Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou, Powell discuss Iraqi situation in phone call

[02] Boucher on Greek FM's initiatives, contacts with Powell, Iraq crisis, Cyprus

[03] Papandreou vis-a-vis Iraq: diplomatic efforts have precedence now

[04] World Tourism Organization says Iraqi crisis already felt on tourism sector

[05] Annan plan guarantees no-return to pre-1974 status for Cyprus, Grossman says

[06] PM to meet visiting Iranian official this week

[07] FYROM FM cites expectations from Greek EU presidency

[08] Alternate FM meets Lithuanian deputy FM

[09] Greek justice minister meets with German counterpart in Berlin

[10] Anti-terrorist squad sources see more arrests linked to ELA

[11] Justices for upcoming 'N17' trials chosen

[12] Dozens of communist, leftist parties sign text against possible Iraq war

[13] Synaspismos leader meets with Int'l Office for Peace leader in Athens

[14] Greek labor minister addresses globalization conference

[15] Greece talks to EU’s Barnier about island problems

[16] Greek Chambers reject Tourism Chamber plan

[17] PricewaterhouseCoopers publishes report on Greek business

[18] Intracom in 5.7 mln euros contract in China

[19] Intrasoft Intl in EU contract with Siemens, Getronics

[20] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

[21] Gov't, ATHOC consider how to 'bridge' 750-million-euro gap

[22] Gov't: Greece has protested over 'Prestige' skipper's incarceration

[23] Thessaloniki Jews call for establishment of national anniversary for holocaust

[24] Peace talks focus on territory

[25] UN says leaders should be left to quietly continue negotiations

[26] Hannay says determination, not optimism required for Cyprus

[27] Britain pledges to raise missing persons' issue with Turkey

[01] Papandreou, Powell discuss Iraqi situation in phone call

AMMAN 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou arrived in Amman, Jordan late Sunday after beginning his Mideast itinerary with a visit and official talks in Syria.

Stressing that the Greek presidency is in close contact with Washington, he added that “even though they do not consider it likely, the Americans would welcome a change of stance on the part of Saddam Hussein and his compliance with the UN’s resolutions”.

The Greek foreign minister also said that, based on his recent round of contacts, regional leaders believe Saddam Hussein has not realized the gravity of the situation, before saying that if the Iraqi leader understands this then “margins for compliance” and a “serious possibility of avoiding war” exist.

[02] Boucher on Greek FM's initiatives, contacts with Powell, Iraq crisis, Cyprus

WASHINGTON 04/02/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

At his regular press briefing, Boucher also referred to the Cyprus issue, noting that February 28 is the deadline for a political settlement to be reached to the protracted problem.

The spokesman said that Powell and Papandreou in telephone conversations they had discussed the Greek foreign minister's tour of Middle East countries, the situation between Israelis and Palestinians and naturally the Iraq crisis.

''I am not in a position to give more details,'' Boucher said, noting that Powell and Papandreou last spoke over the phone on Saturday.

The spokesman did not comment on the decision by Greek foreign minister and EU Council of Ministers president Papandreou to undertake the initiative to tour countries of the region, restricting himself in stating that everyone is aware of the importance of the Iraq abiding with the UN resolutions and that ''many are making efforts to make this clear to the Iraqi leader.''

''We believe that Iraq must hear these pleas, and listen to the people of the region, Europe as well as us, who say that Iraq has a last chance to settle the issue in a peaceful way and to disarm peacefully. But the window is closing.''

Asked to comment on Papandreou's pending visit to North Korea, the State Department spokesman said that the United States was coordinating its moves with the European Union and other countries and called on North Korea to understand that it must halt its nuclear arms production program.

On the Cyprus issue, Boucher said that the timeframe left until February 28 presents a clear opportunity for a settlement and called on the interested parties to take advantage of it, concluding that February 28 is a deadline by which the efforts must be concluded.

Finally, Boucher noted that Washington was in constant touch and cooperating with the Turkish government with regard to the use of Turkish territory by U.S. forces, at the same time being aware of the constitutional procedure foreseen and which includes the briefing of the country's parliament.

[03] Papandreou vis-a-vis Iraq: diplomatic efforts have precedence now

AMMAN 04/02/2003 (ANA - F. Karaviti)

''If the Iraqi leader complies, then we will be able to talk about a diplomatic success'', Papandreou told reporters after a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Marwan Muasher.

The Greek foreign minister arrived on Monday in Jordan, the second stop of a crucial tour of the Middle East region.

Papandreou said that a plan was being developed for countering the repercussions of a prospective war, stressing nevertheless that ''diplomatic efforts have precedence for now''.

With regard to the Palestinian issue, the Greek foreign minister pointed to the need for beginning a dialogue on the implementation of a ''road map'', which would lead to two independent and peaceful States by 2005.

On his part, Muasher attempted to link the preparation of the ''road map'' with the prospective war in Iraq, and stressed the need for immediate negotiations on the Mideast problem.

''There cannot be a war in Iraq while the implementation of the ''road map'' is not advancing'', Muasher said, adding ''we cannot talk about a war without any consequences''.

Referring to the repercussions of a possible war in Iraq on the wider region and more specifically on Jordan, Muasher said that Amman did not have the capability to receive any refugees and that it would have to rely on external assistance for that. He also said that Iraq should retain its borders and its sovereignty even after a prospect war.

Papandreou was also received by King Abdullah II.

Later on Monday, the Greek foreign minister will meet with Jordanian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro, before he departs for Beirut where he will wrap up the first part of his Mideast tour.

EU will try to allay economic impact of any war on Iraq

All European Union member states should constantly try to improve their pension systems, visiting EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes stated in Athens on Monday following a meeting with Greece’s National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis. Solbes was replying to a question as to whether Greece should push ahead with fresh social security changes.

After a meeting with Christodoulakis, which focused on the European economy, Solbes said that the possibility of a war on Iraq harbored greater risk for European economic growth.

However, he said he was optimistic about a possible acceleration in growth in the second half of 2003.

The Commissioner acknowledged that fears of war were conducive to market uncertainty, which in turn had an adverse impact on the economy. The only solution was to avert a war on Iraq, Solbes said, adding that the European Commission would try to deal with any economic repercussions stemming from hostilities.

Referring to a dissenting position expressed by the “group of eight” countries, which in an open letter distanced themselves from a common EU foreign ministers' stance against war on Iraq, Solbes emphasized that “one of the difficulties in the European structure is that we are not always consistent with respect to decisions taken in Brussels and what happens afterwards”; and said he was surprised by the move by the “eight” agreeing to take a different view and publicizing it.

As regards the Greek economy, Solbes described it as relatively satisfactory. He noted, however, that it faced some long- and short-term troubles, such as inflation and an ageing population.

Christodoulakis noted that basic forecasts on Europe’s economy in 2003 remained unchanged, even though there were higher risks as a result of the possible war on Iraq.

[04] World Tourism Organization says Iraqi crisis already felt on tourism sector

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Global tourism rose 3.0 percent last year despite an uncertain economic environment, World Tourism Organization said, with some countries (Tunisia, Morocco etc) recording a big fall in tourist arrivals, while others (Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria) big increases.

Greek tourism, based on tourist arrivals, fell 1.0 percent in 2002, according to preliminary figures released by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos recently.

Mr Frangialli noted that world tourism already has been affected by the prospect of a war in Iraq, leading to a decline of reservations and noted that this development would lead several tour operators to press hoteliers for lower prices during the new tourist season (a prospect already feared by Greek tourist businessmen).

WTO's secretary-general stressed that Greek tourism fared satisfactorily last year (the country was not particularly affected by an international economic slowdown) and predicted that Greek tourism would benefit significantly from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

[05] Annan plan guarantees no-return to pre-1974 status for Cyprus, Grossman says

ISTANBUL 04/02/2003 (ANA)

He stressed that the United States will not support a solution that would allow for a return to the ante-invasion status quo that existed before 1974.

Responding to those in Turkey and the northern occupied part of Cyprus, that criticized the Annan plan, the American official said that Cyprus is the doorway to the European Union for Turkey, adding that ''this is the real strategic importance of Cyprus'' and called all sides to understand the efforts for the finding of a solution in the framework of the Annan plan.

Speaking to a daily newspaper here, Grossman said that ''Feb. 28 is the final date that the UN secretary general set. When I hear people saying that there is time left (to resolve the problem) after Feb. 28 I begin to be concerned.''

''We should not lose energy with this. We should use up all energy to agree (on issues) until that date, instead of thinking for what might transpire after Feb. 28,'' Grossman said.

Called upon to comment on Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash's statements that there is enough time until Feb. 28 he said ''I am not surprised that those that negotiate have such negotiating stances''.

''In my opinion, over the past few years, the number of Turks that have understood the importance of Europe has increased. They asked for more democracy, they asked for the free market economy, they asked to come closer to the European Union. The Cyprus issue is a part of all those,'' Grossman concluded.

[06] PM to meet visiting Iranian official this week

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Outlining the prime minister's planned program for the rest of the week, Protopapas said that Simitis met PASOK MEP spokesman George Katiforis on Monday morning and afterwards chaired a meeting on the Olympic Games attended by the head of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris.

On Tuesday at 10:00, the premier will meet Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, followed by a meeting with the head of ATHOC at noon. On Tuesday evening, the prime minister will address Parliament in an off-the-agenda debate.

On Wednesday morning, the premier will have successive meetings with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Health Minister Costas Stefanis and Agriculture Minister George Drys on implementing the 3rd Community Support Framework. Also present at these meetings will be Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pahtas, who are responsible for handling 3rd CSF funds.

Following his meeting at 13:00 with a visiting Iranian official, Simitis will then meet PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis at 13:30.

On Thursday at 10:00, the prime minister will chair the customary cabinet meeting, which this week will discuss national defense.

On Friday morning, Simitis will meet Agriculture Minister George Drys, followed by a meeting on upgrading public health at 11:30 with the health minister, Deputy Health minister Ektoras Nasiokas, Labor and Social Security Minister Dimitris Reppas, Deputy Labor Minister Rovertos Spyropoulos and IKA governor Miltiades Nektarios.

Finally, on Friday at 13:30, Simitis will meet Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni.

[07] FYROM FM cites expectations from Greek EU presidency

SKOPJE 04/02/2003 (ANA – N. Frangopoulou)

FYROM FM Ilinka Mitreva said the entire western Balkan region – Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, FYROM and Yugoslavia -- expects a “clear vision” for promoting its countries’ EU prospects during the EU Summit in Thessaloniki next June.

Meanwhile, regarding the all-important issue of regional security, she said:

“Our efforts for effectively combating organized crime and the smuggling of weapons, drugs and people are jointly taken. We share the need for dynamic economic cooperation.

“Additionally, we are expecting a great deal from the Greek plan for the economic reconstruction of the Balkans, which foresees the allocation of 74 million euros in various programs for ‘Macedonia’,” she added, using a name at the heart of the only remaining difference between Athens and Skopje.

Athens has been at odds with FYROM for the past decade over the issue of the land-locked Balkan state's name, insisting that the word ''Macedonia'' should not be included in the name of the former Yugoslav republic, as it implies expansionist designs against Greece’s own large northern province of Macedonia as well as being a historical misrepresentation.

However, relations between Greece and FYROM have dramatically improved since the two countries signed an interim agreement in New York under the UN’s auspices more than seven years ago. Currently, on the 'name issue' ranks as the only major difference separating Athens and Skopje. Under the terms of the agreement, Greece and FYROM are responsible for commencing and continuing negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution for the “name issue”.

In other comments, Mitreva said Skopje would also like to see a handful of other moves by Greece, namely, ratification by the Greek parliament of a EU-FYROM association and stability accord; liberalization of Athens’ visa requirements for FYROM nationals, as well as the opening of a FYROM consulate in Thessaloniki and a Greek consulate in Bitola (Monastiri), southern FYROM.

Mitreva’s comments were carried in the Skopje daily “Dnevnik”.

[08] Alternate FM meets Lithuanian deputy FM

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The two men also discussed in detail the outstanding issues of the enlargement and the implementation of the Kaliningrad agreement.

Yiannitsis and Martikonis also discussed the possible convening of the Union's foreign ministers in light of the crisis in Iraq, as well as the reasoning behind an organized presence of the Union in the international scene.

In addition, the two ministers focused on the participation of the 10 new member-states in discussions involving competitiveness, employment and sustainable development.

Their agenda also included the planned visit of Prime Minister Costas Simitis to Lithuania in May.

[09] Greek justice minister meets with German counterpart in Berlin

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The meeting was held within the context of successive contacts that Petsalnikos is to have with his European Union counterparts in his capacity as president of the EU justice ministers' council.

In his talks with Zypries, the Greek minister outlined the priorities of the Greek presidency placing special emphasis on the need for a balance between citizens' security and safe-guarding their individual rights, the announcement said.

Zypries agreed with Petsalnikos that ''more security did not mean less freedom''.

Petsalnikos outlined a number of Greek presidency initiatives for cooperation between EU judicial systems and said that Athens would particularly emphasize the completion of frame-work-agreements for the recognition of monetary fines, establishing minimum provisions for crimes and penalties related to drug trafficking and on fighting racism and xenophobia.

He also referred to a Greek initiative for establishing minimum safety rules for the protection of suspects and defendants, an issue to be discussed at the informal justice and interior ministers' council in Veria, northern Greece on March 28 and 29.

The German minister pledged support for the Greek presidency's initiatives and priorities, which she described as very interesting.

Concluding, both ministers confirmed their shared desire that there be a uniform stance within the EU on issues that concerned the Union.

The Greek justice minister will meet on February 11 with French justice minister Dominique Perben in Paris, on February 13 with Italian justice minister Roberto Castelli in Rome and on February 17 with Swedish justice minister Thomas Bodstrom in Stockholm.

[10] Anti-terrorist squad sources see more arrests linked to ELA

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Sources within the police said the next two arrests would concern ELA's ideologue, known by the pseudonym 'Andrew' and believed to be the group's contact with 'Carlos the Jackal', and another man known as 'Nikolas' who is believed to have organized a hit using a remote control device against the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Psychico in 1983 and an earlier attack on a US base in Athens in 1970.

Meanwhile, four people brought in for questioning on Sunday night have been released, while the three people arrested as suspected members of ELA were led before Appeals Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos, the same justice handling the November 17 case, under tight security on Monday.

These were Aggeletos Kanas, 52, currently serving as a Community president on the island of Kimolos, Costas Agapiou, 56, and Irene Athanasaki, 49. All three asked for a three-day extension to respond to the charges made against them and are due to appear before Zervobeakos again on Wednesday.

For the time being, all three vehemently deny any connection to ELA, despite claims by the authorities that there is iron-clad evidence against them, such as fingerprints found on old proclamations and on debris from old explosive devices.

Scant information is available regarding an investigation into an apartment on 51 Patmos Street in Athens, which according to some sources may have served as an ELA safe house and is virtually across the road from a 'November 17' safe house found on the same street. The same sources said police were also investigating the Kolonos and Pagrati areas.

The sources said that police were pinning their hopes on the testimony of an apartment owner, who apparently recognized one of the three suspects as a tenant.

In addition to the above, the terror group is believed to have two more members: a woman known as 'Lena' who was involved with one of the members and may have participated in bomb attacks by ELA and a man known as ''Mihalis'' who was mainly active in Thessaloniki.

Earlier on Monday, judicial sources revealed that the authorities intended to prosecute suspected ELA members as operatives of an organization that was still active.

They said they were able to do this under the new law on dealing with organized crime passed in 2000 because ELA had at no time issued a proclamation announcing it was breaking up.

This allowed public prosecutors to bring higher-level criminal charges against its suspected members, the sources explained.

They also said that the evidence against suspected ELA members was not based so much on files of the former East German intelligence agency STASI but on witness accounts that had been cross-checked corroborated by forensics labs and were thus judged to be reliable.

Among these witnesses was the former wife of one of the accused, Aggeletos Kanas, whose claims have been cross-checked against the testimony of other parties well acquainted with the individuals involved.

According to one witness account said to be included in the case file, Kanas had rented an apartment in Athens under an assumed name that he intended to use as an ELA safe house.

Authorities to treat ELA as still active, sources say: Authorities intended to charge suspected members of the terrorist group ELA (Revolutionary People's Struggle) as operatives of an organization that was still active, judicial sources revealed on Monday.

The fact that ELA had at no time issued a proclamation that it was breaking up allowed public prosecutors to bring higher-level criminal charges against its suspected members, based on the law for combatting organized crime passed in 2000, the sources explained.

They also said that the evidence against suspected ELA members was not based chiefly on files of the former East German intelligence agency STASI but on witness accounts that had been corroborated by forensics labs and were thus judged to be reliable.

Among these witnesses was the former wife of one of the accused, Kimolos Community presidency Aggeletos Kanas, whose claims have been cross-checked against the testimony of other parties well acquainted with the individuals involved and confirmed.

According to one witness account said to be included in the case file, meanwhile, Kanas had rented an apartment in Athens under an assumed name that he intended to use as an ELA safe house.

[11] Justices for upcoming 'N17' trials chosen

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Appeals court president Mihalis Margaritis was selected as the presiding judge of the three-member panel, with Christos Georgatopoulos chosen as his substitute.

The other two members of the panel were identified as justices Nikolaos Zairis and Vassilis Kourkakis, whereas Christos Lambrou was chosen as the state’s public prosecutor, with Vassilis Makris as his substitute.

[12] Dozens of communist, leftist parties sign text against possible Iraq war

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The joint communique stressed that a possible attack against Iraq will destabilize the entire region and will have devastating effects for humanity, besides posing a huge threat to world peace and international law, and finally, creating a precedent for other such offensive military actions.

Cyprus' AKEL party, Britain's Communist Party and Turkey's Communist party were some of the notable signatories of the text.

[13] Synaspismos leader meets with Int'l Office for Peace leader in Athens

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Archer expressed his satisfaction for the anti-war climate in Greece, as well as internationally and his certainty that the mobilizations planned for Feb. 15 will be successful.

He also announced that the International Conference for Peace will take place in Athens in October and its agenda will include the Olympic Truce, the role of the United Nations and human security.

On his part, Constantopoulos said that Synaspismos will participate with all its forces to the protest rally of Feb. 15 and called the Greek people to participate en mass, to express its opposition to the war.

[14] Greek labor minister addresses globalization conference

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The full text of the statement is as follows:

''The President of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the European Union, Mr. Dimitris Reppas, spoke today, in Brussels, within the context of the congress organized by the European Union and the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization about the framework of global economy: dangers and opportunities.

''The President of Finland and Coordinator of the International Committee for the Social Dimension of Globalization, Ms. Targia Hallooneen, was present when Mr. Reppas announced his speech. Mr. Reppas underlined that the increasing gap between poor and rich, the destruction of the environment as a result of uncontrolled, nonstop development, the culture conflicts and the continuing influx of immigrants are issues that demand solutions both at the regional and the international level. These new issues can only be tackled by a new global democratic governance, where tools and strategies at the international level are connected and combined with, national, regional and local policies. We must get the message across to the citizens that the process of globalization is not necessarily good or bad.

''Concerning the Global Economy, he underlined that it must become sustainable both in a social and environmental sense.

Such a thing presupposes, according to the President of Ministers of Labor of the European Union, the following elements:

1. A series of structural changes to factors and to organizations that influence and formulate the Global Economy and Trade.

2. The social and environmental dimension must be placed at the center of the financial and developmental model.

3. Markets need a framework of regulations and controls in order to emphasize the priority of political decisions and the participation of social partners and civil society.

4. The development and distribution of public goods and services must be guaranteed especially for citizens that face poverty and social exclusion. Markets alone cannot guarantee covering their basic needs.

5. The distribution of political and democratic obligations must be safe guarded at all levels, starting from the local, to the regional and to the international level.

6. Competition among multi-national companies must not bear a negative influence either to the citizens (as workers or as consumers) or to the environment.

''Mr. Reppas, proposed that some regulations for the poorest countries of the world, should be accomplished the for the relief of their accumulated debts and the limitation of uncontrolled financial profits. However, he noted that that: every country, separately, must develop some policies that will limit the negative consequences of the Globalization. He underlined four elements, like:

1. The establishment of a sustainable Welfare State that guarantees solidarity and social cohesion

2. The promotion of structural policies that allow economic growth and guarantee sustainable models of development

3. The orientation of all development towards the new fields of Information Society, educational and training system

4. The strengthening of Social Dialogue and the support of the civil society for the participation of all citizens in order to promote tolerance and respect of multi –cultural expression.

''As far as the role that Europe must play, Mr. Dimitris Reppas underlined that the Presidency of the European Union poses as its first objection the vision of a Europe that conquers the forefront because it builds on its comparative advantage, the human potential, and because it invests on social Cohesion. This is the objective of the Lisbon Strategy that we have to deliver in order to create a Europe that is primarily a community of common values, especially now during the enlargement process.

''The European Presidency marks out the three basic parameters that constitute the bets for safeguarding the Social Europe, as Mr. Reppas, underlined, which are the following ones:

A. The review of the European Employment Strategy, five years after its creation in Luxembourg, in 1997.The review takes into account the new challenges faced by the Union during its enlargement and contributes to the development of effective policies for the accomplishment of the Lisbon targets by the member states. (Employment: 70% until 2010, 60% for the women and 50% for the older worker).

The new Strategy has to focus on the three priorities of the Lisbon Strategy: more jobs, quality and productivity at work, labor markets that promote social inclusion and combat discriminations.

The changes of labor and society models which make labor more flexible, constitute some of the consequences of the globalization in our continent. We are called upon to find the balance between flexibility and security at work, with the aid of new policies and tools, to legalize undeclared work, to make work more attractive for the employees and to become more effective in implementing policies for the inclusion of immigrants in the labor market.

B. The modernization of Social Protection Policies in order to adopt the Single Proceeding for the Social Protection and Social Cohesion Policies within the European Union. The main goal is the simplification and streamlining of all processes: social inclusion, pensions, health and the long-term welfare of the elderly based on the open method of coordination and on the principle of subsidiarity.

The European Social Model, despite its variations from country to country, is the comparative advantage for the development of the European Union. Even though social protection is a national responsibility, the on-going European processes have emphasized the importance and the value added of the approach at a European level. ''The connection and the coordination of these processes will underline the social dimension of the European Union. In this way social protection gains equal value and footing with the economic financial and employment policies of the union.

C. The active and substantial participation of the Social partners and of civil society, Partners and citizens must participate in all policies that concern them, since we cannot attain common goals without them.

''Europe must become an example to imitate and to send its own message to the congress of Porto Alegre and to the forum of Davos. Real progress will come only with substantial participation of citizens for the defense of their collective rights and with the reinforcement of international solidarity.

''This presupposes organization and participation, respect of human rights and the rights of the employees issues, taken in to account in the drafting of the European Constitution. It presupposes above all the rights of all the people, regardless of color, race, gender or social group to live without poverty and exclusion. It presupposes respect for our planet and for its resources that guarantee the continuity of life. It presupposes equality, justice and solidarity.

''Globalization, said Mr. Dimitirs Reppas, must not be identified with an automatic pilot who defines our path. On the contrary, citizens must participate in order to formulate social developments. The Information Society must be democratic. It must operate in the service of Mankind.

[15] Greece talks to EU’s Barnier about island problems

BRUSSELS 04/02/2003 (ANA-G.Zitouniati)

Sifounakis also referred to the inclusion of Aegean islands in EU programs such as “INTEREG” for cross-border cooperation, and the creation of an EU information centre on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesvos.

Part of the ministry of the Aegean’s cooperation with the EU is also the preparation of a study recording problems facing all EU islands and recommending solutions, likely to be presented on a Greek island.

[16] Greek Chambers reject Tourism Chamber plan

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

Mr Kasimatis said that "creating a Tourism Chamber will increase the operation cost of the state engine, strengthen bureaucracy and lead to overlapping of responsibilities and powers". It would also reduce significantly existing Chambers' revenues, particularly those based in tourist regions around the country, Mr Kasimatis said.

KEEE's president instead called for a strengthening of existing chambers.

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos intends to put forward new legislation for the creation of a Greek Chamber of Tourism.

[17] PricewaterhouseCoopers publishes report on Greek business

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The survey, based on the opinions of chief executive officers in Greece's largest companies, also revealed that Stelios Hatziioannou (Easy Jet Group) was the most significant new businessman, followed by Dimitris Daskalopoulos (DELTA Group) and Spyros Theodoropoulos (Chipita Group).

The report by PricewaterhouseCooper, said that Titan Cement was the most successful Greek company, followed by Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.

Greek executives said that Titan Cement was the leader in credibility and transparency among Greek companies, followed by Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling and Viohalco.

Hellenic Telecommunications, Public Power Corporation and National Bank of Greece are the three companies expected to influence more the country's economic and social life in the 5-10 years, the survey said.

[18] Intracom in 5.7 mln euros contract in China

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

A company statement also said that it has signed contracts, worth 22 million euros, to supply telecommunications equipment (subscriber access network) to Russia, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Iceland, Syria, Ecuador and Costa Rica.

Increased export activity is part of Intracom's strategy to expand in the global market of telecommunications products and services.

Intracom's subscriber access network is currently represented in 55 countries around the world.

[19] Intrasoft Intl in EU contract with Siemens, Getronics

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The ITSS project will offer services to a total of 25,000 users (employees and external partners) in the European Commission and will cover all its main buildings in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasburg and Dublin, along with all JRC offices in Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium.

The ITSS project began in November 2002 and has a duration of five years. It will employ more than 200 IT specialists annually.

[20] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

Athens, 04/02/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.36 percent down, at 1,677.52 points, with turnover a low 56.1 million euros.

The Textile, Cement and Holdings sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.01 percent, 1.80 percent and 1.41 percent, respectively), while the Telecommunications (0.42 percent), IT Solutions (0.39 percent) and Retail (0.39 percent sectors scored the biggest percentage gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.41 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.68 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.98 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index dropped 0.51 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 209 to 88 with another 53 issues unchanged.

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