Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis, ND leader issue messages for Sept. 11 anniversary

[02] US envoy praises Greece's contribution in fight against int'l terrorism

[03] Gov't meeting sets flood relief, compensation measures in motion

[04] Simitis chairs PASOK party meeting

[05] Deputy foreign minister meets with Russian ambassador

[06] Papantoniou briefs Greek Eurodeputies on European security and defense policy

[07] Serb culture minister talks to ANA about improving conditions in his country

[08] Coalition leader demands ample light be shed on ''N17'' case

[09] Appellate council approves DNA testing for ''N17'' case

[10] ND Athens mayoral candidate meets Barnier & Palacio in Brussels

[11] Diamantopoulou concludes visit in Israel and Palestinian Territories

[12] EU's Verheugen hopes for clear initiative from new Turkish gov't on Cyprus issue

[13] Parliament President assures new Chinese Ambassador of safe Olympic Games

[14] Delegation of Chinese journalists meet with press & media minister

[15] U.S. Consulate organizes Sept. 11 memorial in Thessaloniki

[16] Greek tourism board chief: We want to win back the Americans

[17] US tour operators reaffirm tourist interest for Greece

[18] Greece repeats opposition to cuts in EU cotton subsidies

[19] Greeks resort to part-time work, survey shows

[20] OA expects up to 10 bln drachmas profit this year

[21] Banks to act as go-between for smaller firms seeking EU funds

[22] Greek stocks drift lower in record-low turnover

[23] Culture minister presents bill on sports, Athens 2004 Games

[24] IPC president begins two-day visit to Athens on Wednesday

[25] Three-man crew dies in industrial accident at Motor Oil plant

[26] Witness says Lesperoglou was the culprit in attempted murder

[27] Appeals court orders 'Express Samina' captain, crewmembers to stand trial

[28] EU deadline for views on Data Protection legislation ends 15 September

[29] Rights groups report rampant trafficking in Albanian children

[30] New AIDS reported cases on the decline for 7th straight year

[31] USA supports UN chief's good offices mission on Cyprus

[32] Preparations for annual military exercise continue, says minister

[01] PM Simitis, ND leader issue messages for Sept. 11 anniversary

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

''All humanity arrived at the understanding that a global catastrophe was a real possibility,'' Simitis said, while emphasizing the thousands that lost their lives and the thousands of families that were still experiencing the trauma of loss.

''We are close to them, we express our support,'' the prime minister stressed.

Simitis also underlined that the terrorist strike had a negative impact on the world economy and international relations, and had harmed every country in the world.

He said that September 11 had shown that democracy and an open society were gains that had to be protected and that humanity's progress was the common business of all peoples and all nations.

''Only together can we impose the values of peace, democracy and humanism ...and ensure the defeat of those that believe in fanaticism and violence,'' the Greek premier said.

September 11 should not be an anniversary of the ''clash of cultures'' but a reminder not to let fanaticism interfere in the ''meeting of cultures'' and the brotherhood of nations, he added.

''We must not go back to the times when humanity was separated by hatred, prejudice, blind and raw violence. We must all live on this world together,'' he concluded.

Karamanlis: On his part, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis also commented on the solemn occasion.

''A year after the terrorist attacks in the United States, which shook humanity, we must all pay tribute to the thousands of victims, many of whom were of Greek descent. Sept. 11, 2001 is a day of terror and fear; a day when world history turned a page," he said.

“This abhorrent strike reminded all of the world’s citizens that nothing is given and self-evident. This unprecedented event has forced leaders and peoples to make the campaign against terrorism a priority,” the ND leader stressed.

''Our sympathy to the tried American people was absolute and unpretentious. Our support to the International Alliance against terrorism was expressed out rightly.

''We believe that the Alliance of Peace which was set up following the murderous strike in the U.S. for the confrontation of international terrorism constitutes an important conquest for the world community.

''A one way street for the World Community is also the undertaking of the same coordinated and effective action for the eradication of crises centers and chaotic economic and social differences which lead states and peoples into isolation and fuel intolerance and fanaticism,'' Karamanlis concluded.

On his part, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos in a press conference in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, said that the syndrome of security which came about following the September 11 attack did not bring stability in the world.

''The dramatic events of September 11, 2001, instead of becoming a cause for a peaceful world, led to war-mongering polarization with the divisive dogma of Mr. Bush, 'whoever is not with us is against us','' Constantopoulos said.

''The coalition against terrorism led to the regime of lasting war,'' the Coalition leader said and accused the U.S. of ''imperial behavior.''

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) spokesman Spyros Koutsouvelis said ''the tragic events of September 11 which took place under unqualified and dark conditions gave a pretext to the extreme forces of the American-motivated New Order to attempt to impose its absolute political, economic and military supremacy throughout the planet.''

[02] US envoy praises Greece's contribution in fight against int'l terrorism

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

US ambassador Thomas Miller spoke at his official residence a few hours after both Greece’s Prime Minister Costas Simitis and main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis, among others, issued statements regarding the solemn occasion. Meanwhile, three high-profile events are planned in the Athens area on Wednesday, including a memorial service in the morning at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, which will be officiated by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.

Miller spoke at length about the effects that the “air-terror” attacks have had on his country and the world, while again praising Athens for its contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, including the dispatch of Greek troops to war-ravaged Afghanistan, naval support in ongoing operations and cash for the new regime in Kabul.

“The overwhelming sentiment in Greece over the past year has been sympathy and understanding since Sept. 11,” the ambassador said.

In terms of wider security concerns directly affecting Greece, Miller offered his opinion that preparations for the 2004 Olympics in Athens are “moving well … they are still two years away”, before hastening to add that Washington and a group of six other nations act only in a “supplementary role” to the Greek government, which retains overall responsibility for ensuring problem-free Games.

Asked about possible activities in the Balkans of extremist groups, including and similar to “al-Qaida”, the US envoy noted that “Greek authorities are more on top of this” than other Balkan states.

In fielding other questions, he said Washington is “pretty sure of who is responsible (for the attacks) due to some very good police work”; that it is very difficult to batch together bits and pieces of information to pre-empt any such strikes, and finally, that “there’s no solid evidence” Osama bin Laden is alive or dead.

The US embassy will also organize an afternoon event at the ambassador’s residence in remembrance of 9/11, while the Greek foreign ministry is sponsoring a concert at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), entitled “Ground Zero: A year of remembrance”. Additionally, the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) will observe a two-minute interruption of trading at 2:46 p.m. (local time) in remembrance of the 9/11 victims.

Finally, Miller mentioned that the mayors of New York and Washington will be in Athens next week to attend an international meeting of major world cities’ mayors.

[03] Gov't meeting sets flood relief, compensation measures in motion

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Specifically, it was decided that the 586.94-euro emergency relief awarded to victims of natural disasters would in this case also be extended to small businesses as an advance on any compensation that they were due.

In a meeting with Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and the new head of the Civil Protection Secretariat Giannis Georgakopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said the government needed to ''approach the people and make them understand that citizens have our support''.

The meeting was devoted to anti-flooding measures and compensation for flood victims.

Emerging from the meeting, Skandalidis predicted that the measures decided would ensure that all the procedures for compensating flood victims would be in place in a month's time.

He said that the development ministry would not wait until all the damages had been approved before paying compensation to businesses, while three billion drachmas would be paid out in the form of loans and 30 per cent would be given free.

Private homes that had not suffered great structural damage would each receive up to 4,500 euros in free state aid after the damage had been assessed. In addition, banks, tax offices and public utilities had been instructed to 'freeze' debts owed to them by flood victims.

Skandalidis announced that three citizens advice centers were operating in the municipalities of Moschato, Rendi and Faliro from Tuesday, where 80 environment ministry employees would carry out damage assessments, while an additional 80 members of staff had been detached to the Moschato and Rendi municipalities.

Skandalidis also announced that the municipal councils in these areas would receive the 4.4 million euros they had asked for to cover their infrastructure needs.

[04] Simitis chairs PASOK party meeting

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

[05] Deputy foreign minister meets with Russian ambassador

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

At the meeting, Botcharnikov briefed the deputy minister over the Russian position on the Iraq issue and conveyed Moscow’s intention to dispatch to Athens President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to Kaliningrand to brief the Greek government.

Botcharnikov conveyed his country's wish to organize in Moscow a fair with Greek products during the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003.

The Russian ambassador also said he was planning to hold a celebration at his embassy on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Russian foreign ministry’s foundation and in order to pay tribute to Greece’s first Governor and former Russian foreign minister Ioannis Kapodistrias.

[06] Papantoniou briefs Greek Eurodeputies on European security and defense policy

BRUSSELS 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Papantoniou said it is expected that in the coming months the military objectives that were raised in Helsinki for the establishment of a European rapid reaction force will be completed, in the context of efforts by the European Union to acquire operational capability in dealing effectively with international crises. He further stressed that the main objective of the general military target (Headline Goal) is for the operational preparedness of a 60,000-strong force.

The defense minister told the Eurodeputies that the basic parameter for the EU's operational capability is the lifting of obstacles and the shaping of a framework of permanent settlements between the European Union and NATO.

Finally, Papantoniou stated that the Greek presidency is seeking close cooperation with the European Parliament, given that the European security and defense policy constitutes an element of the European integration and aims in strengthening the international role of the European Union.

[07] Serb culture minister talks to ANA about improving conditions in his country

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to the ANA, Lecic said that conditions in Serbia were improving following the collapse of the oligarchic, authoritarian regime established by former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, adding that private citizens do not fear for their survival anymore.

''Today Serbian citizens claim their rights in freedom and the country began the reconstruction, achieving currency stability and combating the 'black economy' phenomena, thus establishing the preconditions for reforms and foreign investment,'' he said.

He added that those reforms were moving, albeit slowly, with citizens understanding the problems that still exist, forcing austerity measures.

A measure of the Serbian success, he said, is the return of many of Serbia's youth and scientists that left the country owing to economic troubles and the political conditions.

Speaking of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Lecic underlined that they constitute a significant event not only for Greece, but also for the region at large and the whole world at that.

He also said that due to the Olympic Games the works for the completion of European Corridor 10, passing through Serbia would be hastened. The minister also said that Serbia will participate actively in the events for the Cultural Olympiad.

[08] Coalition leader demands ample light be shed on ''N17'' case

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Constantopoulos expressed his party’s intense, as he called it, opposition to “efforts made by several centers to promote the terrorism issue as the central political issue within the Greek society and political life.''

The Coalition leader characterized “N17” activities as criminal, stressing that his party was adamantly against “enabling that group to achieve now what they failed to achieve for years, in other words to render terrorism fetus material for political developments and conservative step back”.

Constantopoulos launched strong criticism against Prime Minister Costas Simitis, saying that in his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair last week, he had described Greece “as he alone sees it, a country where everything is in impeccable order and a government that does everything right”.

On the upcoming local government elections, the Coalition leader said that they would present an opportunity for voters to send a message about a more pluralistic and meritocratic local administration.

[09] Appellate council approves DNA testing for ''N17'' case

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Acting on a request by the Anti-terrorism Squad to allow the results of DNA testing to be compared to evidence collected at various hide-outs of the terrorist group, the appellate court judges determined that the DNA testing results have for 15-years been used as court evidence in all civilized countries and that this method has been effectively used in terrorism-related cases.

The Anti-terrorism Squad request submitted a list including over 150 samples to be assessed through comparison with the DNA material of a total of 16 suspects in the “N17” case.

[10] ND Athens mayoral candidate meets Barnier & Palacio in Brussels

BRUSSELS 11/09/2002 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Speaking to journalists after her meetings with Commissioner for regional policy Michel Barnier and Commissioner for transport Loyola de Palacio, Bakoyianni said that their reactions were ''positive provided the self-evident precondition that the programs will be of European standards and competitive''.

Bakoyianni said that she discussed with Barnier, in detail, programs for the waste management, recycling, parking and projects to upgrade regions of the Athens municipality, while with Palacio she discussed renewable sources of energy use.

[11] Diamantopoulou concludes visit in Israel and Palestinian Territories

BRUSSELS 11/09/2002 (ANA)

During her stay, Diamantopoulou met with Israel Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and the Palestinian Labor Minister Ghassan Khatib, as well as with Israeli and Palestinian women's organizations.

The commissioner addressed an event on the contribution of women to peace, stressing the problems they face during armed conflicts.

She stressed that the European Union operates as a catalyst for the promotion of dialogue in the troubled region in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, a forum that includes all those entangled in this conflict.

[12] EU's Verheugen hopes for clear initiative from new Turkish gov't on Cyprus issue

BRUSSELS 11/09/2002 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Addressing the European Parliament's foreign relations committee, Verheugen did not preclude the possibility of positive developments on the Cyprus issue by the end of this year, saying that a resolution on the political problem in Cyprus is undoubtedly lagging behind, but “it is not too late yet”.

The EU commissioner characterized the steps taken by Cyprus toward EU accession as positive, adding that he did not want to pre-empt the final political decisions to be taken by the European Council in Copenhagen in December.

He called Ankara’s position that Cyprus, on constitutional grounds, cannot join the EU prior to Turkey’s accession as erroneous and unacceptable by the EU, pointing out that the government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only legal representative of Cyprus on the international arena.

With regard to non-participation so far of Turkish-Cypriots in EU accession negotiations for Cyprus, he clearly said that responsibility lay with the policy of the Turkish-Cypriot leadership, pointing to Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides’ positive stance on the issue.

Verheugen referred to the decisions taken on the Cyprus issue by the recent Summit in Seville, noting that if there are certain political elements on the resolution of the Cyprus issue, they could be taken into consideration in the Treaty for Cyprus’ EU accession – even at the last moment.

Finally, the commissioner stressed that as far as the EU is concerned, it is necessary that Cyprus have “one voice”, one central-power body “in a position to take decisions” and “strong government structure to enable it to apply the acquis communautaire throughout its entire dominion”.

[13] Parliament President assures new Chinese Ambassador of safe Olympic Games

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

''The necessary infrastructure for the successful holding of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games is being prepared, while the eradication of terrorism by the Greek police and the measures which have been planned fully secure their safe holding,'' Kaklamanis said.

''The return in 2004 of the Olympic Games to the country they were born and their holding in Beijing in 2008 allow for a time margin in order for Greece and China to cooperate for the return of the Olympic spirit which has been eclipsed these past years through their commercialization,'' the Parliament President added.

Ambassador Tang Jhenqi conveyed to Kaklamanis the warm congratulations of China for the eradication of the ''November 17'' terrorist group and expressed the conviction that with the return of the Olympic Games to their country of origin the initial spirit of the Games will be rekindled.

[14] Delegation of Chinese journalists meet with press & media minister

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

This visit was part of a program of exchange between China and Greece, held for the past five consecutive years, organized by the Greek Press and Media Ministry and the Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA).

The delegation is also scheduled to meet with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and officials of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games organizing committee.

[15] U.S. Consulate organizes Sept. 11 memorial in Thessaloniki

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

''A year after the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, the Greek government participates in memorial events for the innocent victims of that day. We feel the pain of the American people, we participate in the sorrow of 90 countries that counted their own among the victims,'' Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis said, addressing the event on the part of the Greek government.

On his part, U.S. Consul John Koening noted northern Greece's assistance following the terrible attack, stressing ''America will never forget the sympathy and solidarity during the days and months that followed that attack''.

[16] Greek tourism board chief: We want to win back the Americans

NEW YORK 11/09/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Patellis said his six-day visit, which ends of September 12, was an opportunity to set in a motion a series of cooperative advertising and marketing campaigns with US tour operators.

He said the campaign was based on Greek words that had become incorporated into English - such as mathematics, gastronomy, philosophy and others - in order to stress that Greece was not just about tzatziki and moussaka but also a great culture that was worth seeing close up. Another aspect was to market Attica as a long-stay destination, especially in view of the 2004 Olympics in Athens

According to Patellis, the five-million-dollar co-op program would cost Greece 2.5 million dollars.

On the GNTO's overall strategy, Patellis expressed optimism about the future of the tourism industry in Greece, saying it offered a good tourism product that should allow it to ride the crisis that followed the September 11 attacks.

''Our main goals at this time are to replace the Germans, who are fewer because of the economic crisis. Our two goals are America and China, a rising market, since our Olympics will be followed by those of China,'' he said.

[17] US tour operators reaffirm tourist interest for Greece

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Mr. Patellis is currently visiting the US accompanied by the chairman of HATTA (Greek Association of Travel Agencies), Yiannis Evangelou.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Mr. Patellis announced a program of cooperation between GNTO and US universities. Under the program, Princeton University will choose five senior students to visit Greece, to take photographs, exhibit them and write their impressions of the country.

Mr. Patellis will participate in events marking the September 11 and will also meet with Archbishop of America Demetrios.

He will leave New York on Thursday to continue his tour in Canada.

[18] Greece repeats opposition to cuts in EU cotton subsidies

COPENHAGEN 11/09/2002 (ANA/M Kourmousi)

At an EU farm ministers' meeting in Denmark, Agriculture Minister George Drys said that a target of achieving quality goods and safe foods could not cast aside social factors that added to cost; and the residents of farming areas should be encouraged to remain there.

Sources say that the contentious issue of cotton subsidies is likely to shift into Greece's rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003.

[19] Greeks resort to part-time work, survey shows

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Workers found that part-time employment was an enforced choice when full-time work was unavailable, the survey, released on Tuesday, indicated.

Forty percent of people in Greece employed for a year in part-time work secured full-time jobs in the following year against an EU average of 19.4 percent, it added.

[20] OA expects up to 10 bln drachmas profit this year

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Replying to a question by the parliamentary commission on Public Enterprises, Banks and Public Utility Organizations, Kalofonos said that in August 2002, the company’s operational income equaled its expenses, while profits of 8-10 billion drachmas were expected by the end of this year.

Kalofonos attributed OA’s positive prospects to a 30% fare-increase per customer, fewer regional OA flights and improvements in material management, such as the sale of old aircraft and surplus engines.

With regard to the causes of the company’s up until recently “negative” course, he said that the employment contracts as they had turned out did not match the workers’ productivity, wrong aircraft had been in use, never any profits, only to fly everywhere was demanded from OA during the past 15-20 years and that external factors such as New York’s terrorist attacks of September 11 and fuel price-increases had aggravated the situation.

[21] Banks to act as go-between for smaller firms seeking EU funds

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday met the head of the Union of Greek Banks, Theodoros Karatzas, to discuss the arrangement, which takes effect in October.

Karatzas is also chairman of the National Bank of Greece, the country's largest credit institution.

[22] Greek stocks drift lower in record-low turnover

Athens, 11/09/2002 (ANA)

The general index eased 0.03 percent to end at 2,036.26 points, with turnover falling at a three-year record low of 46.1 million euros.

The IT Solution, Holding and Investment sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.94 percent, 1.76 percent and 1.38 percent, respectively), while the Cement (+1.81 percent), Bank (+1.29 percent) and IT (+0.27 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.08 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.07 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.30 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 158 to 128 with another 62 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, Axon Holding, Intracom, and Technical Olympic.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 67.5 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: