defense leadership, following flooding

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Tuesday requested and received the resignation of Civil Defense Secretary General Dimitris Papanikolaou, following the flooding the Kifissos River caused in southern Athens, for the third time this summer.

    After a meeting of relevant ministers, Skandalidis appointed former police chief Yiannis Georgakopoulos to the vacant position.

    Following the announcement of the change, Skandalidis said blamed the Civil Defense General Secretariat for lowering its guard at about 6 p.m. this evening, as the weather service did not predict heavy rains and extreme weather phenomena.

    He also said that authorities will work through the night to confront the problems caused to citizens, by the storm and the subsequent flood.

    [06] ND MPs table Parliament question over voter lists

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Thirty-one main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputies on Tuesday tabled a Parliament question regarding the issue of voters’ lists, one day after the government announced that newly updated rolls had been completed and would be sent to townships across the country.

    “Most municipalities, especially the larger ones, requested information from the last general census (2001) in order to register and list citizens with their addresses; (they requested) from both the interior ministry and the National Statistical Service (ESYE), although no answer was ever given,” the tabled question states.

    Municipal and prefectural elections are scheduled around the country in October.

    The main opposition MPs also charged that more than 50 percent of municipalities listed their citizens in wrong election precincts due to the fact they used the address at the time citizens were first recorded on town registers.

    Finally, in terms of individuals listed on two or more voting rolls that aren’t identified by the interior ministry, ND’s deputies warned that they would be able to vote in any municipality they want by signing a simple affidavit.

    On Monday, following a meeting of a bipartisan committee, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis said the final number of eligible voters stands at 9,856.453 – a number just less than the 11-million population Greece recorded during a 2001 census, but one that includes tens of thousands of eligible expatriate Greeks and their offspring.

    A figure of 9.2 million of eligible voters was given for the previous voter lists.

    Skandalidis also said there were 66,000 double entries, which have been detected and noted on voter rolls.

    Municipalities, prefectures and first instance courts will begin receiving the updated voters’ lists next Monday, whereas they will be displayed over the Internet beginning on Tuesday.

    Voters will also be able to find out their specific voting precinct by dialing 1464 after Sept. 23.

    [07] Alternate FM meets with US Cyprus special coordinator

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis on Tuesday discussed developments in the course of the Cyprus issue with visiting U.S. State Department Cyprus special coordinator Thomas Weston.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the U.S. official said that the meeting was the most significant so far and pointed to the close cooperation between Washington and Athens, emphasizing that the solution of the Cyprus issue was now more urgent than ever before.

    Never before now did we have such an opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Weston said.

    The alternate foreign minister told reporters that this was the final phase of Cyprus course toward EU accession. “Nothing can stop the EU accession course of the Cyprus Republic, he said, adding that Cyprus was one of the states meeting the political criteria, with its infrastructures in full harmony with the European model.

    On a related note, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis also met with Weston to discuss the prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem in view of the upcoming meeting between UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash in Paris on Friday. The two men also discussed developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU accession of Cyprus.

    According to a ND release, Karamanlis reiterated to the U.S. official his party’s fixed position for a solution on the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire. The ND leader furthermore conveyed his party’s conviction that Cyprus can and should join the EU, by decision of the EU Summit Meeting, next December in Copenhagen.

    [08] Europarliament president distinguishes Cyprus problem's role in EU-Turkish

    STRASBOURG 04/09/2002 (ANA – O. Tsipira)

    European Parliament President Pat Cox on Tuesday said EU -Turkish relations progress and the Cyprus issue were two separate matters, however, are moving in parallel.

    Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Sina Gurel, Cox said that within the “parallel” of the two issues he distinguished a “very significant dimension” that the Cyprus issue could play, with regard to the climate and the context in the progress of the EU-Turkish relations.

    Cox refused to make any commitments regarding the date for negotiations for Turkey’s EU accession. He understood Turkey’s desire, he said, adding that the resolutions of the European Commission detailed report, which he said would be publicized on 16 October, would be the next decisive step.

    He said that a thorough and in-depth evaluation of the report would be conducted in order to make a comprehensive assessment of Turkey’s progress towards accession.

    The president of the European Parliament also said that he hoped the upcoming Paris meeting between UN Secretary General Koffi Annan, Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash would give a new push toward a jointly accepted solution.

    Finally, Cox said that he believed it impossible to discuss the issue of Turkey’s “negotiations date” at the extraordinary Summit Meeting on 24-25 October in Brussels.

    “The European Council has an agenda that cannot influence the European Parliament”, Cox said.

    Cox said that it was his view that the “negotiations date” issue should be discussed at the summit meeting in Copenhagen.

    [09] EU ministers afloat? Greek presidency mulls first shipboard council

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    The first council by European Union ministers on board a ship is to be organized by the Greek EU presidency for the first half of 2003, sources in the merchant marine ministry said on Tuesday.

    If all goes as planned, EU ministers responsible for maritime transport will tussle with policy in a suitably inspiring setting, spending three days on board a cruise ship that will include stops at some of the most beautiful and popular Aegean islands, such as Patmos with its historic monastery or stunning Santorini.

    Prior to making its decision, the merchant marine ministry thoroughly examined security issues, sources said. The decision was also reached in close cooperation with the Greek foreign ministry and the Council's General Secretariat.

    At present, the main focus of the Greek presidency for shipping is maritime safety and maritime security against terrorism and other illegal acts.

    [10] Greek consumers massively participate in boycott day

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    The vast of majority of Greek consumers refrained from buying on Tuesday participating in a national consumers' boycott against unjustified price increases, organized by INKA, Greece's largest consumer group.

    INKA's first estimates showed that consumers in Athens in the rest of the country reduced their shopping by as much as 80 percent.

    According to the consumer group's estimates, consumers' abstention from shopping in food, supermarkets and groceries stores reached 70 percent, while turnover in the wholesale sector totalled 80 percent.

    Under the boycott plan, Greek consumers were asked to cut-off electricity and hang-off telephones for a period of 10 minutes at 22.00 local time, to protest against increased prices by public sector and utility enterprises.

    [11] Civil servants warn of widespread strike actions over pay rises

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Greece's Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) on Tuesday warned the government over a new round of dynamic strike actions in the public sector, while GSEE, Greece's largest trade union umbrella, sent a clear message to the government saying that unions would not accept new regulations in labor relations that would further worsen their position.

    ADEDY's chairman, K.Papaspyros, told reporters that civil servants would begin their mobilizations this weekend in Thessaloniki demanding higher pay raises for next year and an additional pay for this year due to a higher inflation rate in the country.

    Mr. Papaspyros expressed his worry that workers were facing a new round of extended austerity and accused the government of backtracking over its pledges in the tax and incomes policies.

    ''We have enough flexibility in the labor market,'' Christos Polyzogoulos, GSEE's chairman, told reporters after a meeting with Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

    Polyzogopoulos urged for increased pay rises to pensioners and noted that the trade union would resist a wave of price increases in the country.

    GSEE's chairman said he supported consumers' boycott noting it was strengthening workers' reflects.

    [12] Gov’t defends price increases by public sector enterprises

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Tuesday defended public sector enterprises' pricing policies and rejected main opposition ND party's accusations that public sector companies were mainly responsible for increased inflation in the country.

    Speaking reporters, Mr. Protopapas said that Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told a cabinet meeting that less than half of a total of 19 public sector enterprises have increased their prices this year.

    Mr. Christodoulakis said that Public Power Corporation raised its prices by 3.85 percent, Hellenic Post increased their prices by 9.9 percent, national television channel ERT's prices were unchanged along with mass transport, while Athens Water raised its prices by 12.5 percent, Piraeus Port Organization announced an 1.0 percent rise, Olympic Airways raised its prices by 7.5 percent and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization gradual reduced its prices by 15 percent this year.

    The government spokesman said that these changes have been recorded in the last four years and that their final impact on inflation was minimal.

    He said that a 10 percent increase in traffic duties this year were decided after a five-year freeze.

    Protopapas said that the government supported Mr. Christodoulakis' analysis that price increases were the result of market practices and the "responsibility for this development lies with all citizens."

    [13] Main opposition leader meets GSEBE trade group

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy on Tuesday said the government's stance regarding the wave of price rises on the high street was two-faced, following a meeting between ND leader Costas Karamanlis and the General Confederation of Professionals and Light Industry (GSEBE).

    ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos accused the government of playing it both ways, with ministers coming out in support of Tuesday's consumer boycott even though the government had been the first to raise prices through public utilities.

    According to Roussopoulos, this governmental support was a crass propaganda ploy that sought to dupe the public, while he pointed to the 10 per cent rise in road tax rates that would be passed by the government later in the day in Parliament.

    He stressed the need for a change in economic policy that would bring true convergence with other EU countries.

    Another high-ranking member of the main opposition, George Alogoskoufis, described Tuesday's boycott by consumers as absolutely justified but noted that the main culprit behind the high prices was government policy. It was therefore hypocritical for the representatives of this policy to identify with the consumer movement, he added.

    GSEBE president Dimitris Petsos noted that small businesses were not those that determined prices but large ones, and that his meeting with Karamanlis had focused on the sector's problems.

    [14] World Bank VP briefed on Athens' Balkan Reconstruction Plan

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos on Tuesday received World Bank vice-president Jean-Francois Rischard at the foreign ministry, with the World Bank’s possible participation in Athens’ ambitious Balkan Reconstruction Plan via various co-financing schemes dominating talks.

    “We requested such cooperation as well as the Bank’s know-how on issues that deal with the monitoring and evaluation of development programs. Additionally, we also decided to keep in constant contact (with the World Bank) over Greece’s programs in the Middle East, as well as for support programs for SMEs,” Loverdos told reporters afterwards.

    [15] New Athens airport's eateries rated among world's best

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    The new Athens airport at Spata is apparently bucking the latest inflationary trend in the country, as its restaurants and eateries were rated first in Europe and second internationally by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in terms of quality and value.

    IATA’s report, compiled between April 2001 and March 2002, surveyed the quality and variety of foods, prices, access, cleanliness, the general decor of restaurants as well as customers’ satisfaction in arriving at its ratings.

    The report gave the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, which opened in March 2001, similar high marks during the third trimester of 2001.

    The news came on the heels of the recent opening of an “Olive Tree” outlet at the Athens airport offering traditional Grecian and Mediterranean cuisine.

    [16] Greek stocks resist pressures, end slightly higher

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended Tuesday's session slightly higher on the Athens Stock Exchange, recovering from its initial losses with the help of a late wave of buying blue chip stocks.

    Traders said that the Greek bourse managed to resist pressures from declining prices in international markets.

    The general index ended 0.24 percent higher at 2,104.62 points, after losing more than 1.0 percent of its value in intra-day transactions.

    Turnover was a low 69.2 million euros.

    The Construction, Retail and Wholesale sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.59 percent, 1.18 percent and 1.07 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Food-Beverage and Telecommunications sectors suffered the heaviest losses (1.20 percent, 1.08 percent and 0.79 percent).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index of blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.39 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.71 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.38 percent up.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 165 to 142 with another 46 issues unchanged.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Football Pools Organization, Balafas, Public Power Corporation, and Coca-Cola HBC.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 112.5 mln euros Tuesday.

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At a slight premium

  • Underlying Index: +0.39 percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At fair value

  • Underlying Index: +0.71 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Panafon (267)

    Day's Market Turnover: 112.5 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Turnover at 2.0 bln euros Tuesday.

  • Day's Turnover: 2.0 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 5-yr, expiring 4/2007 (235 mln euros)

  • Benchmark 10-year bond spread over bund: 35 bps

    [17] Migrant-laden boat sinks in SW Greece ;2 dead, others missing

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    The bodies of two men were pulled from the waters off the southwest Peloponnese on Tuesday after a fishing boat apparently ferrying a group of would-be migrants from a freighter sank early in the morning.

    Another seven or eight people, all believed to be Pakistanis, were still missing in the late afternoon, authorities said.

    Another 36 illegals were arrested on shore near the Kalo Nero site of the Kyparissia district, southwest of Athens.

    According to initial reports, the illegal immigrants were transported off the Peloponnese coast by a freighter that left an unidentified Turkish port five days ago.

    Search efforts were continuing at press time by patrol boats, fishing vessels and helicopters.

    [18] 'Woman in the Shadow and the Light' exhibition opens in Athens

    Athens, 04/09/2002 (ANA)

    An exhibition of articles on women's issues, art and photographs entitled ''Woman in the Shadow and the Light' has opened in Athens' Art Loft gallery, organized by the European Network of Greek Women Journalists, which acts as coordinator for the community program 'So Now You Know', which is part of the ''Gender Equality Community Strategy''.

    The exhibition opened its doors on Monday night and features 450 newspaper cuttings tracking women's efforts for human rights and problems such as the trade in women, domestic violence and the effort to gain access to decision-making centers.

    It will run until September 8.

    [19] UN-led peace talks continue in Nicosia

    NICOSIA 04/09/2002 (CAN/ANA)

    Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had here today their last meeting, within the framework of the UN-led Cyprus talks, prior to their departure for Paris, where they will meet Friday with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The meeting was held in the presence of UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto and the aides of the two leaders.

    UN-led direct talks have been going on since mid January this year. No substantive progress has been achieved towards a comprehensive settlement in the talks because of Denktash's insistence on two separate "sovereign states". The Greek Cypriot side has made it clear it insists on one state with a single sovereignty.

    UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is likely to sound the two leaders out about UN intentions to put forward an outline of a solution to facilitate a process of give and take, with a view to reach a compromise agreement.

    The UN are said to have already prepared such a document, on the basis of past non papers and the most recent discussions between the two leaders.

    [20] Vassiliou says Europe not ready to set dates for Turkey

    LARNACA 04/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    Europe is not prepared to give any definite dates regarding Turkey's European Union accession course, Cyprus' Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou said here on Tuesday.

    Vassiliou told CNA that Cyprus' EU accession course was ''on the right track'' and that the final decision of the European Commission, to be taken on October 16, was of paramount importance because it will show whether Cyprus meets all the necessary preconditions to become a member of the EU and a recommendation will then be made.

    Speaking on departure for Brussels, to participate in the discussion on the progress report the Commission is preparing for Cyprus' accession, Vassiliou said the report is ''an evaluation of what has been done so far in Cyprus''.

    He added that ''because this is the last report prepared before the European Council decision on accession, it is of paramount importance''.

    Asked what he expected the result of the report to be, Vassiliou said ''we are on the right track''.

    Referring to Turkey, Vassiliou said Europe was not prepared to give any definite dates regarding its accession course ''because it does not consider Turkey to be ready''.

    He added that ''it is within Cyprus' interests for Turkey to proceed as far as it can and reach the point of being given a date for the start of accession talks because this would mean that Turkey is moving on the road towards democracy and Europe''.

    ''It is unthinkable for Cyprus to be occupied by Turkish troops and for Turkey to seek EU membership,'' Vassiliou noted.

    Invited to comment on the verbal attack by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel against European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen, Vassiliou said ''with shouting and criticism'' Turkey will get nowhere.

    ''If there is one thing we have learned all these years in the negotiations with the EU, it is that you achieve nothing by shouting. It is only through persuasion that you can move forward'', he said.

    Vassiliou added that ''when the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs publicly starts shouting and criticizing the European Commission he does not serve any purpose at all, least of all his own country, unless his oral remarks were made for domestic consumption, having in mind that Turkey is moving towards elections at the present stage''.

    [21] Turkish Cypriots to emigrate due to Turkey's plans

    NICOSIA 04/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    Turkish Cypriots are preparing to emigrate from the island due to Turkey's plans to annex the areas it occupies since 1974, according to Turkish Cypriot newspaper ''Afrika'', which adds that Turkey is planning to send more settlers to Cyprus to replace the emigrants.

    The daily accuses Turkey of blocking the way of the Turkish Cypriots towards a solution of the Cyprus problem and accession to the European Union and wonders: ''For how long will the UN and the EU ignore the fact that Turkey keeps the Turkish Cypriots hostage for the sake of its own strategic interests?''

    In Monday’s issue, ''Afrika'' notes that the preconditions Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash ''lays on the table are not the views of the Turkish Cypriots but the preconditions of Ankara''.

    ''The sovereignty demanded is not the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots. The intention is to represent the sovereignty of Turkey here'', the newspaper adds.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash have been engaged in direct UN-led talks since January this year to solve the problem.

    ''Afrika'' says that the overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots favors a federal solution of the Cyprus problem and accession to the EU, adding that ''no one wants unification with Turkey except Denktash and his circles, who looted Cyprus''.

    The newspaper notes that if Turkey annexes the occupied areas, ''the emigration from the island will be intensified''.

    According to Turkish Cypriot reports, more than 40.000 Turkish Cypriots have emigrated because of the unbearable conditions created in the occupied areas by the Turkish occupation troops and thousands of Turkish colonist settlers brought in, as part of Ankara's designs to change the island's demographic character.

    Some 120.000 Turkish Cypriots represented 18 per cent of the island's population before the 1974 Turkish invasion. They were outnumbered by some 40.000 Turkish troops and more than 80.000 colonist settlers, who were given ''Turkish Cypriot citizenship'' by the Denktash regime.

    [22] Germany expects Cyprus to become full EU member soon

    NICOSIA 04/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    Germany expects that Cyprus will soon become a full member of the European Union, the country's new Ambassador here Jochen Trebesch has said, assuring that his country will do everything possible to contribute towards this direction and to help UN Secretary General's efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    Trebesch, who met on Tuesday with the President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias, said he agreed with the latter that this period is crucial for Cyprus and that serious decisions must be taken.

    Christofias briefed the Ambassador on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, stressing the need to continue efforts to reach a settlement based on the UN relevant resolutions and the High Level Agreements providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

    This solution, he added, must safeguard Cyprus indivisible sovereignty and territorial integrity and the human rights of the people of Cyprus. He referred to the efforts for rapprochement between the two communities in Cyprus and briefed Trebesch on Cyprus accession course towar


    Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
  • Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ana2html v2.01 run on Wednesday, 4 September 2002 - 19:43:17 UTC