Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece wants a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus, Simitis says from Prague

[02] Gov't spokesman on Simitis-Bush contacts

[03] Gov't denies that EU had prior knowledge of Annan plan contents

[04] Gov't spokesman on Turkish stance vis-a-vis 'Euro-Army', Cyprus

[05] Finance minister meets President Clerides, Cypriot party leaders

[06] PM Simitis to meet with Dutch counterpart Balkenende

[07] ND leader says government inaugurating election setting

[08] Erdogan says tough positions do not produce results

[09] Merchant marine minister in Malta for EU-linked talks

[10] Iranian embassy release on Karamanou initiative

[11] Greece needs measures to support export trade

[12] Capital Markets' Commission approves PPC's IPO

[13] Cooperation and Aid program signed with Albania

[14] Agricultural Policy Council discusses EU enlargement

[15] Business seminar to bring together Portuguese, Greek companies

[16] Low exports due to public sector, private firms

[17] Taxis to stage 48-hour strike starting Wednesday

[18] State to keep minimum 34 pct in Greek Tourism Real Estate

[19] Northern industrialists call 2003 budget realistic

[20] GSEE conference gets under way on Saturday

[21] Greek stocks end with small losses on Friday

[22] New bill prohibits camera coverage of court trials, including N17 trials

[23] Alleged 'N17' leader denies he authored terrorist 'handbook'

[24] 'Toros' exhibition in Barcelona forms part of Cultural Olympiad

[25] Migrant smuggling arrests in Patra; 1 man used forged Swedish passport

[26] Exhibition of ancient artifacts uncovered by roadbuilding works

[27] Attica cited as an EU area with highest proportion of doctors

[28] Greek-Turkish cooperation in...artificial insemination!

[29] UEFA fines Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce for incidents in Istanbul and Athens

[30] Annan stands by his timetable on Cyprus

[31] Security Council draft resolution on UNFICYP

[32] Negative vote in referendum should not jeopardize EU accession, says Markides

[33] AHI congratulates US Senate over resolution on Cyprus

[01] Greece wants a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus, Simitis says from Prague

PRAGUE 23/11/02 (ANA/V. Mourtis)

In all, the Greek premier had talks with 25 of the 27 heads of state and government at the Prague summit, some of whom he met with more than once, while he will be meeting the Dutch premier during a visit to The Hague on Saturday.

Similarly, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou met nearly all his NATO counterparts, while he will be visiting London on Monday and Washington on Tuesday in a bid to persuade Britain and the United States.

At a press conference in the Czech capital, Simitis said that Athens wanted a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus without provisos or conditions. He also stressed that the island republic fulfilled all the criteria for EU entry in the best possible way and should be among the first countries to join.

The Greek premier emphasized that Greece's position was steadfast and unchanging on this point and that Athens would defend it with every means at its disposal if any departures from previous positions regarding Cyprus' EU accession were attempted at the EU summit in Copenhagen.

The Greek premier let it be understood that this included making use of the Greek veto. He also stressed that Greece desired a solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible. Should an agreement with Turkey fail to be reached before the Copenhagen summit, Greece would continue efforts for a solution in a way that would prevent Turkey from prevaricating and keeping the issue open indefinitely, he added.

Simitis did not rule out the possibility that objections to Cyprus' accession might be raised in Copenhagen, but said that European leaders appeared to support Greek efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem and had noted Turkey's inelastic stance in talks with himself and foreign minister Papandreou.

At the same time, Simitis reported that a shift in attitudes had taken place in Prague on setting a date for the start of accession negotiations with Turkey, with EU leaders now more open toward making a decision on this issue in Copenhagen.

A high-ranking source within the Greek delegation said that the Copenhagen summit would either decide a date for the start of accession negotiations with Turkey or else set a date on which Turkey's request would be discussed, with the second seen as the more likely outcome.

Turkey's stance on the Cyprus issue, the European force and EU-Turkey negotiations were also discussed during a meeting between Simitis and US President George Bush on Thursday night, attended by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

He said the American side showed strong interest in all three issues but without appearing to link them, while he had conveyed Athens' desire to give Turkey an encouraging message regarding its EU prospects at Copenhagen, provided that these were matched by positive messages from Turkey regarding the European rapid response force and the Cyprus issue that clearly indicated the next developments.

Karamanlis says well vote against EU expansion if Cyprus not included: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday outlines his partys reservations to certain points in the recently tabled Annan peace plan for Cyprus, demanding tough and effective negotiations to overcome negative points.

The plan by the United Nations Secretary-General does not guarantee a truly unified Cyprus; it does not refer to a European solution, nor does it ensure a functional, viable and fair plan. In the best of circumstances, it leads to a painful compromise. We are not against dialogue but the proposed plan presents serious weaknesses, and that is why a timely priority must be for us to finally negotiate decisively and effectively, the ND president underlined in an address to the partys central committee.

He also expressed his concern over what he called a packaging of the various aspects of the Cyprus problem and other related issues, stressing that Turkeys European orientation depends on its own behavior and on a fair Cyprus solution.

We will not vote for (EU) expansion if it does not include Cyprus; we insist on the accession of all of Cyprus without conditions or prerequisites, and based on the German precedent. Asterisks, footnotes and postscripts are incomprehensible and do not fit within Copenhagen (the upcoming EU summit), he emphasized.

In closer-to-home developments, Karamanlis criticized PM Costas Simitis for not convening a council of political leaders on the issue, while asking: if national understanding and cooperation isnt ensured in this crucial instance, then when will it? They cannot ignore the example of Cyprus, where a national council exists and operates responsibly, Karamanlis stressed.

The ND leader also called on the prime minister to clearly express Greek positions, and just appear accommodating to all. It is his obligation to speak the truth, and to not employ various legions of propagandists every time in order to belittle, as backwards and anti-European, every expression of patriotic sensitivity... he said.

[02] Gov't spokesman on Simitis-Bush contacts

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

According to acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris, the Greek side referred to issues where pressure must be exerted and on which parties such pressure should be exerted prior to the EU Summit in Copenhagen early next month.

Asked if the US president will assist on these issues, Hytiris noted that Mr. Bush said that is exactly what he was doing, and what he will continue doing.

[03] Gov't denies that EU had prior knowledge of Annan plan contents

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

Government spokesman Tilemahos Hytiris, who was standing in for Christos Protopapas while the latter accompanied the prime minister on a trip to Prague made the statement in response to questions about a report in the newspaper "Eleftheros Typos".

[04] Gov't spokesman on Turkish stance vis-a-vis 'Euro-Army', Cyprus

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

In response to a press question, spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said the Turkish government wants to make its decisions on the basis of what it believes the European Union will give in return.

[05] Finance minister meets President Clerides, Cypriot party leaders

NICOSIA 23/11/02 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

In statements he said the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus for accession to the European Union have led to the undertaking of international initiatives for a solution to the Cyprus issue.

He added that the Republic of Cyprus has achieved enviable performances regarding its European course since it succeeded in fulfilling political criteria and creating strong growth and potential which is shaping advantages and possibilities within Europe.

Anastasiades said after meeting Christodoulakis that sobriety and patience are necessary, far from expediencies in handling dangers which might appear in light of developments on the Cyprus issue.

He added that expediencies can be handled ''in very close cooperation with the Greek government which has been standing by our side all this time'' and that ''determination, persuasiveness and correct moves are required and not clumsy acts which in no way help the case of Cyprus and the case of Hellenism in general.''

In another development, Cyprus' finance Minister Takis Clerides outlined the benefits for Cyprus' accession to the European Union at an event organized by the Bank of Cyprus in honor of Christodoulakis.

Clerides said political security which will be consolidated by Cyprus' European capacity, its unimpeded access to the EU's single market, the consolidation of macroeconomic stability, interest rate decreases, the attraction of foreign investors and access to structural funds will benefit the economy of Cyprus considerably.

''These benefits will be multiplied if Cyprus' accession is combined with the island's reunification. Because in that case the reconstruction of occupied territories (with EU subsidies) will create considerable business opportunities,'' Clerides added.

On his part, Christodoulakis noted that ''Greece, in parallel, has become the champion of economic growth in the EU and thanks to a historic coincidence Greece will be the first presiding country to welcome enlargement.''

[06] PM Simitis to meet with Dutch counterpart Balkenende

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

The Greek premier will travel to the Netherlands following his participation at a NATO summit in Prague.

Asked if Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet in The Hague with UN special mediator for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said no such meeting is planned.

[07] ND leader says government inaugurating election setting

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

Karamanlis called on party members to take up battle positions and stressed that ND should stand by "farmers, people belonging to low and medium income brackets, the people of toil and those who are not privileged and who are being harmed by the government's failed policies".

He further said the Greeks are choosing ND for their present and future, believing that it will be the next government and for this reason they have increased demands from all.

Karamanlis insisted on the policy of adhering to the political center and his overtures to all citizens, saying that the party's strategy is a given fact and will not change.

He criticized the government for its policy in the economy, education and agriculture. ''What is modernization they are invoking? Vested interests, immunity and impunity? Development and progress are not built in this way, things do not change in a country with false figures and a people cannot be ruled with mockery and deceit. Never has a government shown such pettiness. Never has a government dared to wear together so much arrogance and so much misery,'' he said.

[08] Erdogan says tough positions do not produce results

ISTANBUL 23/11/02 (ANA)

Erdogan, whose statements were published in the newspaper ''Radikal'', criticized ''hawks'', saying ''you can be a 'hawk' as much as you like. This does not help in any way if you cannot find solutions.''

He went on to say ''I find difficulty in understanding the logic of those speaking of losses in the Cyprus issue. We must realize well what gains mean and what losses mean. However, we do not support the logic of concessions to rid ourselves of the problem. We are aware of the ulterior motives of those who have shaped this position and we are making efforts to reach some healthy solution.''

Erdogan further said ''we speak of establishing a partnership state in Cyprus based on two equal and sovereign founder states'', adding that ''the Cyprus issue has not been able to be solved for 40 years and we favor its solution and not the creation of new problems'' and that ''we believe we shall reach a solution with mutual sacrifices.''

The winner of Turkey's recent elections summed up by saying ''we are not preoccupying ourselves with the empty part of the glass but the full one. Politics are the art of finding effective solutions. If loving one's country is nationalism, we are more nationalists than those speaking of nationalism and we are pursuing the finding of a healthy solution to the Cyprus issue.''

[09] Merchant marine minister in Malta for EU-linked talks

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

During his visit, which ends on Monday, Anomeritis will meet Malta's president Guido de Marco; and the transport and communications minister, Censu Galea.

[10] Iranian embassy release on Karamanou initiative

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

Karamanou made the allegations in a letter to the public order ministry, where she called for Greek authorities to allow the woman, Fariba Sehat, and her daughter to remain in the country and not be deported to Iran.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran announces the story put forth is a sheer lie and that reality can easily be proved through contact with the Iranian competent authorities. The Embassy announces its readiness as well as to provide facilities for the return of the said Iranian lady to Iran accordingly, a letter issued by the embassy reads.

The Iranian side also stressed that Karamanou should have studied the case through the coordination with the Embassy before sending a letter to the Hellenic Public Order Ministry.

[11] Greece needs measures to support export trade

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, SEBE chairman, Dimitris Symeonidis, IOBE chairman Lucas Kyriakopoulos and Theodosios Palaskas, a university professor head of IOBE's research, stressed the need to draft an integrated national strategy plan to enhance the country's outward behavior and expressed their worries over the course of Greek exports and the country's competitiveness.

Mr. Symeonidis said that the value of Greek exports as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product was steadily less or equal to 10 percent of GDP in the last decade (9.7 percent in 1990, 8.3 percent in 2000 and 9.0 percent in 2001), and noted a 24.5 percent drop in Greek exports in 2001 compared with the previous year.

Mr. Symeonidis also noted that exports were 12.5 percent down in the first nine months of 2002 and that the country's trade and current accounts' deficits worsened over the same period.

He said that a National Competitiveness Council should work to raise Greek exports' contribution to the country's GDP by at least two or three percentage points for the situation to improve.

IOBE's chairman, Mr. Kyriakopoulos, stressed that a new economic environment added new elements in a modern view of competitiveness, such as the speed with which international competition transformed and affected each national economy.

He presented an IOBE's report, based on a sample of 1,200 businesses in Greece, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland and Italy. The report showed that 52 percent of Greek companies (mainly small- and medium-size enterprises) saw their competitiveness drop significantly in the last three years, compared with an average fall of 30.4 percent in other European countries. On the other hand, 56 percent of European companies improved their positions in the domestic and international markets, up from 29 percent of Greek companies.

Around 46.5 percent of Greek enterprises adopted strictly defensive policies in their operations, while 50.4 percent of foreign companies adopted aggressive policies in product promotion and development. This aggressive policy helped in increasing employment in foreign companies, while Greek companies' defensive policy led to a 37 percent drop in employment.

[12] Capital Markets' Commission approves PPC's IPO

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

PPC plans to sell a part of its equity stake through the Athens Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, December 3-6.

The company will start a series of road shows, beginning next Tuesday in Athens.

The Capital Markets' Commission, in its regular weekly meeting, also approved a merger plan between Eurolink Securities and Nexus Securities. The new company will be called Nexus-Eurolink Securities and will have an equity capital of 16.5 million euros.

[13] Cooperation and Aid program signed with Albania

TIRANA 23/11/02 (ANA)

The program includes infrastructure projects totalling 1.5 million euros. The implementation of this program will begin in January 2003 and 26 communities in various Albanian cities will benefit.

After the signing of the agreement, Greek Ambassador Iliopoulos thanked Local Administration and Decentralization Minister Blusi for his assistance enabling the program to get started and said ''the signing of the agreement implements the Greek government's free aid for infrastructure projects in southern Albania.''

On his part, Blusi expressed satisfaction over the signing of the agreement and for Greece's aid to Albania, saying ''development programs in infrastructure projects in many communities in Albania will improve the life of citizens in these regions considerably.''

[14] Agricultural Policy Council discusses EU enlargement

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

Agriculture Minister George Drys referred in his address to the environment in which Greek agriculture is moving in the international market and the new ''social potential'' being shaped on an international level.

Summing up decisions taken in ''Brussels'', Drys said subsidies have been secured until 2013, there is no ceiling for expenditures in the CAP's 2nd pylon and the total decrease in funds for the ''15'' will be in the region of 4-5 percent over the 2007-2013 period. This decrease will affect the subsidization of Greek producers very slightly.

On the question of fishing, Drys mentioned the targets of reshaping the EU's common fishing policy, adding that Greece is interested in common fishing policy for the Mediterranean which initially necessitates the harmonization of legislation between Mediterranean countries.

Drys further said the country will pursue recognition of the importance of coastal fishing which forms a considerable part of fishing in Greece.

[15] Business seminar to bring together Portuguese, Greek companies Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

On this occasion, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) is organizing a seminar on Monday, December 2, in cooperation with Portugal's Institute of Exporting Trade (ICEP) on: ''Greece-Portugal: economic challenge and new opportunities in Europe''.

Greek businesses will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of 48 Portuguese agencies and companies.

[16] Low exports due to public sector, private firms

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

''The reasons for the country's weak exports performance include quantity and quality aspects, and the reasons should be sought both in the organization of the public sector and in moves by companies, Loverdos said.

He was speaking at a meeting on the role of exports in growth held by the Association of Northern Greek Industrialists and Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research.

[17] Taxis to stage 48-hour strike starting Wednesday

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

The SATA union said on Friday that it had called the strike to press for a rise in the base tariff, and to protest against the introduction of new bus lanes, from which taxis are barred.

Members will stage a protest in central Athens on Thursday and a protest march along selected bus lanes, the statement said.

[18] State to keep minimum 34 pct in Greek Tourism Real Estate Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

The ruling applies if the company should seek listing on the Athens Stock Exchange or any other bourse, according to the tourism bill devised by the development ministry.

The bill also contains articles on boosting tourism studies and research.

[19] Northern industrialists call 2003 budget realistic

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

"The budget has many positive points...it is in the right direction," said the association's president, Dimitris Symeonidis.

The budget could also help to boost growth if public spending were cut, except for investments, coupled with a productive use of funds gained from the move, Symeonidis said in a statement.

[20] GSEE conference gets under way on Saturday

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

The GSEE plenum held a meeting on Friday to discuss the major issues to be raised at the conference held at a hotel in an Athens coastal resort.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos referred to the tendency of workers to keep themselves at a distance which he claimed that ''apart from our own lack of presence, is due to the restructures and to the new labor environment which the new economy imposes where the degree of trade unionism is nil.'' Polyzogoupoulos cited as an example the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) which currently has 17,000 employees compared to 30,000 in the past.

He said the basic idea for achieving the objective of strengthening trade unions will be the unification of labor centers and federations and the creation of a council in every region with the participation of all labor centers.

[21] Greek stocks end with small losses on Friday

Athens 23/11/02 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.09 percent to end at 1,858.90 points, with turnover an improved 106.63 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.19 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.44 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.26 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 161 to 144 with another 58 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Panafon, Cosmote, Public Power Corporation, and Alpha Bank.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 61.3 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: