Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU defense ministers conclude two-day meeting in Rethymno

[02] PM attacks ND from Corinth on its position on terrorism

[03] PM calls on progressives to mobilize for local elections

[04] Athens mayoral candidates comment on upcoming election

[05] Gov't, ND on trade charges over local gov't sector

[06] Gov’t on anti-terrorism front

[07] ND leader accuses government of apathy and inertia

[08] ND leader addresses party's youth organization event

[09] Communist leader criticizes mainstream parties

[10] Coalition party leader criticizes PASOK and ND

[11] Communist leader says political and economic targets in Iraq

[12] Patriarch praises visiting Bulgarian PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

[13] PASOK secretary calls for democratic rally on November 17

[14] Alleged N17 terrorist returns to prison from hospital

[15] Greece elected ECOSOC member over 2003-2004 period

[16] New Greek-Albanian border crossing under construction

[17] Finance minister to participate in ECOFIN meeting

[18] Culture minister outlines Olympic projects to Cypriot officials

[19] Foreign ministry organizes conference on European citizens

[20] Search continues for notorious fugitive

[21] Hashish cultivation spotted by copter crew on university land

[22] No concessions made on fundamental issues, President Clerides says

[23] Foreign Minister: committees will keep talks alive

[24] UN Secretary General's statement - Full text

[01] EU defense ministers conclude two-day meeting in Rethymno

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who presided over the session, said that work groups will submit a relevant report on existing shortages in weaponry systems by March 1, 2003, to ensure the European rapid reaction force's operational readiness in 2003, in accordance with the decision initially taken at the Helsinki summit.

He added that a group will also be set up to propose ways of financing the European army, while final decisions will be taken by the General Affairs Council on November 17-18.

EU Common Foreign and Defense Policy Commissioner Javier Solana said the fact that final results on the activation of the European rapid reaction force will be had in 2003 is a great success for the Greek presidency.

Both Papantoniou and Solana reiterated that in no way will the EU compete with NATO and that they will function in a supplementary fashion.

On the question of developments in Iraq, the EU's defense ministers reiterated their dedication to UN Security Council resolutions and stated that the disarming of the country's arsenal remains the objective.

The British and French defense ministers briefed their counterparts on discussions held at the UN on the issue. At the same time, the 15 expressed hope that the process of the UN issuing a resolution on sending inspectors will have a positive conclusion as soon as possible.

Solana reiterated that the EU is not in favor of a change in the regime in Iraq.

He also announced that he will visit Ramalla, Jerusalem and Cairo in a new mediating effort by the EU to defuse the Middle East crisis.

Papantoniou clarified that the force to replace the NATO force in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as of 2003, provided a relevant request is made by the neighboring country, will be a mixed one and the EU will be playing the leading role.

A conference will also be held on the island of Rhodes on November 1-2 to facilitate better coordination and cooperation between Mediterranean European countries in handling crises which might break out in the region.

The conference will aim at activating the participation of Mediterranean countries in processes concerning common European defense and security policy.

Papantoniou also reiterated that Greece supports Turkey's European prospects and called on it to adopt criteria set at the Helsinki summit.

Commenting on relations between Russia and the EU, Papantoniou said good cooperation between the two sides should also be developed in the defense sector.

Disturbances broke out on a limited scale during an anti-war rally held in the city due to possible intervention in Iraq.

The disturbances began when the demonstrators attempted to break through a police cordon and approach the building where the EU defense ministers were meeting close by.

[02] PM attacks ND from Corinth on its position on terrorism

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Simitis, who was speaking in Corinth where he attended the Premier Conference of the European Regional and National Youth Councils Network, was referring to ''those wanting to cover up, disfigure and distort'' the decisive blows dealt by the government against terrorists.

He added that for 28 years there had been no success in combating and dismantling terrorism, which was something which happened ''during the days of this government.''

Instead of this creating national unanimity and making all feel the need to support this difficult effort, there are many ''who want to cover up what has been done. They want to disfigure them, they want to distort them,'' Simitis said.

''They want to create new myths in the place of those myths which have collapsed. That the terrorists were members of PASOK (the ruling socialist party), that the terrorists were related to governments and for this reason they were not being exposed,'' he said, adding that ''if this was so why didn't they expose them when they were in government?''

The prime minister further said "all this is lies and distortion. All this is aimed at one thing. To place the firm functioning of democracy in doubt. However, democracy is defeating terrorism and for this reason we shall continue this course without any deviation."

Simitis said our response to all this "is absolute contempt, because those who do not want to admit the obvious, who did nothing, who did not act and do not want us to combat with national unanimity a phenomenon which was affecting all of Europe only deserve contempt. It is a phenomenon which we are beginning to control or effectively control in Greece now."

[03] PM calls on progressives to mobilize for local elections

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Simitis, who was speaking in Corinth where he attended the Premier Conference of the European Regional and National Youth Councils Network, also said the main opposition New Democracy party has abandoned its previous position that the elections concern local administration.

The prime minister further said ND is resorting now to ''discord and talk of disaster in trying to disorientate and telling citizens now that the elections ''are national in a way and voters should send a message to the government.''

Simitis stressed that this change is due to the fact that, in the meantime, public opinion has sent a message to the main opposition party.

He added that the Greek people ''sent the message that, first of all, its choices in persons are facing strong resistance. That this struggle concerns programs and positions and that those who do not have any are not acceptable.''

''Therefore, a progressive majority is necessary which wants to and can elect able persons for local leadership who have creative work, a modern vision and a progressive program,'' Simitis said.

[04] Athens mayoral candidates comment on upcoming election

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Papoutsis, who was referring to his rival in the election

Dora Bakoyianni, added that if elected Athens mayor he will devote himself to the Athenians and their problems as of January 1.

Also commenting on Bakoyianni's election ticket, Papoutsis said "it is composed of people from the 'hard' mechanism of New Democracy (the main opposition conservative party) in the municipality of Athens over the past 16 years."

In an interview of her own in the newspaper "Axia", Bakoyianni said the election for the Athens mayorship will be difficult and will be a two-round struggle (on October 13 and 20).

Commenting on whether a vote in her favor will be a message for the government or ND, Bakoyianni said citizens will vote for whoever is best for the mayorship.

[05] Gov't, ND on trade charges over local gov't sector

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Spokesman Christos Protopapas was responding to comments on Saturday by main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis from the eastern Aegean island of Samos, as the latter sharply criticized the government for what he called a “vicious cycle of apathy and inactivity” vis-a-vis the local government sector.

In turning to national issues, Karamanlis told local residents of island, which just off the Asia Minor coast, that his party remains a firm backer of “Hellenism’s standing positions.”

“…We consider national unity as our guide, and we condemn provocations, efforts to divide us and slanderous attacks by the well-known and failed propagandists,” he said.

[06] Gov’t on anti-terrorism front

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

The interview was published in a provincial newspaper over the weekend.

Alexandros Giotopoulos, jailed since July on numerous terrorism-related felony charges, has denied involvement with the lethal terror band or of even knowing any of the other 16 accused “N17” suspects being held pending trial.

Protopapas also referred to a high-profile proposal by ruling PASOK for a common rally by all political parties during the commemoration of a 1973 students’ uprising against a military junta then ruling Greece, held annually in Athens on Nov. 17.

Giotopoulos’ interview was published by the “Lamiakos Typos” newspaper, which is based in the central Greek city of Lamia.

In commenting on the issue of terrorism, former prime minister and honorary ND leader Constantine Mitsotakis said any initiative that works against terrorism “finds us in agreement”.

Speaking from northeastern Greece where he is touring, Mitsotakis stressed that ruling PASOK must follow through on its promises to act decisively in the next stages of the “N17” investigation.

“Words are not enough, actions are need,” he said.

[07] ND leader accuses government of apathy and inertia

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis went on to say that the countryside can no longer stand empty promises, adding that the development of Aegean islands is a national order.

Referring to the island's problems, Karamanlis spoke of the upgrading of sea communications and placed priority on tourism and the prolongation of the tourist season.

Karamanlis also said that all of Europe is realizing the problems of illegal immigration and it is time for a joint European policy in this sector as well.

He added that ND has already requested the creation of a European coast guard and that "we found a positive response in Europe. We did not see corresponding haste on the part of the government."

[08] ND leader addresses party's youth organization event

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

''I am calling on you to take a stand on a free self administration in the supraprefecture, with free and creative people for the municipality of Athens, of Piraeus, the municipalities of all of Attica and for all of the country's prefectures, municipalities and communities. A stand of claiming and effective self administration,'' he said.

Karamanlis added that ND respected every citizen and moved with dignity in public dialogue, calling on all citizens to "ignore slogans of fanaticism, practices of discord and the mentalities of envy".

The event was attended by Athens mayoral candidate Dora Bakoyianni, Athens-Piraeus supraprefecture candidate Yiannis Tzannetakos and many party members.

[09] Communist leader criticizes mainstream parties

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

She also criticized ND in particular for supporting the government's choices.

Papariga, who arrived in Patra to address a gathering of women members of the party in the evening, called on the people to condemn with their vote those having great responsibilities for the problems facing all citizens, working people and farmers.

Referring to the local administration institution, Papariga said it is in a "deplorable state". She added that great business interests are at stake in the upcoming elections and for this reason the discontent of the people should be expressed in practice through the ballot box.

[10] Coalition party leader criticizes PASOK and ND

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

''The slogans of PASOK and ND, in order to send messages through the local government ballot box, prove the partisanship of elections for local administration and the ulterior motives of Simitis and Karamanlis who want, with the elections for local government, to transfer or resolve their intraparty problems in light of general elections,'' he said.

''This bipartisan polarization aims at convincing that from general elections to border councils everything should be shared between PASOK and ND,'' he added.

Referring to the November 17 organization and the upcoming anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising against the military junta on November 17, 1973, Constantopoulos said the adherence of the Greek people to democracy, the condemnation of terrorism and the condemnation of the climate of terrorism talk should be made clear.

Constantopoulos also added that the opposition of youth and the Greek people to the war being planned against Iraq by the United States should be expressed.

[11] Communist leader says political and economic targets in Iraq

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Papariga focused on prefectural and municipal elections due to take place in the country this month, calling on the electorate to send a message of disapproval to both mainstream parties (PASOK and New Democracy).

Papariga, criticizing the policies of both parties, added that the confrontation between them is "ridiculous and dangerous" since it "lacks substance and significance."

[12] Patriarch praises visiting Bulgarian PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

ISTANBUL 07/10/2002 (ANA – A. Kourkoulas)

In greeting the Bulgarian premier, Vartholomeos stressed that Bulgaria, which was sorely tested in recent years, is being rejuvenated “under the uncommon conditions,” a reference to the former king Simeon II being elected as the head of government in his country via a popular election.

The Patriarch also praised the Bulgarian prime minister by comparing him with the New Testament’s Simon, as related in the Gospel according to Luke.

On his part, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha thanked Vartholomeos for his praise, and noted that the Patriarch’s courage and leadership personally inspires him.

The Bulgarian prime minister is officially visiting Turkey.

[13] PASOK secretary calls for democratic rally on November 17

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

He said democratic feeling and popular demand against terrorism should find their authentic and genuine expression in this year's celebration and march at the Athens Polytechnic on November 17.

Laliotis said one should "annul symbolically and substantively every association between the popular uprising at the Polytechnic and an organization which murdered people and ideas in the name of a non-existent and irrational revolution by certain paranoid people who wished to register their insignificance with blood".

[14] Alleged N17 terrorist returns to prison from hospital

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Xiros had his right hand operated on at the Evangelismos Hospital, which had been injured by a bomb blast during a botched attack in Piraeus on June 29.

Prior to his departure from hospital, the patient was subjected to necessary medical tests and after doctors ascertained the good state of his health he was discharged.

Xiros was taken once again to his prison cell under tight security measures.

[15] Greece elected ECOSOC member over 2003-2004 period

NEW YORK 07/10/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

In elections held on October 3 to elect 18 new members, Greece achieved the third best result out of all groups of candidate countries, receiving 177 votes out of a total of 181.

In the classification of candidate countries of the West European Group, Germany received 179 votes, Greece 177, France 173, Ireland 164 and Portugal 163.

As of January 1, 2003, 54 UN member-states will be included in ECOSOC's composition.

[16] New Greek-Albanian border crossing under construction

GJIROKASTER 07/10/2002 (ANA - P. Barkas)

Meta and Iliopoulos inspected construction rates both of the road axis and of customs infrastructure. The new motorway linking the border crossing with the existing national motorway on Albanian territory, eight kilometers long and the Mertziani bridge on the Aoos River are ready, while work to complete the remaining building infrastructure for the crossing, on both sides of the border, is nearing completion.

Both called for a speedup of work to enable the crossing, the third linking the two countries, to be ready for the Christmas holidays to facilitate the travel of Albanian citizens living and working in Greece.

[17] Finance minister to participate in ECOFIN meeting

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis will be participating in the ECOFIN meeting.

According to an announcement by the economy and finance ministry the main issues to be discussed at the ECOFIN meeting include fiscal control, the future course of European strategy on employment, macroeconomic aid to third countries and air transport insurance.

A joint statement by ECOFIN ministers on Russia's economy will also be discussed. It notes progress achieved in the Russian economy, as well as economic policy to be followed for its further improvement.

A luncheon will also be organized for European Foreign Trade Association (EFTA) and European Union ministers. Issues expected to dominate discussions during the luncheon are harmonizing the market of fiscal services and energy products.

The Danish presidency considers these issues to be of top priority in the EU.

[18] Culture minister outlines Olympic projects to Cypriot officials

NICOSIA 07/10/2002 (ANA – G. Leonidas/CNA)

Venizelos thanked Cyprus for the warm welcome he received and the very good bilateral cooperation to promote the Cultural Olympiad, and culture in general. He said Greece aims to establish the ancient site of Olympia as the permanent base of the Cultural Olympiad.

Venizelos also announced a series of cultural events to take place in Cyprus until mid October within the context of the Cultural Olympics.

Speaking at Sunday’s presentation, Cypriot Education and Culture Minister Ouranios Ioannides and Defense Minister Socrates Hasikos praised Venizelos' efforts to promote culture in general and to strengthen ties with Cyprus.

In his remarks, Athens 2004 organizing committee official Costas Kartalis presented various infrastructure projects currently under construction in the greater Athens area for the Games, while he said the economic benefits for Greece will be ''huge'' with an anticipated increase of 1.3 percent of the GDP.

Earlier, Venizelos said expatriate Greeks and Greek Cypriots are a source from which some 60,000 volunteers can be recruited for the Athens Games.

He said Cypriots appear more willing to respond to calls for volunteer work, a trend he described as ''very important.''

During his stay on the island republic, the Greek minister will be received by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and also hold meetings with House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias as well as other political party leaders.

He will have talks with the education and culture minister about preparations for the Olympic Games with regards to cultural and sports events.

[19] Foreign ministry organizes conference on European citizens

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis said a wide spectrum of issues was discussed such as social, economic, tax, educational and cultural concerning overseas Europeans.

Just as Greeks living abroad do, other Europeans living abroad are facing problems regarding the preservation of their cultural heritage, language, music and national identity.

[20] Search continues for notorious fugitive

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

Police spotted convicted felon Costas Palaikostas in the area on Saturday, who fled on foot under the cover of darkness into Fthiotida prefecture’s mountains after abandoning a stolen car he was driving. Police and the suspect exchanged gunfire the brief chase, according to reports.

[21] Hashish cultivation spotted by copter crew on university land

Athens, 07/10/2002 (ANA)

More than 600 hashish plants, some as high as two meters, were later uprooted when university officials granted authorities permission to act on the institution’s premises. The plants were spotted by a helicopter crew on duty over Rethymno as part of patrols for an ongoing informal meeting of European Union defense ministers’ summit on the large and popular holiday island of Crete.

The cannabis plants were located in on forestland that was fenced off and near the campus.

[22] No concessions made on fundamental issues, President Clerides says

NICOSIA 07/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

He indicated that should things at the talks reach such point of development, next year's presidential elections might have to be postponed.

Speaking on his return Saturday from New York where he had two days of intensive negotiations with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, he said there is not going to be a permanent division of Cyprus which will be recognized, as Denktash has threatened if Cyprus joins the European Union without a political settlement.

''In our discussions, I did not detect any bridging of the gap in the fundamental positions of the two sides on the core issues (governance, security, territory and property),'' the president said.

He said the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had proposed to set up two ad hoc bilateral technical committees ''so as we do not waste any time'' due to the incapacity, for the time being, of the Turkish Cypriot leader to be at the talks for health reasons (the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will undergo heart surgery on Monday in a New York hospital).

One committee, the president explained, will prepare bills about the functioning of the central government and the federal states to enable them to work.

The second committee will look into the treaties the Republic of Cyprus has signed so far and treaties that were signed and see which can continue to exist.

''These committees will put forward suggestions, the decisions will be taken at the negotiating table,'' he said.

The president clarified that each side will present the treaties it has signed and the committees will examine which ones are in line with the new constitution that will be agreed upon, if there is a political settlement.

''This is an attempt for the two sides to say, we (the Republic of Cyprus) as a state have signed such and such treaty and we (apparently the Turkish Cypriot side) have signed these treaties, if any,'' he explained.

On the objective of the decision to set up the committees, Clerides said this is ''an attempt by the Secretary General to maintain the peace process alive and make the best use of the time ahead (because of the absence of Denktash for health reasons) to deal with matters that will be applied, if there is a settlement.''

Replying to questions, the president stressed that the secretary general did not refer to ''a new state'' but to a ''new state of affairs'', meaning a new legal situation, and pointed out that if there is a solution and a new constitution, different to the 1960 constitution, then there will be a new state of affairs.

On the use of the term ''common state'', the president said there will be a common state if there is a solution and explained that terms of this kind, applied at the talks, are not binding but a way to describe something.

Asked if there is an effort to satisfy the demands of the Turkish side, the president stressed that the secretary general is not trying to please either one or the other side, but he is trying to see how their views will be bridged.

Replying to questions on the differences in the positions of the two sides, the president said these relate to the most fundamental issues, that of sovereignty and that of whether there will be a new state of Cyprus or a continuation in some form of the Republic of Cyprus.

''There is a big chasm in our positions on these particular issues, and this has prevented any discussion on territory, the powers of the executive and the constituent states,'' he explained.

Denktash insists on the creation of two separate sovereign states which will enter into an agreed arrangement and on the abolition of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.

Clerides is working for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which will be a transformation of the Republic and not a new state, but acknowledges that it will have a new constitution, to be agreed upon at the negotiating table.

Invited to comment on the delay in the negotiating process, which could coincide with important decisions on Cyprus' accession to the European Union, the president said Annan had asked them to keep November free of any engagements to have new meetings.

''The Secretary General has said he has not decided yet if he will submit any plan for a solution or ideas on Cyprus,'' Clerides said.

Commenting on Denktash's warning that accession of Cyprus to the EU prior to a solution would mean permanent division, the president said ''there is not going to be a permanent division that is recognized.''

Asked if he has decided to rerun for the presidency, he said ''nobody has asked me about that and many may have thought about it but I have not.''

''If there is no solution by the time of the elections, (February next year), it will be up to the new president to take the reins and continue the work for a solution,'' he said.

However, he said if things are too close to a settlement, the presidential elections might have to be postponed.

[23] Foreign Minister: committees will keep talks alive

NEW YORK 07/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

In an interview with CNA, the minister did not rule out the possibility of seeing Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash agreeing to a continuation of the talks after December, when the European Union is expected to invite Cyprus to join.

Kasoulides dismissed criticism that the use of the term ''common state'' could lead to problems for the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table.

''It is obvious that the decision to set up the two ad hoc technical committees is to keep the flame of the negotiations going and to do a secondary job, which must be done if there is progress towards a negotiated settlement,'' the minister told CNA.

Replying to questions, he said that in spite of Denktash's protests about continuing the talks after December, he believed that at the end of the day he will return to the negotiating table, as he had done in the past.

Denktash has threatened with termination of the peace talks and permanent division of Cyprus, if it joins the EU prior to a political settlement.

Kasoulides, who accompanied President Glafcos Clerides in New York for two days of intensive negotiations with UN Secretary General and Denktash, said the term common state should not cause any alarm bells to ring.

The UN in their statements refer to a ''common state'' in Cyprus which will emerge from the negotiations.

The decision to set up the two committees was taken at the New York talks and was announced by Kofi Annan in a statement.

The Secretary General said he would see President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash in November.

[24] UN Secretary General's statement - Full text

UNITED NATIONS 07/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The full text of the statement reads as follows: ''I have completed this afternoon two days of intensive consultations on Cyprus with His Excellency Mr. Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader. "I am happy to report that, since I met the two leaders in Paris, they have focused on the issues I highlighted and there has been an encouraging effort to explore ways of bridging differences pragmatically.

"Here in New York I tried to crystallize for the two leaders a way they could push their discussions forward to further narrow their differences with the active assistance of my Special Adviser Mr. Alvaro de Soto.

"As part of their effort to bridge differences pragmatically, the two leaders have decided to create two ad hoc bilateral technical committees to begin work immediately on important technical issues.

"The purpose of these committees is to make recommendations on technical matters without prejudice to the positions of the two leaders on the core issues concerned.

"Their work shall be ad referendum and shall focus on treaties and future ''common state''* laws. The UN will assist the parties in this work.

"There is no simple solution to the Cyprus problem. For this reason, a comprehensive settlement has to be a complex, integrated, legally binding and self-executing agreement, where the rights and obligations of all concerned are clear, unambiguous and not subject to further negotiation. I hope the work of the committees will help the leaders towards this end. "The opportunity that is at hand must be seized. In this regard, Greece and Turkey have an important role to play and I look forward to their continued support.

"As is well known, Mr. Denktash will undergo surgery soon and he is not likely to be available for a few weeks, but work will continue in October and I have asked the leaders to clear their diaries during November, when I am looking forward to seeing them again". ''common state'' is a provisional term

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