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[12] ATHOC head calls Games a 'challenge for entire country'

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was quoted in an interview published in the latest edition of the Greek-language edition of “Foreign Policy”.

She also underlined the enormous significance the Games will have for Greece’s growth as well as its image towards the outside world, citing the thousands of media professionals in Athens for the Olympics and billions of television viewers around the world -- “who will see a modern and effective Greece”.

Asked about her cooperation with the various government ministries and services, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki called it “superb”, while adding that her personal cooperation with Prime Minister Costas Simitis “exceptional”.

The premier offered her the top post at ATHOC during a difficult turning point for the Games’ preparation.

[13] PASOK Eurodeputy Anna Karamanou visits Korydallos prison

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

They offered gifts to the children of imprisoned women and had a dialogue on living conditions in the penitentiary. They also had a two-hour meeting with inmates close to the three women who died of drugs earlier this week.

Three imprisoned women died on Tuesday when they mixed alcohol, prescription drugs and heroine pills given to them by an inmate.

Commenting on the tragic incident during her departure from the prison, Karamanou said ''the tragic death of the three young women held in the Korydallos prison, an extreme and rare case, has shocked me. I have been convinced now that it is necessary for us to revise the traditional strategy of handling drugs and see users as patients needing therapy and not punishment.''

[14] Alleged terrorist Sotiropoulou ends hunger strike

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

Sotiropoulou, an alleged member of the murderous ''November 17'' terrorist group, is the only woman to be arrested to date in connection with the scores of murders and terrorist actions in Greece claimed by ''N 17''.

The alleged terrorist demanded that the door of her cell remain open during the hours of her walks in the prison's yard and that her rights to communication should be taken care of.

Fragiadakis also said that the rest of the alleged terrorists will soon enjoy the same rights as the other Korydallos prison inmates.

[15] ''N17'' actions ''criminal'' & not ''political'', appellate court council says

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

The judges ruled that terrorist actions involved innocent victims and caused the death of people unable to defend themselves.

Also the crimes did not fall under the category covered by the statue of limitations, as the participation in a criminal organization is a continual crime.

As for the infamous ''N17'' in particular, the judges said that the members of the group were discovered and arrested due to the explosion of the bomb alleged terrorist Savvas Xiros attempted to place in Piraeus end of June 2002.

Finally, the judges said that the founding members of the group were alleged terrorists Alexandros Giotopoulos, Nikos Papanastasiou, Yiannis and Pavlos Serifis and a woman codenamed ''Anna'' who is still at large.

[16] Ten illegal immigrants and Turkish trafficker arrested on Lesvos island

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

Initial investigations revealed that an accomplice of the Turkish trafficker was also aboard the vessel and had managed to escape to a mountainous region of this Aegean island.

[17] Felony charges filed in prison drug overdose deaths

Athens, 03/01/2003 (ANA)

Felony drug possession and smuggling narcotics into a correctional facility charges, among others, were filed against Argentine national Dora-Carmen Villaba, as well as against a man identified only as Dimitris Pena. The two are accused of supplying an unknown quantity of heroin to inmate Sofia Bakea, 39.

The latter, along with another two female inmates, were also charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Conversely, warden Elizabeth Sarilava was charged with misdemeanor dereliction of duty in the case.

According to reports, the three women died when they mixed alcohol, prescription drugs and heroin pills supplied by Bakea.

A total of five inmates consumed the drug/alcohol “cocktail”, with two surviving –one of the two vomited the concoction while the other fell into a coma before recovering at a local hospital.

A guard found the bodies of the trio in their group cell on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as Maria Mihail, 19; Dimitra Hatzidimitriou, 42; and Aleka Voulgari, 22. All three had prior drug offence convictions, according to reports.

The victims were housed in the same wing -- at Korydallos Prison in southwest Athens -- as are several suspected “November 17” terrorists.

[18] Cyprus Government spokesman says Erdogan's statements could create conditions for solution

NICOSIA 03/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

''Erdogan's remarks create preconditions for a solution in Cyprus by February 28,'' Papapetrou told CNA on Thursday, and reiterated the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to work towards this direction.

Erdogan, leader of the ruling Justice and Development party, has called for a shake-up of Turkish policy on Cyprus and urged Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to take into consideration the recent protests by Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus calling for a solution on the basis of a UN proposal.

The spokesman said Erdogan's statements directly and clearly cast doubt on Denktash.

''Essentially Erdogan sides with the Turkish Cypriot parties which oppose Denktash's policies and are out in the streets protesting against it,'' the spokesman added.

''We have to assess the situation very carefully,'' Papapetrou said.

Replying to questions, he said all indications are that the new Turkish government seems to be gaining the upper hand in its confrontation with the Turkish establishment.

''I am not in favor of following the Cyprus policy that has been followed for 30 or 40 years,'' Erdogan told a Turkish television station Wednesday, adding that the protests by 30,000 Turkish Cypriots cannot simply be sidelined.

The Turkish politician also said that if a decision in the direction of a solution is not reached by the end of February, then things will get harder. The UN has called on the two sides on the island to intensify their efforts in the first two months of the year with a view at reaching a settlement and allowing a reunited Cyprus to sign its accession treaty in mid April for European Union membership.

Erdogan's statements indicate end of Denktash era, says FM Kasoulides: Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said Erdogan's statements confirm the view that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Denktash era.

Kasoulides described Erdogan's statements as ''very interesting,'' noting that this time his positions conclude that ''Mr. Denktash cannot decide on his own on a very important issue which concerns the whole of Turkey'' and that ''Turkey must be the one to decide for herself.''

Erdogan had said he is ''not in favor of following the Cyprus policy that has been followed for 30 or 40 years,'' adding, ''this business is not Mr. Denktash's personal business. It's not Ahmet's or Mehmet's or Tayyip Erdogan's. It's the struggle of a nation for existence.''

Kasoulides said Erdogan's statements signify a failure of the Turkish policy so far and added that some people should undertake responsibility for this failure.

''These statements confirm what we have been saying in the recent past that the rigid Turkish policy has ended, the mirror has cracked,'' he added.

''Hearing statements of this kind leads me to believe that we are witnessing the start of the end of the Denktash era is being confirmed. The sooner Mr. Denktash realizes it and resigns, the better. If he does not realize it, the only thing left for him to do is either to be forced to comply with the new policy or sidelined,'' he added.

Asked if someone can expect important developments in Turkey, Kasoulides said important changes are expected, but the question is when will these changes take place.

Replying to questions, he called on the Greek side to continue being positive and constructive in its policies, which has led Cyprus to the EU.

The EU's role as a catalyst on the peace effort is certain to lead Cyprus to reunification, he added.

[19] President Clerides does not expect major developments

NICOSIA 03/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

''Turkey's stance on Cyprus is expected to be clarified at some point. This current phase requires strong nerves, firmness in our positions and at the same time we have to consolidate further the view that the absence of a solution is not due to our unwillingness or lack of political will,'' the president said.

These, he pointed out, are fundamental elements of the policy which should be followed in the next months.

Asked how the Greek Cypriots can show solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots in the occupied areas of Cyprus, in their demonstrations in favor of a solution and accession to the European Union, President Clerides said that ''we welcome this, but we should not get involved in it, because the mobilizations are an internal matter of the Turkish Cypriot community.''

The president explained that the situation in the Turkish occupied areas seems to be due to the EU decision to accept Cyprus as a full member.

''The Turkish Cypriots are expressing their concerns. They want to see a solution, to be able to enjoy with us the benefits of the EU,'' he added.

Noting that during the efforts for a solution, ''we should not ignore the new developments in Europe,'' Clerides said that ''from this standpoint, accession to the EU has great significance and sends the message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots that the principle of two states with borders is outdated and that the only solution that can be achieved is through the spirit of European unity.''

''Decisions on certain issues which were of enormous significance for one or the other community will not be taken in Cyprus,'' once the country joins the EU, he explained.

On EU membership, the president said that as far as procedure is concerned the European Parliament and subsequently the national parliaments of the member states will have to ratify enlargement.

Clerides did not shed light on whether he intends to seek re-election during the February 2003 presidential elections.

He was quoted as saying in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that he is considering re-election, although he has not decided. ''If a solution is found on the 25th or 28th of February there will not be any reason for me to ask to continue as President of the Republic of Cyprus,'' Clerides told Reuters. ''If it's not, then it would be very unwise in the middle of the negotiations to walk out and give the matter to somebody else.''

Asked by reporters if his statement to Reuters meant he would seek re-election, Clerides replied ''no''.

''Whoever begins negotiations should inform his successor to know what's going on,'' he added.

The Copenhagen European Council in December 12-13 invited Cyprus, along with nine other countries, to join the European Union in May 2004 as full members. The accession treaty will be signed during the Greek EU Presidency. Greece assumed the EU's rotating presidency from Denmark on Wednesday.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is making efforts

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