Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis speaks with Berlusconi, Blair, ahead of their talks with Bush

[02] FM discusses Iraq, Cyprus, Greek-Turkish affairs at press conference in Athens

[03] Deputy FM says Greece not in favor of war and war does not solve differences

[04] EU's common position on Iraq 'a message of peace for all', Athens says

[05] 32 Eurodeputies to depart for Baghdad on Sunday, 3 Greeks among them

[06] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly president expresses hope Iraq war will be averted

[07] Greek and Hungarian PMs discuss Hungary's EU accession and bilateral relations

[08] FM to visit Ankara on Thursday as part of EU troika

[09] Danish FM: Greek EU presidency expected to lead with a steady hand

[10] Ambassador Savvaides outlines priorities of Greek EU presidency

[11] PM and interior minister discuss corruption and deputies' incompatibility

[12] CoE Assembly adopts Greek member's report on EU's future

[13] EU expresses concern over N. Korea's withdrawal from nuclear weapons treaty

[14] Greek EU presidency issues declaration on transdnistrian conflict in Moldova

[15] Parliament passes bill for communications privacy authority

[16] Finmin says Iraq war will not permanently affect economies

[17] No danger of losing EU funds, Christodoulakis says

[18] Greek, Bulgarian development ministers sign cooperation memorandum

[19] Tourism to Greece down 1.0 pct in 2002

[20] Agrotica 2003 trade fair opens in Thessaloniki

[21] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows

[22] School organizes special event on Olympic Games

[23] Athens mayor participates in work group for Europe's future in Brussels

[24] Turkey thanks Greece for showing sensitivity following Jan. 27 quake

[25] Italian newspaper focuses on Parthenon Marbles issue

[26] Films directed by Greek women to be screened at Washington festival

[27] Sides continue negotiations

[28] Talks' venue moved, as anthrax ruled out

[29] President Clerides says mistakes could jeopardize EU accession

[30] De Soto meets Turkish officials

[31] CoE Secretary-General says UN plan presents window of opportunity

[01] Simitis speaks with Berlusconi, Blair, ahead of their talks with Bush

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, referring to Simitis' discussions with British premier Tony Blair and Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, noted the Greek EU presidency's constant efforts for forging a common EU position endorsing a peaceful settlement of the Iraq issue.

Berlusconi is due to meet with Bush on Thursday, while Blair is scheduled for talks with Bush at Camp David on Friday.

Protopapas also denied that the possibility of convening an emergency EU summit was being discussed at the present stage.

Asked by the press on the possibility of a Simitis-Bush meeting, Protopapas said such a thought "is completely logical", but added there was "nothing to announce" in that respect.

[02] FM discusses Iraq, Cyprus, Greek-Turkish affairs at press conference in Athens

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Initially, Papandreou outlined the priorities of the Greek EU presidency, stressing the goal of completing the EU enlargement, the promotion of the basic principles and values of Europe, the promotion of the Western Balkans' European prospects and the speeding up of the accession negotiations of Bulgaria and Romania, as well as the support of Turkey ''to enable it to initiate accession negotiations as soon as possible''.

The foreign minister also spoke at length on relations between the EU and the United States, stressing the need for a ''serious and substantial dialogue at all levels''.

Speaking specifically of Iraq, he said that Europe and the U.S. have common aims, such as the implementation of UN resolution 1441, while recognizing that there is differentiation in the approach toward the implementation of this target.

''There is hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis,'' he said about Iraq, calling the EU common stance on the issue - recently adopted - significant.

As for the work of the UN inspectors in the Middle East country, he called it ''a specific project and not a general one," while he called ''very useful'' the announcement by U.S. President George W. Bush that the U.S. will submit to the UN inspectors specific evidence that concern Iraq's actions, ''so as to confront the problem in an objective way''.

''We do not have evidence linking al Qaida to Iraq,'' he said, adding, however, that no EU member-state accepts the existence of weapons of mass destruction.

Papandreou also announced that the Greek EU presidency believes that the possibility of a peaceful settlement exists and so initiatives will be undertaken with visits to Turkey and the Middle East countries.

Speaking of the possibility of a freeze in developments on the Cyprus problem due to the crisis in Iraq, Papandreou said that this is all the more reason to ''resolve it even earlier'', since such a solution would contribute to the stability of the region, as well as the European integration of the region.

''The resolution of the Cyprus issue will further strengthen the course of Turkey to the European Union, which (Turkey) becomes even more important due to the crisis in Iraq,'' Papandreou stressed, adding that ''we can resolve the Cyprus issue. We are very close''.

Commenting on a report by a Cypriot newspaper, which noted that the U.S. would wish that a Greek-Turkish agreement is promoted as part of the Annan plan's security arrangement, Papandreou said that this part of the plan is very significant, adding, however, that ''to a degree it has its (the proposal) autonomy within the framework of the Annan plan. We have a great opportunity to escape from preconceptions and stereo-types''.

Papandreou, speaking of Turkey's argument, however, that the Cyprus issue ''is of the highest importance concerning security'', said ''I wonder what they mean. Which is the threat that Cyprus can pose, when the Annan plan refers to demilitarization and to specific prescriptions for the security of both sides."

''Concerning the Cyprus issue, both Greece and Turkey have made mistakes. Erdogan has said so, we have said so. Let's leave Cyprus free. We must be supporters not custodians,'' Papandreou said.

The Greek minister also clarified that his visit to Ankara on Thursday is not a bilateral one, rather it is one of the EU troika, adding, however, that discussions will include the Cyprus issue.

He stressed that the visit would be a historic opportunity for the promotion of Turkey's European course, adding that the Greek EU presidency aims at strengthening that course during the next six months with the amended association relationship of Turkey with the EU and also with an amended economic package.

[03] Deputy FM says Greece not in favor of war and war does not solve differences

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Loverdos, who was speaking at a discussion held at the Panteios University on the possible repercussions of a war in Iraq, said Greece does not conceal this, adding that Prime Minister Costas Simitis has explained the position of the European Union's Greek presidency before the European Parliament.

However, he said that Greece supports UN resolution 1441 on control regarding nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, as well as the full implementation of the resolution.

Loverdos, addressing the Iraqi ambassador, said Greece does not like the regime in Baghdad, because it does not like regimes which are not based on democracy, but this does not mean that one should intervene with war.

Iraqi Ambassador Faruk Al Fidyan said on his part that in essence Iraq has been facing a war from 1991 until today, adding that the embargo has had tragic repercussions for his country and has cost the lives of small children whose number is approaching 1,750,000.

Fidyan, focusing on the issue of oil, said Iraq is currently in second place regarding oil deposits, while in five years it will be the leading country in the world.

He said that in the event of war the people of Iraq will resist vigorously and sounded the alarm that after Iraq the United States might turn against Iran and even Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador further said that Iraq has cooperated with the UN arms inspectors and that 440 visits have taken place in two months and they have succeeded in finding nothing.

He also warned of the risk of an increase in oil prices for the EU in the event these oil deposits come under the complete control of the United States.

Fidyan also stressed that Iraq is not a poor country and for this reason, and also due to the oil deposits, it has been the target of the imperialists from the past.

[04] EU's common position on Iraq 'a message of peace for all', Athens says

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

According to the spokesman, conditions and margins for a peaceful way out of the crisis still existed. ''We are currently going through a delicate phase and Europe must have a common stance regarding Iraq's disarmament,'' Protopapas added.

He was responding to questions regarding the address made by United States President George Bush to the American people, in which Bush declared America's readiness to go to war against Iraq if the country failed to disarm promptly.

[05] 32 Eurodeputies to depart for Baghdad on Sunday, 3 Greeks among them

BRUSSELS 30/01/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

Three Greek Eurodeputies will participate in the delegation, which includes deputies from 5 different Europarliament groups.

The Greek Eurodeputies that will participate in the initiative are Alekos Alavanos of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), Myrsini Zorba of ruling PASOK party and Stratis Korakas of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

[06] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly president expresses hope Iraq war will be averted

STRASBOURG 30/01/2003 (ANA/M. Psyllos)

In an exclusive interview to the ANA, on the sidelines of the sessions of the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, Schieder stressed that pressure must be exerted for there to be a peaceful settlement of the crisis and underlined the need for more time to be given to the UN inspectors to complete their mission in Iraq.

He expressed the hope that war was not imminent and that pressure being exerted on Baghdad to cooperate will bring about positive results. ''We must try, we are obliged to still try for there to be a peaceful solution, we must exert pressure on Iraq to give all the data to the UN inspectors, to allow them to check all the installations,'' Schieder said.

Asked to comment on US President George W. Bush's opinion during his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night that Washington can take military action in Iraq even alone, Schieder said:''In my opinion this does not conform with international law as only the Security Council can decide. It must be made clear in all directions that if the undertaking of military action is finally deemed necessary, this can be done only on the basis of a clear mandate of the UN Security Council. And until that moment every possible effort must be made for the peaceful solution to the crisis.''

Asked whether he shared the optimism of Council of Europe Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer who on Tuesday said he was optimistic that a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus would be achieved, Schieder said that he got the impression from the talks he had in Strasbourg with Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and with other Turkish officials that there was still hope that the leaders of the two communities will finally find a common line, a mutually acceptable solution by February 28. ''I do not know if it is the big chance for the settlement of the problem, but it is certainly a chance for the two sides to find at the end of the procedure a solution through the referendums.''

Schieder said the settlement of the Cyprus problem ''will contribute to the further improvement of relations between Greece and Turkey, but also to the reduction of tension in the region which is one of the most explosive zones of Europe.''

Asked on the Greek EU presidency's possibilities, Schieder said that first indications "arm us with the hope that many things will happen during the Greek EU presidency".

[07] Greek and Hungarian PMs discuss Hungary's EU accession and bilateral relations

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

The Hungarian prime minister called on the Greek EU presidency to examine the issue of restrictions being imposed by the EU, over a long period following accession, on the free movement of Hungarian working people.

Simitis said the presidency will examine Hungary's claims, while in the case of Greece the decision on whether this transitional period is implemented will be taken by April.

The Greek prime minister said Greece and Hungary agree on the shaping of a new Europe, supporting a strong Commission and strong bodies in the EU for the application of common policies.

Budapest, in its part, called for its full participation in the Constitutional Assembly of Europe and the agreement to be reached there should also reflect its own views.

Medghessy said the Greek presidency's priorities coincide with Hungary's intentions and referred to issues concerning immigration as both countries have equally long borders.

Athens and Budapest agreed to create a cooperation committee to be activated in the economic sector in the Middle East and the Balkans.

Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis and the Hungarian deputy interior minister signed a readmission agreement for people staying illegally in one of the two countries.

Simitis confirmed that he will visit Hungary, while the signing of the accession treaty for the new member-states to join the EU will not take place at the Acropolis but in the renovated Attalos arcade.

Responding to a questioner on whether he will visit the United States, he said there is a scheduled visit in June, but this does not mean that there is no possibility of another visit.

[08] FM to visit Ankara on Thursday as part of EU troika

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou, along with EU high commissioner for foreign and security policy Javier Solana and European Commissioner for enlargement issues Guenter Verheugen, will hold meetings with the leadership of the country to discuss Turkey's amended association relationship with the EU, which will be tabled by the European Commission in February.

They will also discuss the latest developments in the front of political and legislative reforms in Turkey and the course for Ankara's achievement of the Copenhagen political criteria for accession to the EU.

The Cyprus issue and outstanding border differences will also be on the agenda, along with international issues including conditions in the Middle East, Iraq, the Western Balkans and Afghanistan.

Papandreou will also hold bilateral talks with the Turkish leadership.

[09] Danish FM: Greek EU presidency expected to lead with a steady hand

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

In an exclusive interview to eu2003.gr, Moller said ''the coming time will be crucial in the history of the Union by all standards. We have to harvest the benefits and face the challenges of the EU's biggest enlargement, while continuing our economic and institutional reform''.

''The enlarged EU must further strengthen its relations with Russia and the new neighbors to the east'', he said in response to questions.

Asked about what he thought the most sensitive issues in EU-US relations were, Moller said ''Europe's key bilateral relation-ship is with the United States.... Whenever the EU and US join forces we can move things forward... The main challenge will be to continue to underline the importance of Europe and the US working together rather than in competition. The Union must also continue to argue that the US serves best its own interests as well as the interests of the international community by working within a reinforced multilateral framework''.

Concerning progress with the Convention, Moller said ''Until now we have seen good progress in the work of the Convention. The debates are characterized by great commitment and high quality''.

Responding to a question regarding his expectations from the Greek presidency, the Danish foreign minister said ''The Greek presidency is expected to lead the European Union wisely and with a steady hand at a juncture where the European Union is faced with political and economic challenges - externally and internally. Such an approach will undoubtedly help the Greek presidency in breaking new ground and securing significant results at the summits in Brussels and Thessaloniki - results we all need in order to meet the fair demands of our citizens''.

[10] Ambassador Savvaides outlines priorities of Greek EU presidency

WASHINGTON, 30/01/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Savvaides, who noted that Greece had assumed the EU presidency for the fourth time since joining the union in 1981, stressed the importance of the EU-US summit meeting which is scheduled to be held in Washington on June 25 with the participation of President George W. Bush, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and European Commission President Romano Prodi.

The ambassador also referred to the importance which the Greek EU presidency gives for a Middle East peace settlement, which is also manifested by Foreign Minister George Papandreou's forthcoming visit to five countries of the Middle East.

On Iraq, Savvaides referred to the initiatives of the Greek EU presidency for a diplomatic solution to the problem and the reaching of a common EU stance.

[11] PM and interior minister discuss corruption and deputies' incompatibility

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Later, Skandalidis conveyed to reporters Simitis' statement on incompatibility that ''we cannot play with the constitution.''

The interior minister, referring to the issue of incompatibility, said ''deputies voted against themselves yesterday'' since, in voting against the bill produced in Parliament, absolute incompatibility will prevail by which an arrangement of the pensioning issue or of deputies' social security rights will not be anticipated.

This is so because according to the constitution as of January 1, 2003, incompatibility is in effect for whatever professional activity by a deputy.

Skandalidis made it clear that he does not intend to ''open windows for the violation of constitutional order, regardless of whether Parliament will vote in favor or vote against the bill.''

He also briefed Simitis on the issue of handling corruption and stated that on Thursday he will be announcing public administration’s inspectors, whose names will be decided by the government following a proposal by Public Administration General Inspector Constantine Dafermos.

[12] CoE Assembly adopts Greek member's report on EU's future

STRASBOURG 30/01/2003 (ANA - M. Psyllos)

The report was passed by 125 deputies, with three opposed and two abstentions.

It urges the EU to incorporate the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights in the new EU Constitution in order to make them legally binding.

Presenting his report, Pangalos said it basically hinged on three proposals: that the EU accede to the European Convention on Human Rights as a legal entity; that the text of the Convention be incorporated as a part of the EU Constitution so that the articles on human rights acquired the force of mandatory law; and that the Constitution determining the future form of Europe include texts that dealing with the protection of human and political rights and freedoms, political cooperation beyond national borders, the protection of individuals from the automatic processing of personal information, protection of minorities, etc.

''This report seeks to disprove the view that the CoE is just a debating club caught up in theoretical discussions,'' Pangalos said as he completed his presentation.

The Greek deputy's report was positively received by all political groups within the CoE, which stressed that it reinforced the organic relationship between the CoE and the EU.

[13] EU expresses concern over N. Korea's withdrawal from nuclear weapons treaty

BRUSSELS 30/01/2003 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Speaking to the plenum of the Europarliament, Yiannitsis stressed that the international community should expend every effort not only to stop any action that would make the Korean peninsula a region of nuclear weapons, but also to secure the continuation of the normal induction of N. Korea to the international community.

The minister also added that the EU can not accept the challenging of the international framework that was set up to control the non-proliferation of the nuclear weapons, stressing that the operation of nuclear programs is a significant problem for the maintenance of global peace and the fragile balance of the environment.

[14] Greek EU presidency issues declaration on transdnistrian conflict in Moldova

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

''The EU recalls its declaration of December 4, 2002, regarding the Transdnistrian conflict in Moldova,'' it said, adding that ''in view of the upcoming round of negotiations on the Transdnistrian conflict in Moldova, the EU looks forward to significant progress in finding a solution to this conflict, in full conformity with the territorial integrity of the Moldovan State.''

''The EU recalls its readiness to consider measures contributing to the fulfillment of this aim,'' the statement concluded.

[15] Parliament passes bill for communications privacy authority

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Deputy Transport Minister Manolis Stratakis made a number of changes suggested by MPs, while the debate also covered concerns about the efficiency of independent administrative authorities in general.

Following the amendments brought to the bill, it will now be comprised of seven members instead of the five envisaged originally, while future presidential decrees issued in response to court orders that lift telecommunications privacy and allow legal monitoring of communications will also provide for the destruction of the products of this legal surveillance.

In addition, the minister also accepted an amendment under which the authority's annual report will also be submitted to the leaders of the parties represented in the European Parliament.

He refused an amendment by a ruling PASOK MP that named specific penalties for members of the Authority that broke the rules of confidentiality regarding the release of personal information about individuals.

[16] Finmin says Iraq war will not permanently affect economies

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

With regard to the Greek economy, however, Christodoulakis said it was not unassailable and the uncertain geopolitical climate had led to greater wariness in certain economic transactions, such as investments.

The minister claimed that the target of achieving a 3.8 percent rate of growth in 2003 would not be affected, however, since Greek economic growth was large based on internal factors and the target was absolutely realistic.

He also stressed that the government's policy for revenue, due to be finalized in the coming week during a meeting with the civil servants' union ADEDY, would not be affected by a war in Iraq.

Christodoulakis admitted, however, that both he and his European counterparts were concerned about the effect of a war on international oil prices. He said the issue would be discussed within European bodies next week and once again warned that a rise in oil prices to 40 dollars per barrel for a period of few weeks - as in the Gulf War at the start of the 1990s - could not be ruled out.

Oil prices currently range at around 32 dollars per barrel.

[17] No danger of losing EU funds, Christodoulakis says

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis to review progress in the program, Mr Christodoulakis said that implementation of projects included in a Third CSF was a big priority of the government's economic policy because it promoted growth and employment. The Greek minister stressed that progress of projects was good and noted that "there is no danger of losing funds".

Mr Christodoulakis added that the government would complete by March a procedure of submitting with the European Commission all data needed to collect funds remaining from a Second Community Support Framework.

The Prime Minister also met with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou.

Mrs. Papandreou stressed that all ministry's programs, funded by a Third Community Support Framework, were progressing smoothly.

Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis told reporters, after meeting with the premier, that funding for non-railway projects was progressing satisfactory and stressed that the government was expecting a final round of talks with the European Commission on funding of a suburban railroad system and other railways projects in the next two or three months.

"We hope that, after talks with EU Commissioner Michel Barnier, we will have a solution to these projects before June," Mr Verelis said.

[18] Greek, Bulgarian development ministers sign cooperation memorandum

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

The two ministers agreed that the specific project contributed to the development of cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria and also corresponded to the implementation of the Common European Energy Policy on a regional level.

The Bulgarian minister invited Tsohatzopoulos to visit Sofia in the near future for further talks on the development of cooperation between the two countries.

[19] Tourism to Greece down 1.0 pct in 2002

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

''This was a successful year for tourism,'' the minister told a news conference.

At the same time, charter flights showed a 1.5 percent decline, although arrivals in tourism-oriented port increased by 8.5 percent, he said.

The National Tourism Council is to meet on February 7 to discuss policy and coordination for the year. The main topic for discussion will be handling the repercussions if war is declared on Iraq, Tsohatzopoulos added.

[20] Agrotica 2003 trade fair opens in Thessaloniki

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

Inaugurating the event was Deputy Agriculture Minister Evangelos Argyris, who outlined priorities of Greece's current presidency of the European Union.

Among the priorities was an interim review of the 15-nation bloc's common agricultural policy, Argyris said.

[21] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows

Athens, 30/01/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.26 percent lower at 1,665.66 points, off the day's lows of 1,648 points, with turnover a low 64.7 million euros.

Traders said the market found some technical support at the 1,650 level but remained pessimistic over the market's short-term prospects.

Sector indices ended mixed. The Base Metals and Holdings suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.98 percent and 0.96 percent, respectively) while the Publication and Retail sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (2.30 percent and 1.40 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.29 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.25 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.42 percent.

Broadly, decliners narrowly led advancers by 147 to 145 with another 65 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 63.0 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: