Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU DMs promise to preserve European army limits

[02] PM and Danish premier discuss Brussels summit

[03] Foreign minister meets EU trade Commissioner in Athens

[04] Gov't on Cyprus' EU prospects, latest Denktash threats

[05] Foreign policy also concerned with social issues, FM says

[06] Gov't spokesman comments on minister's decision to sue radio station

[07] Karamanlis steps up criticism of gov't, days before municipal elections

[08] Families of four American victims of 'N17' file civil suit

[09] Greek govt unveils electronic public administration program

[10] FM promoting EU information program through Internet

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch meets US envoy to NATO in Brussels

[12] Anarchist statement criticizes ''comrades'' for recent violent attacks

[13] Current ASE levels do injustice to economy, Christodoulakis says

[14] Christodoulakis, Lamy discuss Greek EU presidency

[15] Greece ready to fund projects in Yugoslavia

[16] Alternate FM meets with British trade minister

[17] Greek stocks rebound strongly on Friday

[18] President Stephanopoulos at Balkan Wars anniversary event

[19] Papandreou Inst. survey reveals global discontent over environment

[20] Prosecutor orders probe into Internet reference to paper's attack

[21] Greek journalists work longer hours than their Italian counterparts, poll says

[22] Supreme Court begins deliberations over Samina, collapsed building case

[23] Greek-Belgian symposium focuses on human trafficking problem

[24] Fulbright holds US university information fair in Athens

[25] Annan says Cyprus talks to continue after Denktash recovers

[26] US supports UN-led Cyprus talks

[27] United Democrats and Republican Turkish Party leaders meet

[01] EU DMs promise to preserve European army limits

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, presiding over the conference in this Cretan city, said the 15 ministers agreed that by March 1, 2003 recommendations will be submitted by work groups involved in registering national contributions and the covering of deficiencies regarding the European rapid reaction force.

It was further agreed that a committee will be set up and will be composed of the 15 member-states' chief armaments alternate general directors.

The committee will convene at regular intervals and will examine the creation of a new body to propose ways of financing to cover vacuums registered, while taking into consideration the eurozone's Stability Pact, national budgets and the fiscal policy of each member-state.

Papantoniou reiterated that the European rapid reaction force would function complementarily and not competitively towards NATO's rapid reaction force.

The European army's exclusive mission will be peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, while NATO's rapid reaction force will include intervention and strike operations in its missions.

Relations between NATO and the EU were also discussed during the conference. The Greek presidency has expressed willingness to promote this issue on the basis of principles set at the Seville summit and in an effective way.

He clarified that what is known as the ''Ankara text'' does not exist, adding that it has been overcome.

Papantoniou stressed the need for decisions to be taken on the European army, because the feeling is being created that the undertaking is only going ahead with words with the risk of the EU's disdain and loss of credibility.

This undertaking will not be useful for the consolidation of Europe's presence on the world stage unless it goes ahead in practice.

Official decisions will be taken in Brussels on November 17-18 during the meeting of the EU's General Affairs Council.

The EU's 60,000-strong Rapid Reaction Force, which is due to become fully operational from next year, would need access to NATO assets to conduct even low-risk missions.

But NATO-member Turkey, which has long been knocking on the EU's door, wants to have a say in the force. Greece, a member of both blocs, does not want its traditional foe to take part in EU decision-making.

British and U.S. diplomacy produced a text on a defense agreement acceptable to Ankara last December, but Greece was quick to dismiss it, asking for changes.

With an eye to Cyprus, Greece demanded reciprocal assurances that NATO would never take action against an EU member state.

Hopes that a deal would be clinched at a summit in June were dashed after Ankara rejected amended proposals made by the EU.

Iraq: Issues concerning the establishment of a European rapid reaction force, covering its operational costs in conjunction with an increase in the defense spending of the EU member states, and the developments in Iraq are the topics of discussion at an informal meeting of EU defense ministers.

Concerning developments in Iraq, Greece's defense minister Yannos Papantoniou commented that Germany held a specific position, Britain's position was closer to that of the US, while France and possibly most of the European countries were maintaining a stance somewhere in between.

During the meeting, the EU defense ministers would weigh the situation so as to achieve a composite approach to the positions of the EU countries, Papantoniou said, adding that the firm, common target was Iraq's disarmament of weapons of mass destruction it possibly had.

He reiterated that the framework of action must not be decided unilaterally but through processes that respect legality, in the framework of the UN, adding that this was the position held by most of the EU member states.

[02] PM and Danish premier discuss Brussels summit

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Rasmussen is currently touring EU member-state capitals to prepare for the October 24-25 summit, during which the 15 EU leaders are due to name the countries set to complete enlargement talks in December in Copenhagen.

In statements after the meeting, Simitis said that another topic that would dominate the Brussels meeting would probably be Kalinigrad and EU-Russia relations, and any new developments concerning Iraq.

Noting that EU leaders at the Brussels summit would be called to assess the efforts of the 13 candidate-countries to meet the Copenhagen criteria, based on reports prepared by the European Commission, Simitis once again underlined the importance that Greece attaches to enlargement.

He also said that Athens was in favor of discussing the progress of all candidate-countries at Brussels, including Turkey, so that final decisions might be made at the EU summit in Copenhagen in December.

According to the premier, Cyprus was among the 10 candidate-countries that had enough progress in talks and accession negotiations, decisions for Bulgaria and Romania had been postponed until later and a date for starting accession negotiations with Turkey was yet to be decided.

He also stressed that the Greek side was in favor of decisions and measures that would allow the EU to cooperate ever more closely with Turkey and vice-versa.

The Danish premier was much more categorical in ruling out any date for Turkey at the Brussels meeting, saying that it did not fulfill the political criteria decided at Copenhagen.

While recognizing that the Balkan country had recently made significant progress, especially in legislative reforms, Rasmussen stressed that all the candidate countries would be judged by the same criteria and Turkey would only receive a date for the start of accession negotiations when it met these criteria.

Regarding the Brussels meeting, Rasmussen described this as a major milestone in EU plans to complete accession negotiations with the first wave of 10 candidate-countries in December.

The Brussels meeting would have to reach an agreement on tough outstanding issues that were linked to the time frame for the December enlargement, he said.

Among these he named the agricultural and structural funds packages and the Cyprus issue, once again expressing hope that a solution would be found that would allow the island to join united.

If this could not be achieved, the Helsinki summit decisions made a solution to the political problem desirable but not a necessary condition for the island republic's accession to the Community, he added.

The Danish EU presidency considered that all the parties involved had to make every possible effort to find a solution, Rasmussen concluded.

He also pointed out that a third major issue that EU leaders might need to discuss in October was the result of a second referendum on the Nice Treaty in Ireland, stressing that a second 'nay' vote to this by the Irish would create an unprecedented crisis for the EU.

[03] Foreign minister meets EU trade Commissioner in Athens

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

The two men noted full agreement on all issues, while Papandreou also called for mobilizing various bodies and non-governmental organizations, saying that European leaders should attempt to make contact with the anti-globalization movement and perhaps include its concerns in their agenda.

Lamy later met with Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis and Deputy FM Andreas Loverdos for talks on issues related to the upcoming Greek EU presidency and the Commission's agenda.

EU commissioner Lamy helps prepare Greek EU presidency: European Commissioner for trade Pascal Lamy discussed multilateral international trade negotiations, the development of the course of the Balkans and the support of the dialogue between the civil society and the trade sector, during meetings with officials in Athens.

During a press conference in Athens, Lamy explained that his presence in Greece was related to the preparation of the Greek EU presidency in the foreign trade sector, which will begin in Jan. 2003.

[04] Gov't on Cyprus' EU prospects, latest Denktash threats

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the latest threats by Rauf Denktash are, nevertheless, contrary to recent statements, viewed as more conciliatory, by veteran Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

The spokesman added that while a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem appears difficult at present, Athens remains supportive of relevant United Nations initiatives.

He also stressed that Cyprus’ EU accession course is proceeding smoothly – the island republic remains a frontrunner amongst the countries hoping to join the Union in its next wave of expansion – as it fulfills all the criteria for accession, whereas Greece will also safeguard its EU prospects.

Finally, the spokesman reiterated that Denktash’s remarks merely isolate Turkey and injure the latter’s EU prospects.

[05] Foreign policy also concerned with social issues, FM says

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

A critical problem of social interest, he said, was that of sustainable development.

The booklet attempts to analyze the meaning and prospects of sustainable development in a complex international environment.

Papandreou stressed his strong concern, which concern he said should be prevalent in the thoughts of all those in government throughout the world.

"Even if we succeed in halving the number of people living below the poverty level, the fight will not have been won," Papandreou said in his prologue, adding that the ever-widening chasm between the rich and poor..."locks every discussion".

[06] Gov't spokesman comments on minister's decision to sue radio station

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

''When a citizen comes under attack on issues that concern his good name, it is natural for him to defend himself in the manner that he considers appropriate,'' Protopapas said.

Making further clarifications on the issue that had sparked the whole affair - a decision to reroute a planned tram line away from the fragile Hadrian's Arch monument - the spokesman noted that the digging and other preliminary work on the original route had not exceeded 70 million drachmas (roughly 200,000 euros).

According to the spokesman, this showed that media criticism accusing the government of giving in to contractors and wasting public funds did not hold water.

Under original plans, the tramcars would have passed directly in front of Hadrian's Arch and work had begun on creating an anti-shock mat to absorb vibrations that might damage the well-known Roman-era monument. Last week, however, the particular route was scrapped and switched to Ardittou Street for fear that the monument would not be adequately protected.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who was the main target of media critics, on Thursday raised the stakes by filing a two-million-euro-plus lawsuit against SKAI for “defamation of his character”.

Venizelos, a noted constitutional scholar, also charged that while SKAI radio was lambasting him along with the government for the route change and incurred costs, an Athens daily (Kathimerini) belonging to the same publishing group as the radio station has vociferously criticized the government over the construction of an Olympic rowing center at the Schinias site.

Kathimerini has vigorously voiced its criticism over Olympics-related construction near the site where the battle of Marathon took place in antiquity, especially after three Bronze Age settlements were unearthed during excavation works last month.

Venizelos said that although the radio station and newspaper were taking him to task for requesting that tram cars avoid passing in front of Hadrian’s Arch, they nevertheless pressed for a cancellation of the Schinias Olympic center, which he said would tack on some 150 million euros in extra costs.

Venizelos on decision to sue: Responding to reports on this issue, Venizelos on Friday denied that he had been miffed by the station's satirical remarks, saying that he objected to direct references to vested interests and illegal gains unfairly and libelously linked to the government.

"Satire is one thing, criticism another and libel something else again," the minister noted in response to questions.

In a ministry announcement, Venizelos accuses certain circles of trying to complicate the tram issue for political reasons, even though the facts were simple.

"The new archaeological finds on Amalias Avenue do not allow the construction of an shock-absorbing mat and therefore prevent the tram from passing next to Hadrian's Arch.

"It's an insult to politics and common sense that some people see fit to complain because the culture ministry, taking the new facts into account, has taken measures to protect our cultural heritage," the announcement adds.

[07] Karamanlis steps up criticism of gov't, days before municipal elections

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

The ND leader spoke at a one-day seminar organized by the party’s secretariat for women’s issues, an event also attended by several high-ranking party cadres, ND’s secretary and its candidate for the Athens-Piraeus super prefecture.

“We’re continuing our opening to the rest of society, leaving the others at the extremes (of the political spectrum) they’ve selected. We’re not playing on the field of discord, on the rotten planks of intolerance…” Karamanlis told participants.

Less than 10 days before the first round of prefectural and municipal elections, the ND president added that his party is the one providing “a new dimension” to local government by relying on an “active citizenry”. He also appeared confident that ND’s candidates in the major races, including Yiannis Tzannetakos for super prefect, would win their races.

“In a few days Athens will have a woman as mayor and Piraeus will have a woman as prefect,” he added.

Finally, Karamanlis also commented on the 28th anniversary of New Democracy’s founding by his uncle and namesake Constantine Karamanlis.

“We are the forerunners and the true expression of the country’s European orientation; the party expressing the liberal volition, social solidarity and responsibility, the one that moves amid open horizons, the one that leads the country to security and certainty for a better future,” he stressed.

In a brief address, Tzannetakos reaped criticism on both Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the ruling party’s secretary, Costas Laliotis, saying both were exhibiting “political cowardice”.

ND secretary Vangelis Meimarakis said the party’s supports the women candidates that are independent and back a strong local government.

[08] Families of four American victims of 'N17' file civil suit

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

All four families will be represented by a single solicitor, who filed charges for the murders of CIA official George Chades on November 15, 1983, the attempted murder of US Sergeant

Robert Judd on April 3, 1984, the murder of US military attache William Nordeen on June 26, 1988 and the killing of US serviceman Ronald Stewart in a bombing by the group on March 10, 1991.

[09] Greek govt unveils electronic public administration program

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Addressing an official dinner, held by Helexpo in the framework of the 8th Information Applications Conference in Thessaloniki, Mr. Nikitiadis unveiled the program's six main strategic targets: -all citizens and businesses will have easy and safe access to the public administration through the Internet, -all public agencies will offer to citizens and businesses information, services and products through the Internet, -all Internet transactions will be certified easily and reliably, -all public agencies' portals will offer added value to citizens and businesses and will be used for real-time transactions, -all Internet transactions will be integrated, -all public agencies will use common tools and joint data banks.

''With the electronic polity we hope that by 2006 all citizens and all businesses will have easy access to services, products and information offered by public administration through the Internet, to satisfy their hopes and needs for safe, easy, rapid and reliable transactions with the public sector,'' Mr. Nikitiadis said.

[10] FM promoting EU information program through Internet

NEW YORK 05/10/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

A report in the newspaper’s website said that with Greece's assumption of the EU's presidency in the first half of 2003, the idea is maturing of greater involvement of the peoples of Europe in the EU's decision system.

Papandreou said that ''electronic democracy'', the continuous and direct contact through the Internet, has already been tried with great success, permitting Greece to communicate with overseas Greeks living in the four corners of the world.

''The more we create electronic democracy structures, the closer we come to the cultivation of global thought and global governance,'' Papandreou said to the newspaper's editors.

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch meets US envoy to NATO in Brussels

BRUSSELS 05/10/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Vartholomeos is in Brussels for meetings with European Commission President Romano Prodi and the president of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Valery Giscard D'Estaing.

During Friday's meeting, Vartholomeos informed the US ambassador about the Ecumenical Patriarchate's latest activities and problems.

[12] Anarchist statement criticizes ''comrades'' for recent violent attacks

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Written in a lingo used by groups and movements within the anarchist community, the statement makes a detailed reference to individuals that “suffer from bottomless confusion that leads them to the point to write honor slogans for Giotopoulos’ armed idiots”, adding that “it is inconceivable for anarchists to support murderers”.

“To the violence and lies ... of some TV channels and reporters”, the statement continues “anarchists respond with their daily respectable practice that does not turn them into terrorists or extortionists”.

Alexandros Giotopoulos, currently remanded in custody in an Athens penitentiary, is the suspected leader of the terrorist group “November 17” which was eradicated by the Greek police forces last summer after evading the authorities for 27 years.

[13] Current ASE levels do injustice to economy, Christodoulakis says

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

These issues were discussed during a meeting on Friday between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, ahead of submitting a 2003 draft budget plan to parliament on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Mr. Christodoulakis said that the Greek bourse was suffering from a ''negative bubble'', reflecting speculative practices in the market.

''Current market levels don't do justice to the economy,'' the Greek minister said and urged investors to react to this speculative trend ''which aims to weaken the economy''.

Mr. Christodoulakis said he has already ordered market authorities to inspect for any cases of speculative trades in the market to protect investors' interests.

Referring to the 2003 draft budget plan, to be submitted to parliament on Monday, Mr. Christodoulakis said the budget has been drafted on the assumption that the global economy would improve significantly next year.

''The Greek economy is prepared to deal any likely impact,'' he said. ''The Greek economy is an oasis of strong growth,'' Mr. Christodoulakis noted.

He acknowledged, however, that if current forecasts on the world economy were not met, then the Greek economy would be negatively affected.

ASE chairman dismisses talk of speculative moves in the market: Athens Stock Exchange's chairman, Panagiotis Alexakis, on Friday rejected talk of speculative practices in the Greek bourse and said that market authorities were guaranteeing an environment of smooth operation and monitoring of the market.

Commenting on recent press reports and comments made by Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis over the existence of a "negative bubble" in market, Mr. Alexakis said that ASE authorities were reporting daily transaction data with the Capital Markets' Commission, the only authority with the power to make inspections.

Speaking to reporters, during a new conference, Mr. Alexakis noted that no irregularities have been reported so far by the Capital Markets' Commission.

He attributed ASE's negative course to negative international political and economic developments and noted that several share prices were currently trading at unjustifiable low levels compared with the condition of the Greek economy and businesses.

Mr. Alexakis said market authorities were promoting measures to stabilize liquidity and to boost sentiment in the market, reacting to increased short selling in the market. He said ASE was examining ways to activate market makers in the market, such as abolishing commissions and a 0.3 percent tax on transactions.

[14] Christodoulakis, Lamy discuss Greek EU presidency

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

The meeting focused on the progress of a new round of talks in the framework of the World Trade Organization. Greece takes over the EU presidency at a very crucial period for the negotiations and will have to prepare the EU's position ahead of a WTO ministerial meeting in Mexico, September 2003.

Mr. Christodoulakis discussed with Mr. Lamy ways to develop the EU's trade cooperation with Southeast European states, an initiative to be promoted during the Greek EU presidency.

[15] Greece ready to fund projects in Yugoslavia

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to ANA, on the sidelines of a second Greek-Serb Forum, Mr. Loverdos said that Greece's foreign ministry has already received 20 applications by private Yugoslav companies, but acknowledged that the fact that the Serbian government has not yet submitted his investment proposals was creating problems in approving payment of funds.

Mr. Loverdos noted, however, that the Serbian side was expected to submit one or two very serious proposals and urged Serbs and Montenegrins to speed up procedures for submitting investment proposals.

The Greek plan envisages offering funds worth 550 million euros to six Balkan states (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia), of which 250 million euros are earmarked for Serbia and Montenegro.

Under the plan, 20 percent of the money will be offered directly through the Greek foreign ministry with the remaining 80 percent to be offered in the form of subsidies to government projects.

Speakers in the Greek-Serb Forum underlined Yugoslavia's steps forward in the last few years, a development supporting investments in the country. The country's growth rate (4.0 percent), falling inflation and the government's favorable tax measures were creating favorable investment conditions, speakers said.

Serbia has already privatized 75 state companies, with another 250 companies expected to be privatized soon.

The forum also said that Greek-Serb relations would be boosted by the creation of a Greek-Yugoslav Union of Commerce and Industry.

[16] Alternate FM meets with British trade minister

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

The British minister referred to London’s interest for further liberating the natural gas and electrical power markets, as well as the materialization of an Action Plan for financial services, the press release added.

The two sides exchanged views on the increase of EU expenditures for research, technological growth and innovation aimed at reaching 3 percent of the Gross National Product by 2010 and they reaffirmed a shared interest on the issue of supporting entrepreneurship, especially small businesses, the release said.

With regard to boosting competitiveness, the two sides exchanged views on labor-market flexibility and more specifically on issues of temporary employment, while Yiannitsis referred to Greek law that has formulated a legislated framework including protective provisions for workers, the ministry’s release said.

The British minister also expressed her government’s interest in a furtherance of trans-border company-mergers, nevertheless recognizing the difficulty of that effort, the release concluded.

Earlier on Friday, the minister had a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, within the framework of preparations for the Greek EU presidency.

[17] Greek stocks rebound strongly on Friday

Athens, 05/10/2002 (ANA)

His comments were followed by ASE chairman, Panagiotis Alexakis, who expressed his worry over the market's decline and stressed that current market prices did not reflect the Greek economy's real condition.

The general index ended 1.17 percent higher at 1,792.45 points, reversing an earlier decline to 1,748.98 points. The Greek bourse largely ignored losses in other European markets. Turnover was a low 60.9 million euros.

The Base Metals and Food-Beverage sectors were the only ones to suffer losses (0.59 percent and 0.07 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Telecommunications and Holding sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.97 percent, 1.51 percent and 1.27 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.25 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.37 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.77 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 189 to 107 with another 60 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net loss of 4.8 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Informatics, Sex Form, Coca Cola HBC, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 121.0 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: