Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] "Simitis: Quest for Cyprus solution should not be delayed"

[02] Epiphany celebrated with blessing of waters throughout Greece

[03] Deputy FM Magriotis, ND leader Karamanlis, meet with Ecumenical Patriarch

[04] ND's Karamanlis tours Halki Theological School

[05] ND leader meets with Turkey's Erdogan in Ankara

[06] Domestic political developments in Cyprus will not influence handlings

[07] Greek economy to grow despite difficult int'l environment, premier says

[08] Greek economy minister meets with Danish counterpart in Copenhagen

[09] EU takes Greece to Court over car insurance, e-commerce & e-banking

[10] Taxi drivers to go ahead with strike, despite federation criticism

[11] Would-be migrants stray into minefield, 2 dead

[12] 48-year-old man arrested for smuggling post-Byzantine Icons

[13] DISY supports Clerides' candidacy for presidency

[01] "Simitis: Quest for Cyprus solution should not be delayed"

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

In an interview carried by the Sunday edition of “To Vima” newspaper, Simitis also touched on recent developments in neighboring Turkey vis-a-vis the timely Cyprus issue, saying the view promoting closer integration with Europe appears stronger in Turkey.

However, he warned against any “foot-dragging” as far as a long-sought solution is concerned for the divided east Mediterranean island republic.

“It is a mistake for anyone to believe that because a date was given to Turkey for (EU accession) talks in 2004 then the Cyprus issue can also wait.”

Touching on the Greek EU presidency’s priorities in the first half of 2003, the premier said Athens would continue its predecessor’s (Denmark) policy of “urging Ankara to maintain a productive stance towards efforts at solving the Cyprus problem”.

In terms of the European Union, Simitis said what’s needed is for a Union able to consolidate the notion that member-states can collectively provide better solutions to the modern era’s challenges.

Iraq crisis: Regarding the controversial Iraq question, Simitis called on EU countries to seek a unified position regarding the matter and to try and avoid a war.

Simitis, who assumes the EU presidency until the end of June, added that the UN’s resolutions should guide the bloc’s policy vis-a-vis Iraq, before noting that Athens’ goal will be to iron-out a common stance by all 15 member-states.

Moreover, the Greek premier said he has already discussed the issue of a common stance with the leaders of the Union’s major powers, namely, France, Germany and Britain.

Development minister Tsohatzopoulos optimistic war on Iraq will be averted: Development minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Monday ex-pressed optimism that developments would be forthcoming that would avert war operations in Iraq.

He added, however, that in the event that war was not averted, Greece was in a position to face the repercussions of an international crisis.

Speaking at the cutting of the New Year pita (cake) at the Macedonia-Thrace Union of Journalists (ESHEM-TH), Tsohatzopoulos said that "no one is happy with the prospect of war operations in Iraq".

"I hope that, as impossible as it may seem, there will be developments that will avert the war," the minister said, adding that this would require the mobilization of all the political forces and all the countries of the region, "because it must be made clear that the decisions of the UN Security Council must be respected also by Iraq".

"I simply express the hope that Greece will be a front-runner (in such an effort). At any rate, we have fuel adequacy, I believe we have the ability to face a relatively smooth crisis period if there is one. Besides, we are not alone, we are part of the immense ability and dynamic of the European Union, and for this reason I can say that we will face whatever consequences of any crisis that arises in the future with security and certainty," Tsohatzopoulos said.

On the Cyprus issue, Tsohatzopoulos said that all should work for a "comprehensive, democratic solution acceptable to all the Cypriots -- Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike -- since Cyprus is already, in its entirety, a member of the European Union".

Parliament president Kaklamanis hopes for peace, aversion of Iraq war, in 2003: Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis on Monday ex-pressed hope that the New Year would bring peace to Greece and the wider region, which he said was threatened by the prospective war on Iraq.

''I hope this year will be a peaceful one for our country, but also for the wider region which is threatened, as we all know, by Desert Storm no. 2,'' Kaklamanis said.

He warned that if the war on Iraq was not averted, it would mean an immense regression not only for the region, where the operations would take place, ''but also for our own region, and will dynamite the course of the European peoples to the EU''.

''Let us hope and struggle so that 2003 will not be a year of regression for our region, for Europe and for all of humanity,'' he said.

Greek EU presidency strongly condemns twin suicide bombings in Israel: The Greek EU presidency on Monday strongly condemned a twin suicide bombing attack by Palestinians in Israel the previous day that killed 22 people and injured more than 100, according to latest information.

Two Palestinian suicide bombers detonated explosives packed with nails and bolts in back-to-back attacks at a bus station in downtown Tel Aviv on Sunday.

In a statement issued Monday, the Greek EU presidency said it ''condemns in the most intense manner the suicide bomb attacks that took place in Tel Aviv yesterday (Monday) that cost the lives of at least 18 innocent citizens''.

The statement also expressed the EU presidency's sincerest sympathy to the families of the victims.

Greece further reiterated the European Union's position that ''the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people cannot be promoted via terrorist actions'', and expressed hope that Monday's ''abhorrent events'' would not result in a ''rekindling of the enmity and will not become an object of exploitation by extremists''.

[02] Epiphany celebrated with blessing of waters throughout Greece

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos attended the sanctification ceremony in the country's largest port, Piraeus, presided over by Metropolitan Kallinikos of Piraeus and also attended by prime minister Costas Simitis, parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis, merchant marine minister George Anomeritis, Piraeus mayor Christos Agrapidis, Piraeus prefect Yannis Michas, ruling PASOK secretary Costas Laliotis, representatives of the political parties, and MPs.

After the ceremony, during which a cross was tossed into the sea, the dignitaries attended a reception at the Piraeus City Hall.

In Athens, the ceremony at Dexameni square in Kolonaki and afterwards at the National Swimming Pool facility was attended by the new Athens mayor Dora Bakoyianni, members of the municipal council, MPs, and the Armed Forces leadership, while the government was represented by State Deputy Stefanos Manikas.

In Istanbul, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos of Constantinople for the first time in decades consecrated the waters outside the Patriarchal residence, in the presence of pilgrims from all parts of the world and in the presence of Greece's deputy foreign minister Yannis Magriotis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, and diplomats.

Patriarch Vartholomeos noted the importance of the consecration ceremony taking place outside the patriarchal residence, speaking of ''new developments'', since in previous years the consecration ceremony would take place in remote areas.

[03] Deputy FM Magriotis, ND leader Karamanlis, meet with Ecumenical Patriarch

ISTANBUL 07/01/2003 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

Greeting Magriotis and Karamanlis, the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke of Turkey's European vocation, noting that since the EU summit in Helsinki Greece had manifested the best disposition and had since ceaselessly supported Turkey in its European prospect.

Vartholomeos expressed hope that Turkey in turn would proceed with speedy steps to the reforms necessary for becoming an equal member of the European Union, opining that this would be also to the benefit of the Greek community in Turkey and of the Patriarchate.

Asked by reporters to comment on the prospective of war in Iraq, the Ecumenical Patriarchate said ''we want peace, not war''.

Magriotis also met with prominent Turkish businessman Shank Tara, and vice-president of the Association of Turkish Industries, Aldo Kazlouski.

The two Turkish businessmen stressed the need for resolving the Cyprus issue, given the "immense imbalance" between the occupied sector of Cyprus and the rest of the island republic.

On the political situation in Turkey, the two businessmen said that although they had not supported Justice and Development party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the recent general elections in Turkey, they did back him now because his stance was a "pleasant surprise" that "ensures political stability", while the public opinion was also on his side.

They also expressed appreciation for Greece's backing of Turkey at the recent EU summit in Copenhagen, and called on Athens to continue its support so that Turkey may have a "European future".

The two Turkish businessmen further appealed for continuation of the commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

On Sunday, Magriotis said that Greece decisively supported Turkey's European prospect.

Magriotis, speaking at a reception at the Greek General Consulate, said Turkey's EU membership would benefit the entire Turkish people, as well as the Greek community in Turkey, which he said had faced so many years of tribulations.

Speaking at the same reception, Karamanlis said Turkey's European prospect opened up a significant window of hope for the settlement of many problems.

[04] ND's Karamanlis tours Halki Theological School

ISTANBUL 07/01/2003 (ANA)

Karamanlis, who was accompanied by his wife Natasa and a few close associates, was met and escorted around the premises by the three remaining monks of the Aghia Triada Orthodox Monastery on the isle. According to the abbot of the monastery, 30 ethnic Greeks remain on Halki out of the once flourishing expatriate communities on the Sea of Marmara islands (Prigiponissia).

The ND leader later stressed that the seminary should be immediately reopened, a standing demand by Athens over the years and a request also taken up by the European Union and the international community.

He also expressed his hope that the new Turkish government will realize the issue’s significance and respond positively in the near future. The issue is expected to be discussed in an Ankara meeting between the leader of Turkey’s ruling party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Karamanlis on Monday.

[05] ND leader meets with Turkey's Erdogan in Ankara

ANKARA 07/01/2003 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

In a joint press conference, Erdogan called Karamanlis' visit significant and a positive step in the Greek-Turkish relations.

Erdogan stressed that everyone's attention has turned to Cyprus and expressed the hope for Greece's active support for Turkey's European course, now that it holds the EU presidency.

On his part, Karamanlis said that his party unwaveringly supports Turkey's European orientation, but stressed that Ankara should fulfill the criteria both in the domestic front and in its relations with its neighbors.

He also stressed that the support for Turkey's European course is a central political decision, underlining that everyone has to contribute to toward a just a viable solution for the Cyprus issue.

Karamanlis noted that Turkey is at a crucial crossroads, underlining that New Democracy encourages Erdogan's policy and the initiatives of the new Turkish government toward its European orientation, in efforts to turn a page and achieve prosperity, security and peace in the region.

Karamanlis also said that they discussed the possibility of cooperation between the Turkish Justice and Development and the European Peoples' Party.

According to sources, during the talks, Erdogan said that new politicians should provide a new dimension in Greek-Turkish relations and that it is left up to these new politicians to provide a resolution for the Cyprus problem, underlining that ''all these years we are tired of hearing the same things again and again''.

Karamanlis, during the press conference, said that a solution should be found for the Cyprus problem if improvements are made to the Annan plan, so that it may be viable and functional.

[06] Domestic political developments in Cyprus will not influence handlings

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

''The Republic of Cyprus is a modern, European democracy that functions in an absolutely smooth and normal manner, and no domestic political development can, or should, influence the handlings on the Cyprus issue. And this holds true for foreign policy issues, for the national issues, in general,'' Venizelos said.

Venizelos added that Cyprus ''national course'' was a given fact, which provided it with a shield and the ability to negotiate, with the best possible terms, a solution to Cyprus political problem.

''A small country that has a democratic tradition can overcome all problems. And the Cyprus people, with their experience, instinct and acumen will make the best choice,'' he added.

Replying to the same question, Macedonia-Thrace minister George Paschalidis said that these were matters to be decided by the Cypriot people.

''The Cypriot political world has shown that it is responsible and will assess that the Cyprus issue, after 28 years, has entered its most critical phase. I believe that Cyprus' EU accession creates a momentum also for a solution to its political problem, and I believe that the Cyprus people will be the final judges,'' he said.

[07] Greek economy to grow despite difficult int'l environment, premier says

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

''Greece, however, contrary to other countries, has a high rate of economic growth. This means investments, decrease of unemployment, more sources for social policy,'' he stressed, adding that ''we will have a high rate of growth in 2003 as well, thus promoting our aim to converge, year by year, with the rest of the European Union in all sectors''.

[08] Greek economy minister meets with Danish counterpart in Copenhagen

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

Christodoulakis stressed that the aims of the ECOFIN during the Greek presidency will be to secure a stable economic environment and increase the confidence of the European citizens in the economic prospects and the capabilities of the European Union.

One of the main tools for success, Christodoulakis said, would be the securing of macro-economic stability, through respect for the Stability and Development Pact, adding that the European Commission will table a proposal during the Spring Summit in Brussels for the strengthening of the Stability and Development Pact.

Also the minister said that taxation, structural and convergence issues will also be in the forefront.

[09] EU takes Greece to Court over car insurance, e-commerce & e-banking

BRUSSELS 07/01/2003 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The Commission issued written arguments, a step before bringing charges to court, for all the above issues.

The Commission announced that Greece, France, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Great Britain failed to incorporate legislation in their national legal systems for the insurance coverage of cars in other member-states than those of their origin.

To date there are no provisions made in accordance with the regulation of the Union, which demands that all national car insurers be forced to have representatives in all other member-states to facilitate the compensation of victims in their own state and their own language.

Also the Union is taking Greece, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal to task for not incorporating legislation concerning the regulation of e-commerce, while Greece, Belgium, Finland and France are also charged for not incorporating regulations concerning the security of electronic banking.

[10] Taxi drivers to go ahead with strike, despite federation criticism

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

SATA has called a two-day strike, beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, calling for substantial changes to Transport ministry bill being debated in parliament introducing a new institutional regime for the operation of taxicabs.

SATA claims that if basic provisions in the bill are not changed, the branch will be led to dissolution and taxi services will pass into the hands of ''organized oligopolies''. In addition to institutional demands, SATA is also demanding that taxis be granted access to bus lanes, in which only buses and motorcycles are presently allowed.

It also called the Panhellenic Taxi Federation a ''small group of selected trade unionists acting as mouthpieces of the transport ministry'', and accused it of "trying to create impressions through strike-breaking mechanisms".

In a statement on Monday, the Panhellenic Taxi Federation criticized SATA's decision to call a 48-hour strike on Wednesday and Thursday and its rejection of the transport ministry's bill in total.

The federation accused SATA of "divisive perceptions", and said the decision for the strike was illegal and contrary to the provisions of the charter governing the sector.

The federation said it endorsed the passing of the bill, which it said ensured the rights of the taxi owners, provided that the state would give 20 billion dr. for the replacement of taxicabs, and would help rid the branch of illegal taxis.

'Washington Post' article on 2004 security measures WASHINGTON 07/01/2003 (T. Ellis)

All-important security measures for upcoming Olympic Games of Athens were the subject of a front-page article by the “Washington Post” on Saturday, with the author stressing that the 2004 Games “will be the most heavily protected and perhaps most uneasily watched in Olympic history.”

The Post emphasizes the post-9/11 international situation as necessitating that unprecedented $600 million minimum set aside by the Greek government for security infrastructure and equipment and its intention to deploy “45,000 full-time uniformed personnel for the Games.”

“The security budget will more than double that of any previous Olympics. The number of personnel will obliterate previous totals by a factor of four. And the extent and formality of the international networking, though in step with the collaboration that has characterized the global fight against terrorism in the last year, represents a new approach to Olympic security,” the Washington Post article reads.

Additionally, Athens 2004 security consultant Peter Ryan, the lead security executive for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, was quoted as saying that “teamwork and expenditures are not merely resourceful, they are necessary to meet the basic security demands of the Olympics ... at a particularly perilous time in world history in a region with a unique and daunting set of challenges.”

The article also cites the added challenges entailed by Greece’s geographical location on the crossroads of SE Europe, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean.

Moreover, Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis is credited with establishing a seven-nation “Olympic Security Advisory Group” to advice Greece on security issues.

"I saw that we needed the international cooperation, because these countries have experience ... it was a very positive initiative," Chrysohoidis was quoted as saying.

[11] Would-be migrants stray into minefield, 2 dead

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

According to military officials, a rescue operation for the injured man and retrieval of his two companions’ bodies was concluded hours later in the afternoon, as heavy fog in the Orestiada region of Evros prefecture – Greece’s only land border with Turkey – hampered efforts by a mine-clearing unit. The exact site of the incident was given as the Marasia location, north of the town of Orestiada, and only a short distance from the Evros River, which separates Greece from Turkey in the Thrace province.

All three of the would-be migrants were identified as Burundi nationals. The wounded man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

More than two dozen illegal immigrants, mostly from Turkey, the Middle East and Asia, have been killed in minefields along the Greek-Turkish frontier since 1999. The Greek military maintains only clearly marked – with fluorescent signs that are visible in the dark -- and fenced-off minefields along the river border with Turkey. Local authorities have repeatedly charged over the years that migrant traffickers often steer illegals into such areas in order to ascertain whether mines are activated in marked-off fields.

In two unrelated and separate incidents, two badly decomposed bodies were located by the coast guard over the weekend -- one off the small Dodecanese island of Symi, and the other off the sea region of Kymasio, Evia island.

Both of the victims were male, probably between the ages of 25-30.

[12] 48-year-old man arrested for smuggling post-Byzantine Icons

Athens, 07/01/2003 (ANA)

Nikolaos Iakovidis, born in Kazakhstan and naturalized as a Greek citizen, was arrested at the Greek-Bulgarian border at the Promachonas border-crossing transporting 57 Icons hidden among his legal cargo of dried fruits and nuts.

Apparently the Icons were not declared for export in the Ukraine and may be the fruit of theft. The market value of the Icons is considered to be very high.

[13] DISY supports Clerides' candidacy for presidency

NICOSIA 07/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a lengthy bureau meeting Anastassiades noted that the party's highest authority, the Supreme Council will be asked next Saturday to change its previous decision for backing the candidacy of KISOS President Yiannakis Omirou and to give its support to President Clerides.

''We respect the abilities and the capabilities of Mr. Omirou, but President Clerides' call for the creation of a broadly accepted government for 16 months, at this critical time for Cyprus, is more important. It is a historic duty for the party to support President Clerides' candidacy,'' said Anastassiades.

He noted that Clerides' candidacy ''was not based on personal ambition, but to serve the country.''

Anastassiades said that the political bureau, during its discussion, took into consideration the decision by Attorney General Alecos Markides, Clerides' close aide and former senior official of DISY to run for the presidency.

Last Friday the president himself announced his own candidacy saying he will seek a 16-month term in office in February's presidential poll.

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