Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Danish presidency summit draft conclusions close to EU Commission's

[02] PM, FM and EU defense official discuss European army

[03] ND leader says EU in final stretch to enlargement

[04] R&D cooperation initiatives planned during Greek EU presidency

[05] Change of climate in favor of Greece, public order minister ascertains in

[06] Deputy FM visits Albanian regions populated by ethnic Greeks

[07] Gov't comments on minor Imia incident last week

[08] General staff chief says Prague summit landmark for

[09] Interior minister on local gov't developments

[10] Main opposition holds reception for ND-backed Attica mayors

[11] More charges slapped on 'N17' suspect Koufodinas

[12] Former Irish president speaks in Athens about human rights

[13] Commission's Regional Policy Director General, Guy Crauser, in Athens talks

[14] Eurostat scrutinizes Greek budget for 2003

[15] Tourism sector stable at 2001 levels, Tsohatzopoulos says

[16] Romania okays share cap rise for Romtelecom, sources say

[17] OA flight attendants to strike over termination of flights to Australia

[18] Greek EU Commissioner to visit Bulgaria on Tuesday

[19] Greece seeks long-term export strategy

[20] Greek stocks rebound on Thursday

[21] ANA, Sportline unveil multi-faceted service focusing on Olympics coverage

[22] Greenpeace bureau: 2004 Games 'a lost opportunity' for local environment

[23] ATHOC president holds press conference in London

[24] US ambassador Miller named recipient of 2003 Frizis Award

[25] Black Sea Greeks conference clouded by controversy

[26] EU targets for technology in schools exceeded, minister says

[27] President issues pardon to mark October 28 national holiday

[28] Prodi hopeful for accession talks to be concluded

[29] UN plan for Cyprus settlement in place, says Solana

[30] British envoy arrives in Cyprus

[31] Cyprus president's message to Annan on 57th UN anniversary

[01] Danish presidency summit draft conclusions close to EU Commission's

BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The draft proposes an ''opening'' to Turkey, concerning its request for the setting of a date for the initiation of negotiations for accession during the Copenhagen Summit in December.

Meanwhile, the draft calls for a ''new opportunity'' and a ''road map'' to accession for Bulgaria and Romania, which failed to satisfy the criteria for accession along with the other 10 candidate member-states, which made the cut.

As for the 10 candidate members, that include Cyprus, the draft notes that they fulfill criteria for accession and can respond to the obligations of full membership beginning in 2004.

The same draft stressed that the EU reaffirms its decisiveness to conclude negotiations with those 10 candidate members in Copenhagen during the Summit, proposing that they sign the accession treaty in Athens in April 2003.

The draft also expresses its preference for the accession of a united Cyprus, with a total resolution of its political problem and calls on the leaders of the two communities to take advantage of the opportunity before them and to arrive at an agreement by the end of the year.

It is stressed, however, that in the event that there is no resolution of the Cyprus problem by December, the Helsinki decision stands, thus the resolution of the problem is not a precondition for accession.

[02] PM, FM and EU defense official discuss European army

BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the informal summit taking place in the Belgian capital was of a ''preparatory character'' in light of Friday's discussion on relations between the EU and NATO at the European Council.

The issue concerns the disengagement of the European Rapid Reaction Force from the decisive opinion sought on European defense by NATO member-states, such as Turkey, which are not EU member-states.

[03] ND leader says EU in final stretch to enlargement

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the decision on enlargement should be finalized in Brussels now and at the Copenhagen summit at the latest, with the accession of all of Cyprus to the EU ''regardless of a solution to the political problem, a solution which we are continuing to pursue, of course, based on UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.''

He reminded that at the European Peoples Party's recent conference in Lisbon a consensus was ascertained on the unimpeded accession of Cyprus ''without the imposition of additional conditions and last-minute extortion.''

[04] R&D cooperation initiatives planned during Greek EU presidency

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Specifically, the development ministry's Research and Technology General Secretariat is currently processing an EU-West Balkans action plan and special activities among EU candidate states Bulgaria and Romania.

The west Balkans is comprised of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

According to the ministry sources, the projects are now in the planning stage, while the final proposal will be prepared at a meeting of high-ranking officials in January and officially adopted at a ministerial meeting in June during the Greek EU presidency.

Greece is also in charge of organizing the 9th meeting of a committee for cooperation in research and technological development taking place within the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation, in which EU member-states and 12 non-EU Mediterranean countries participate. Apart from the member-states, the meeting will also include representatives of the European Commission's Research and External Affairs directorates.

In both initiatives, the Greek side will try to steer meetings toward those sectors in which Greece has the most interest, such as energy and the environment, biotechnology and electronic networks and possibly cultural heritage.

[05] Change of climate in favor of Greece, public order minister ascertains in

US WASHINGTON 25/10/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Speaking to the press after talks with the number two man at the Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, and the director of the Office of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Advisor Tom Ridge, Chrysohoidis said that Greek-US relations were currently at their best point in recent years, since all the outstanding bilateral matters had been resolved.

On his talks in Washington, Chrysohoidis said that particular emphasis was placed on security at the 2004 Olympic Games to be staged in Athens, adding that the US was strongly interested in the success of those Games.

He said the two sides had also agreed to continue the training of Greek officers in the US and for further advancement of their cooperation in the security sector at both bilateral and multilateral level.

Chrysohoidis underlined the protagonistic role Greece could play in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean, putting emphasis on tackling illegal migration, which he noted would be a "high priority" during Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003, noting that Washington had welcomed this information, given that it linked illegal immigration and organized crime with the financing of terrorism.

Asked whether the US had displayed interest in the upcoming trials of suspected members of the notorious 'November 17' terrorist organization, Chrysohoidis said that the US was indeed interested in developments concerning the trials, due to the interest of the families of the group's American victims, who had designated their own lawyers.

"Justice is doing its job in Greece," the minister said, adding that the warm climate with which the Greek delegation was greeted in Washington was "impressive" and "radically different from that some 2-3 years ago".

He added that the US officials had congratulated Greece on its ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism, but "we did not stand at all on this issue...we proceeded to a series of matters of common interest".

Chrysohoidis said that the US displayed strong interest in the success of the Athens Olympic Games overall, and not only with respect to security, since they considered the Games "a very big event".

On the Games security issue, he said that the discussions focused on determining ways in which the cooperation between the two countries could be made more systematic.

A second matter discussed, he said, was the Greek EU presidency's priorities in the security sector. "A top priority for us is to advance the EU plans and decisions on combatting illegal migration," he explained.

Questioned on the climate in Greek-American relations, Chrysohoidis said that "there are no clouds in our relations with the US...the horizon is clear", adding that this was due to the efforts made by both governments in recent years to resolve all outstanding matters.

[06] Deputy FM visits Albanian regions populated by ethnic Greeks

GJIROKASTER 25/10/2002 (ANA - P. Barkas)

During his visit to the village of Vouliarati, in the prefecture of Gjirokaster, Magriotis attended a memorial service at the cemetery for Greek soldiers killed during the war between Greece and Italy in 1940.

Magriotis also met with ethnic Greek minority officials in the village of Aliko and was briefed on its problems. He said Greece would intensify its efforts to support the members of the ethnic Greek minority in the region and the improvement of their living standards.

Magriotis arrived in Tirana in the afternoon, where he will be attending the session of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact foreign ministers on Friday.

During his stay in the Albanian capital, Magriotis will be meeting Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Foreign Minister Ilir Meta and Albanian Parliament President Servet Pelubi.

[07] Gov't comments on minor Imia incident last week

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Responding to questions citing a same-day banner story in an Athens tabloid newspaper about the incident last Friday, acting spokesman and Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris said Greek authorities motioned the vessel’s skipper to keep clear of the rocky outcrop, before the inflatable craft returned to Turkish waters without incident.

Speaking at his regular press briefing, the spokesman added that such incidents occur from time to time in the eastern Aegean.

Finally, asked if an annual Greece-Cyprus joint military exercise has been cancelled or postponed, Hytiris said no final decision has been made that warrants an announcement.

The small islet of Imia was thrust onto the international limelight in late January 1996 when the Tansu Ciller government in Ankara unexpectedly contested the outcrop and even the surrounding sea region’s status as Greek territory, causing the most serious Greek-Turkish crisis since 1976.

[08] General staff chief says Prague summit landmark for

NATO SOFIA 25/10/2002 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Antonakopoulos was speaking at a joint press conference at the end of the first meeting between national defense general staff chiefs from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

''The decision on enlargement will be a political one. However, the countries wanting and being in a position to contribute to security and stability in the Euroatlantic region should have our support at a military level as well. In this framework, Greece is making efforts for NATO and the European Union's enlargement to southeastern Europe, and the Balkans in particular, for the consolidation of peace, stability and security in our region which form a precondition for the economic development and prosperity of our peoples,'' he said.

Antonakopoulos also reminded that since 1997 the Greek government has officially and repeatedly expressed support for a balanced enlargement towards southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Romania as countries having completed the necessary stages of preparation and adjustment.

Armed forces chiefs' meeting in Sofia expresses concern for Moscow hostages: A meeting of armed Forces chiefs from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey expressed concern over the fate of hostages being held in Moscow in a joint announcement issued here on Thursday.

The announcement also reaffirmed the four Balkan countries' desire to further develop cooperation between their armed forces in order to "consolidate security and stability in Southeastern Europe and deal with the new challenges and threats to security and defense, including terrorism."

Finally, the gathered military chiefs expressed support for Bulgaria's and Romania's NATO entry at the Alliance summit in Prague.

Greece was represented at the meeting by Armed Forces General Staff chief Gen. George Antonakopoulos

[09] Interior minister on local gov't developments

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

He said the committee’s deliberations will revolve around the issues of upgraded local administration for metropolitan regions, completion of the second phase of local government restructuring and finding more resources for municipalities and prefectures.

[10] Main opposition holds reception for ND-backed Attica mayors

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis did not make a speech or statements at the gathering, during which he shook hands and had his photograph taken with each newly elected mayor.

Among those present were several "wild cat" candidates who were not officially backed by the party but originated from within its ranks.

The main opposition leader will hold a similar meeting with ND-supported mayors elected in the Thessaloniki area on Saturday.

[11] More charges slapped on 'N17' suspect Koufodinas

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

According to reports, Dimitris Koufodinas again assumed “political responsibility” for the notorious urban terror band’s actions, similar to his first and lengthy deposition to a specially appointed appellate-level investigating magistrate.

However, he reportedly refused to offer more details, protesting what he claimed were restrictions placed by prison authorities on his meetings with his attorney.

Koufodinas, 43, a self-styled beekeeper who often introduced himself to acquaintances as a math tutor, surrendered to police in early September. He remained the only “N17” fugitive throughout the summer, as some 15 other terror suspects were arrested and jailed. His long-time companion, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was the 17th “N17” suspect arrested.

All 17 suspects remain jailed at Korydallos prison pending trial.

The man accused as one of “November 17’s” top recruiters and assassins, and the last male suspect arrested in the ongoing terrorism investigation, provided additional testimony on Thursday after prosecutors this week added another 13 attempted homicide charges to his lengthy indictment.

According to reports, Dimitris Koufodinas again assumed “political responsibility” for the notorious urban terror band’s actions, similar to his first and lengthy deposition to a specially appointed appellate-level investigating magistrate.

However, he reportedly refused to offer more details, protesting what he claimed were restrictions placed by prison authorities on his meetings with his attorney.

Koufodinas, 43, a self-styled beekeeper who often introduced himself to acquaintances as a math tutor, surrendered to police in early September. He remained the only “N17” fugitive throughout the summer, as some 15 other terror suspects were arrested and jailed. His long-time companion, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was the 17th “N17” suspect arrested.

All 17 suspects remain jailed at Korydallos prison pending trial.

Defense counsel for 'N17' terrorist suspect resigns: The lawyer defending suspected ''November 17'' terrorist Dimitris Georgiadis, Alexandros Karamanolis, announced that he would be dropping the case on Thursday and hinted that he disagreed with his client's decision to follow the strategy adopted by the Xiros brothers, both of whom are charged with more numerous and more serious offences.

In his latest testimony before Special Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos, the appeals court justice assigned to the case, Georgiadis followed the Xiros brothers' lead in retracting several of his earlier statements and denied all the charges against him.

[12] Former Irish president speaks in Athens about human rights

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

The former president, who also served in the past as United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, undertook at present a program on ethical globalization, utilizing the experience she gained overtime in her previous positions.

"There is no human dignity in conditions of absolute poverty," Robinson stressed, adding that absolute poverty was the gravest problem in the effort to protect human rights.

According to Robinson developing countries are not receiving the necessary attention and aid and is the place where, more than anywhere else, human rights are violated.

The greatest problem in the defense of human rights in Europe, she said, is immigration, stressing "you here in Greece have one tenth of your population that was not born in Greece".

"The presence of different ethnic groups, here as in other places, is a wealth that adds new dynamic and liveliness," she said, brining up the example of Canada.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and representatives of Greek human rights organizations were present at the event.

[13] Commission's Regional Policy Director General, Guy Crauser, in Athens talks

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Crauser's agenda concerns the execution of the current Community Support Framework (CSF) as well as the next CSF.

More specifically, according to reliable sources, the items for discussion with Greek officials, include the course of the Third CSF, which is nearing its mid-way review date (2003), as well as the views of the national authorities and the Commission on the new CSF to be drafted. More specifically, the issue of the Structural Funds following the completion of the current CSF will be one of the focus issues in Crauser's Athens talks with the authorities responsible for materialization of the CSF.

Crauser was due Thursday to attend a meeting at the Economy and Finance minister with minister Nikos Christodoulakis, deputy minister Christos Pachtas, who holds the CSF portfolio, and the ministry secretary general. He will later be briefed on specific issues by ministry officials.

Crauser will further speak on "The Structural Funds after 2006" at an event in central Athens organized by the finance ministry and the Commission.

On Friday, the head of the Commission's Regional Policy Directorate-General will visit Thrace to be briefed on the execution of the Operational Program for the region and application of the Interreg program. His agenda includes a meeting with officials of Greece and the bordering countries to discuss inter-border cooperation, and a visit to the Alexandroupolis Hospital.

[14] Eurostat scrutinizes Greek budget for 2003

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Under scrutiny were state funding categories to see whether any should be included under budgetary spending in order to determine whether a general government deficit or surplus would emerge.

Included in the review was the state's participation in share capital increases of state-owned utility companies, which have not traditionally been recorded in the general government calculation.

Other EU members have also been subjected to similar reviews.

Another Eurostat examination recently led to an upward revision of the Greek public debt as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Alogoskoufis: Eurostat affair vindicates main opposition claims about budget: The main opposition's arguments that the budget surplus presented by the government had been achieved by 'tweaking' the figures was confirmed by the latest developments, New Democracy's economic affairs coordinator George Alogoskoufis claimed on Thursday.

He was commenting on press reports that Eurostat had called for adjustments to certain economic indices in the Greek budget.

''This vindicates our position that public debt cannot be reduced by 'conjuring tricks' such as selling advance rights to shares in privatizations,'' ND's finance chief said.

According to Alogoskoufis, public debt figures for 2001 had been revised upward to 105.1 per cent of GDP from 99.6 per cent after Eurostat intervened.

He also noted that the borrowing requirements of central government had reached 4 per cent of GDP in 2001 and were continuing to rise, with borrowing needs for 2002 estimated at

3.6 per cent of GDP, while he did not rule out further Eurostat surprises where these figures were concerned as well.

He urged the government to ''abandon 'creative accounting' and revenue-raising raids on small-scale business and the stock exchange," and to "get serious and restrict wasteful spending in the public sector".

[15] Tourism sector stable at 2001 levels, Tsohatzopoulos says

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that this was the view shared both by the Bank of Greece and tourism agencies.

The Greek minister said that official figures for this year's tourism sector would be available early next year.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that a total of around 1,300 tourist enterprises were expected to receive funds worth 250 million euros from a Third Community Support Framework and that a total of 20 major tourism investments were currently implemented in the country.

The Greek minister said that Greece was expected to take a number of initiatives to promote a pan-European tourism policy, focusing on new forms of tourism and achieving lower air transport fares in Europe.

Tsohatzopoulos also said that a procedure to set up a tourism marketing company, that would take over Greek tourism marketing in international markets, was entering its final stage.

[16] Romania okays share cap rise for Romtelecom, sources say

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

The increase was sought by Athens-quoted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), which wants to raise its stake in the Romanian telecom, the sources said.

At the same time, the sources were unable to say whether the endorsement would allow OTE to acquire the 51 percent stake it is seeking.

[17] OA flight attendants to strike over termination of flights to Australia

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

The strike schedule will be announced next week, with the route due to be abolished on November 1, the Union of Olympic Airways Flight Attendants said in a statement.

''This is an unacceptable policy and management choice that acts against the interests of one million ethnic Greeks (in Australia), and against the interests of the airline itself, especially ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympics,'' the statement said.

The union rejected claims by management that terminating the route was due to a 10 billion drachma shortfall it generated annually, saying the deficit was due to an unprofitable lease on four Airbus 340s used for the flights; and to a cut in weekly flights that had lowered revenue while expenses remained the same.

On Wednesday, pilots of Olympic Airways indicated that they too may strike over the end to flights to Australia.

''We will continue to react against the move, with facts documenting our action,'' the Union of Civil Aviation Pilots said in a statement.

Management, which had announced its decision earlier in the day, planned gradually to reduce the ailing airline's long-haul flight network, also reducing OA's value, the statement said.

Pilots also opposed management's decision to withdraw 11 Boeing 737-200s from service, shrinking Olympic's fleet.

[18] Greek EU Commissioner to visit Bulgaria on Tuesday

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

During her visit in Bulgaria, Diamantopoulou will also meet with the country's President Georgi Purvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Parliament President Oguyan Guerdjikov, while she is scheduled to meet with Bulgarian non-governmental organizations.

[19] Greece seeks long-term export strategy

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

The meeting, attended by representatives of several chamber officials, said that the main problem behind a declining export trend in the country was lack of strategic and specific actions to support export activity towards specific geographical areas or countries and products.

EBEA's chairman, Drakoulis Fountoukakos, expressed his satisfaction over a close cooperation with OPE and stressed the need to creating a coordinating agency that would study the complex problem of exports and would recommend the necessary economic diplomacy strategies to penetrate foreign markets.

[20] Greek stocks rebound on Thursday

Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.21 percent up at 1,777.27 points, with turnover an extremely low 51.6 million euros.

The Textile, Retail, Holding and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.26 percent, 2.71 percent, 1.96 percent and 0.62 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Telecommunications and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.85 percent, 0.28 percent and 0.26 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks raised 0.23 percet, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.37 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.67 percent up. The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks fell 0.19 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 168 to 120 with another 69 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Technical Olympic, Informatics, Coca Cola HBC, and Intracom.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 45.9 mln euros Thursday

Equity Index Futures: