Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-28

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] Karamanlis begins tour of Larissa; blasts gov't's public sector record

[02] PM to discuss Iraq with Danish counterpart, gov't spokesman says

[03] Greece's public order minister visits Slovenia

[04] Gov't comments on violence during Thursday's anti-war rallies

[05] Grossman hopes for successful NY meetings on Cyprus

[06] Turkey's Erdogan backs improved ties with Greece; Cyprus solution

[07] Interior minister promises 'perfect' electoral rolls by 2004

[08] Laliotis unveils PASOK slogan, strategy for upcoming local gov't election

[09] Too few women in 'Future of Europe' forum, Greek Commissioner says

[10] PM to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos

[11] Justice minister Petsalnikos briefs PM on ministry programs

[12] Public prosecutor visits two alleged 17N terrorists

[13] Amb. Mallias appointed as nat'l coordinator in Stability Pact

[14] Greek economy minister to participate in G7 conference

[15] The Greek EU presidency the focus of Giannitsis-SEB meeting

[16] Price of Greek shopping basket below EU average, but still high

[17] Greek weekly economic review

[18] Greek stocks find new support levels on Friday

[19] Culture ministry awards honorary diploma to Franco Zeffirelli

[20] Parliament's successful bid secures ancient Greek artifact

[21] Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Romano Prodi in Brussels

[22] Environment ministry to set up agency for water resource management

[23] President briefs National Council on peace talks

[24] Kasoulides: we will win the battle for EU accession

[25] Greek Euro MP certain of Cyprus' accession

[26] CoE Committee of Ministers President warns Turkey

[01] Karamanlis begins tour of Larissa; blasts gov't's public sector record

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

In earlier comments, Karamanlis launched into a stinging attack against Prime Minister Costas Simitis, taking aim at the premier’s recent inauguration of a state-affiliated service and complaint bureau for citizens in a remote central Greece village.

The ND leader called Simitis’ visit to the village for the bureau’s opening as nothing more than a “pre-election firework”.

“… it is well known that people without access to the ruling party are faced with an oppressing and slandering state sector, and not a state that serves (the public),” he said.

He also stressed that voters’ primary consideration in the upcoming local government elections should be to change the public sector’s very structure, noting that “nothing can be done in the country unless the state’s main problem, 'Greece’s sick man’, isn’t solved.”

Along those lines, he emphasized that necessary public sector reforms include new evaluation criteria; rewarding genuine effort and restoring a chain of organizational command, while he charged that mediocrity and petty partisan politics have led to corruption.

In speaking to a gathering of local business and labor leaders, Karamanlis sternly criticized the government’s economic policy, stressing that social and regional inequities have been magnified over recent years, while roughly one-fourth of all Greeks live under the EU’s poverty limit and that lackluster competitiveness is going hand in hand with ever-increasing foreign trade deficits.

Finally, the ND leader charged that the PASOK government has racked up more than a trillion drachmas (three billion euros) of accumulated losses over the years with state-run Olympic Airways and various public transports, before terming the state-owned telephone utility’s (OTE) investment in Romania as “scandalous”.

[02] PM to discuss Iraq with Danish counterpart, gov't spokesman says

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Responding to questions regarding the Greek government's position on Iraq, Protopapas referred reporters to previous statements and added that things were now at an extremely delicate phase, with the Greek government closely following the rapid chain of events.

[03] Greece's public order minister visits Slovenia

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

According to a public order ministry announcement, the two ministers will discuss issues of common interest and sign an agreement for police cooperation between Greece and Slovenia. It is hoped that this will help further strengthen cooperation between the two countries against crime, especially organized crime.

Particular attention will be paid to terrorism, the illegal drug trade, illegal migration, the movement of stolen vehicles, the smuggling of arms and nuclear or radioactive materials and financial crimes.

[04] Gov't comments on violence during Thursday's anti-war rallies

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

The spokesman was commenting on events during Thursday's anti-war rally outside the US and Israeli embassies, during which 50 hooded anarchists attacked and injured journalists covering the protest and damaged two vans belonging to TV stations.

The anarchists were forced back by organized groups of protestors, but police came in for criticism for not trying to protect the journalists.

Protopapas condemned the attack and stressed that the security forces did their utmost to protect the lives and property of citizens.

He said the Athens journalists union ESHEA should collaborate with the public order ministry in order to arrange protection of reporters' vehicles and crews alongside the other duties of security forces.

Finally, the government spokesman noted that there were different views regarding demands and the policing of marches and rallies, while pointing out that Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis had said that police forces would be withdrawn from marches, as repeatedly requested by the political parties.

ESHEA condemns incidents: The Athens journalists' union condemned the incidents in an announcement on Friday, while noting that this was the third attack against journalists and technical crews in recent months.

It also called on those organizing rallies and protests to ensure that these were carried out without incident, saying that it was inconceivable that journalists and TV crews doing their job should become the targets of unprovoked attacks while they worked.

"The public has a right to information and the government, parties and the competent authorities have an obligation to defend workers so that they can deliver this information," the announcement concluded.

[05] Grossman hopes for successful NY meetings on Cyprus

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to the Greek TV station MEGA, the US official pledged his country's support to Cyprus' accession to the EU, the Helsinki decision of 1999 and the UN Secretary-General's efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Invited to say whether he thinks there will be a solution to the Cyprus problem soon, Grossman said ''I hope so'', adding that the US supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and ''everything he is doing to try to bring these two leaders and parties together''.

Grossman said that what Clerides and Denktash are doing is ''very important and helped by the SG. So we very much look forward to his meetings in New York and I most fervently wish that it would come to some successful resolution'', he added.

Asked if there were no solution would he still support the accession of Cyprus to the EU, Grossman replied that the US policy ''all along has been to support the accession of Cyprus because we believe that the accession process is a very important helper into this. It is something that has added to it. It is something that makes people want to come forward with a solution. So we support the SG, we support the Helsinki decision of 1999 and we support Cyprus' accession to the EU''.

Invited to say whether he thinks there will be a crisis in the region with the island's accession to the EU, Grossman replied negatively, adding that he perceived the reverse from his conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus, George Papandreou and Ioannis Kasoulides. ''...All of us felt that there are a number of opportunities that intersect at the end of this year'', with the Cyprus talks in October, the EU making a statement about aspirants, including Turkey on October 9, the Turkish election on November 3 and the Copenhagen European Council on the 12th of December.

''I believe that if we are all smart and we are creative, then we can use this time together to create not a crisis but a big opportunity for the EU, for Greece, for Cyprus, and very much for Turkey as well'', he added.

To a question if he has the same evidence like the British whether Saddam Hussein is going to attack the British Bases in Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, Grossman said Saddam Hussein ''has been a leader who has used chemical weapons not only on his own population but on another country, so we think he intends to acquire these weapons''.

He said the whole purpose ''is to have him comply with Security Council resolutions so you and I and people of the US and the people of Greece don't ever have to face the question of whether he will use them or not''.

In his interview, Grossman praised the Greek government for ''the spectacular success'' it had with the 17 November terrorist group, noting that it is a ''wonderful contribution to the war on terrorism''.

He further said Greek-American relations ''are in a wonderful shape'' and ''we are very pleased with the status and the warmth and the incredible ties between Greece and the US''.

Grossman is due to visit Greece in November, at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce.

Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third, opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998.

The UN-led direct talks, which began in mid January, have yet to produce any substantive progress on the core issues under discussion (governance, security, territory and property).

The main stumbling block is Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's insistence on the creation of two separate states, which would come to an arrangement to cooperate under some kind of central administration.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides advocates what the UN resolutions provide for, that is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and one international personality.

Cyprus is set to conclude its membership talks in the next couple of months and expects to be invited to join the EU, together with another nine applicant countries.

According to the Helsinki conclusions, a political settlement would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for it and that all relevant factors will be taken into consideration.

[06] Turkey's Erdogan backs improved ties with Greece; Cyprus solution

ISTANBUL 28/09/2002 (ANA – A. Kourkoulas)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched the AKP’s election campaign before a large crowd of cheering supporters in Istanbul on Thursday. Although he is banned from running for office due to a previous conviction for “inciting religious hatred”, Erdogan vowed to promote his party as an “ordinary member”.

Referring to Greece, he said bilateral ties that are based on mutual economic interests will continue to develop amid a framework of trust generated from such relations.

“We will prepare the groundwork for a resolution of political problems, which are much more complex,” he told cheering supporters.

Regarding the standing Cyprus problem, Erdogan said he believes a solution must definitely be found, before adding: “It is indisputable that any (Cyprus) solution cannot ignore the Turkish people’s identity and its right to determine its own future.”

Moreover, he cited his support for a “Belgian model” of state administration on Cyprus, a large island in the eastern Mediterranean which remains divided into the Turkish-occupied northern third and the internationally recognized free areas under the Nicosia government.

Finally, he warned that the Cyprus problem will become even more “complex” if the island republic joins the European Union without a previous solution to its political problem.

Cyprus is among the front-runners to secure EU accession in the Union’s next wave of expansion.

[07] Interior minister promises 'perfect' electoral rolls by 2004

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

He also promised that the electoral rolls will have been perfected by the time the country held general elections in 2004.

Skandalidis was responding to questions put by main opposition New Democracy MPs in Parliament.

ND blamed the government for delays in creating new electoral rolls based on municipal registers - a process begun in 1998 and still not entirely completed - saying that interior ministry services had messed up and not provided local authorities with the support they needed to complete the job.

ND coordinator for public administration Vyron Polydoras also noted that the rolls had not yet been checked for women entered twice under their married and maiden names, while the addition of people that had been legally 'naturalized' was still outstanding.

The government was also criticized for delays in implementing the law by the smaller opposition parties.

In his response, Skandalidis pointed out that the job of drawing up new electoral rolls 40 years after they were first put together was a ''gigantic effort'', as was the job of correcting double entries that had exceeded one million in the previous rolls.

He also blamed some of the difficulties on the scant resources and poor organization in local authorities, where many municipal registers were not even computerized.

Despite the difficulties, he added, the double entries had been reduced to 65,000. He also pointed to the severe penalties for voting twice and ventured the opinion that no one would take that risk in the local elections.

[08] Laliotis unveils PASOK slogan, strategy for upcoming local gov't election

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

According to reports, PASOK will maneuver along the lines of attempting to promote the role of local government and its autonomy from the central government.

Meanwhile, Simitis was also briefed several high-ranking PASOK cadres over the ongoing Iraq crisis and the possibility of an US-led attack, before citing possible repercussions for the Greek economy.

Earlier, PASOK secretary Costas Laliotis gave a press conference where he unveiled the ruling party’s slogan for the Oct. 13 local government elections, namely, “You’ve got the power. Take a stand for your prefecture and municipality”.

The second round of the elections is on Oct. 20.

Laliotis said PASOK’s slogan is not in answer to main opposition New Democracy’s recently unveiled election battle cry of “Send a message”.

“... ours (slogan) demonstrates the different approach by the two parties to the municipal and prefectural elections,” he stressed.

[09] Too few women in 'Future of Europe' forum, Greek Commissioner says

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Diamantopoulou was speaking during a conference entitled "The Convention on the Future of Europe: Women speak openly" that was organized by the European Women’s Lobby in Brussels.

While the convention was making significant progress on a number of issues it was arguable whether the voice of women was really being heard, the Greek Commissioner added.

The protection of human rights and freedoms was a fundamental reason for creating the European Union, while the rights of women and equality between the sexes were at the core of European values, she stressed.

"European unification cannot progress unless the entire population, men and women, participates in its formulation," Diamantopoulou said.

She called on the EU to reinforce measures and policies against discrimination based on sex, against the sexual harassment and abuse of women and against the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children.

[10] PM to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

At 12:30, Simitis will receive the presidency of the Association of Turkish Industry.

[11] Justice minister Petsalnikos briefs PM on ministry programs

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Special mention was made of the upcoming terrorism trials, and Petsalnikos assured the premier that the judicial functionaries involved were fully aware of the 18-month statute of limitations and would be well within the deadlines, reliable sources told ANA.

Petsalnikos told reporters after the meeting that the rate of work at the ministry was completely satisfactory, and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State.

They also discussed the ministry's program for building new correction facilities throughout the country as well as drug detoxification (treatment) centers.

[12] Public prosecutor visits two alleged 17N terrorists

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

He visited the suspects as part of investigations being conducted by the counter-terrorist service on the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) and May 1st terrorist groups.

According to reports, both Tselentis and Kondylis reportedly did not refuse to inform Diotis of what they know on the case under investigation.

Diotis, the reports said, will visit the prison again over the next few days to take testimonies from more detainees on the case of the "November 17" group who might have evidence on other organizations.

[13] Amb. Mallias appointed as nat'l coordinator in Stability Pact

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

His appointment follows a decision by Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Mallias has served as Greece’s ambassador to Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia (FYROM), while he also headed a European Union delegation of observers to Bulgaria.

[14] Greek economy minister to participate in G7 conference

National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis will participate in the G7 economy ministers' conference that began on Friday here, representing the eurozone, as Greece holds the six-month rotating presidency of the 12-member European Union group.

On Saturday, Christodoulakis will hold a series of meetings at the sidelines of the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

On Sunday the Greek minister will address the opening session of the IMF and the World Bank and on Monday he will visit New York.

[15] The Greek EU presidency the focus of Giannitsis-SEB meeting

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Giannitsis briefed the industry’s representatives on the targets of the Greek presidency, as well as on issues currently handled by his ministry such as the EU enlargement, the possible US intervention in Iraq and issues pertaining to the Balkans, all of them forming part of the political environment in which the Greek presidency will operate during the first half of 2003.

The alternate foreign minister called for a close cooperation between the social partners and the government on issues of joint interest and referred to the possibility of an expanded range of events to take place throughout Greece within the framework of the Greek EU presidency.

The SEV leadership presented the minister with the Federation’s schedule of events in the light of the Greek presidency, while the minister reassured them of his ministry’s intention to promote a joint approach whenever feasible.

[16] Price of Greek shopping basket below EU average, but still high

BRUSSELS 28/09/2002 (ANA/G.Daratos)

With an EU average of 100, daily foodstuffs and cigarettes in Greece were grouped at 83, with Spain at 82, the Eurostat survey on the cost of foodstuffs said.

For meat, Greek prices were at 72 with Spain at 69; and for fish at 93 against 89 for Portugal.

The price of dairy products in Greece came to 102, above the EU average, with Spain at 86 and the Netherlands with Austria at 98.

Cigarettes were at 71 against 62 in Spain and 68 in Luxembourg, Eurostat added.

[17] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis also forecast that in case of a war in the Gulf Greece would suffer less compared with other European Union member-states. Economy and Finance Minister, Nikos Christodoulakis, said he expected a growth rate of 4.1 percent in 2003 and an inflation rate of 2.5 percent.

The government will spend 1.1 million euros on an advertising campaign to inform citizens over the value of small euro coins.

Agriculture Minister George Drys said that the European Union would respond to a Greek demand to offer additional compensation to Greek cotton producers for the year 2001/2002, by November.

Economy and Finance ministry announced a package of measures aimed to contain consumer price inflation in the country. The measures envisage more transparency in pricing policies, the imposition of penalties on businesses overcharging customers and the launch of a 10-day information campaign on the euro.

The ministry also published a list of 66 businesses and persons accused of major tax evasion and overcharging practices.

INKA, Greece's largest consumer organization, said that the number of consumers' complaints in the first eight months of 2002 exceeded the total of 2001, totalling 84,885. Slimming centers and banks topped the list of complaints.

[18] Greek stocks find new support levels on Friday

Athens, 28/09/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.18 percent higher at 1,882.93 points off the day's highs of 1,896, finding short-term support at the 1,870 level.

The Holding, IT and Construction sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.17 percent, 1.51 percent and 0.87 percent, respectively), while the Investment, Cement and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.79 percent, 0.43 percent and 0.33 percent).

Turnover was an improved 117.9 million euros.

The FTE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.09 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.66 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.23 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 168 to 127 with another 65 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net loss of 0.2 percent.

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

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 80.2 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: