Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't to seek EU aid to cover damage caused by weather

[02] EU FMs expected to again focus on Iraq; Mideast situation

[03] Simitis has telephone contacts with Prodi, Aznar, Berlusconi

[04] Prodi: No delay in states' accession course because of Iraq stance

[05] European socialists stress their insistence on peaceful solution to Iraq problem

[06] Greek-Turkish talks on Cyprus security and guarantees stumble

[07] New Cyprus president says Turkish positions do not allow ground for negotiations

[08] Croatia submits application for EU accession to Simitis

[09] PM Racan signs statement of world personalities in support of the Olympic Truce

[10] UN mediator to hold talks with FYROM government

[11] Greek-German talks focus on EU immigration policy

[12] Yiannitsis to represent PM at S. Korea leader's swearing-in ceremony

[13] State Department updates its Information Sheet on Greece

[14] Greek Merchant marine minister reports on EU agenda

[15] Balkan states need cooperation in energy market

[16] Minister, trade union back single social insurance fund

[17] Everest expands agreement with Hellas Flying Dolphins

[18] IOC's Executive Committee ratifies Olympic Relay Race's program for 2004

[19] Culture minister says Olympic Games timetables under control

[20] Northern border posts set for overhaul before Athens Olympics

[21] President Stephanopoulos attends Ioannina liberation parade

[22] Temporary injunction against alleged 'N17' suspects' assets

[23] Greek armed forces officers awarded medals by Germany

[24] Prison guards suspended in the wake of drugs charges

[25] Greek, French sports ministers discuss joint initiatives

[26] Weston sees crucial time ahead for Cyprus

[27] Diplomacy on Cyprus continues ahead of Annan's visit

[28] British envoy arrives Saturday in support of UN peace effort

[29] Bush pledges to continue efforts for Cyprus settlement

[30] Turkey found guilty of human rights violations in Cyprus

[31] Ireland reiterates support for peace process, accession of Cyprus

[32] Cyprus makes representations to

[01] Gov't to seek EU aid to cover damage caused by weather

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Christodoulakis made the statements after a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to plan the state's response to the latest wave of destruction due to natural phenomena.

Others at the meeting included the ministers for defense, interior, environment and public works, health and agriculture and deputy ministers for the finance, public order and press ministries.

Christodoulakis said the total cost of the damage was estimated at 600 million euros and that the government had decided to immediately pay out funds for repairing damaged roads and accompanying infrastructure, to compensate farmers who had lost their crops and to support flood victims.

Unprecedented levels of rainfall around the country have led to numerous landslides and soil subsidence that have caused extensive damage to roads, buildings and infrastructure, while a cold snap in the north has decimated farm production. Worst hit were the Cyclades islands, one of the main tourist destinations in the country, where homes and cars were literally engulfed in mud and roads destroyed.

Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis said that the same procedure would be followed for compensation to homes and businesses as that followed for the Kifissos River floods.

For the Cyclades islands, the government said it would initiate an emergency action plan to restore basic infrastructure that had been destroyed by torrents and landslides.

The details would be decided on at another emergency meeting between all the ministries involved, so that everything would be ready before the summer, it was announced.

Skandalidis, who is due to fly out to the island group on Sunday, pledged that the interior ministry will make the necessary funds available to regional authorities immediately.

He also congratulated state emergency services, which he said had helped save at least 250 people during the crisis, and said that the level of coordination achieved by the Civil Protection Secretariat had been higher than at any previous time and that the state was fully prepared to deal with further snow expected after the weekend.

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou announced that the armed forces were on standby to help deal with problems that might arise and that a Greek Navy ship would be departing for Rhodes or Kos to carry road-building machinery to the Cyclades island group.

Finally, Agriculture Minister George Drys said that all the damage that occurred up until Thursday had been recorded and that state services would soon be in a position to pay out compensation to individuals.

Regarding Greece's request for help from the EU's natural disasters' fund, Drys said that the request had been made to the EU farm ministers' council on Thursday and that there had been a positive response from EU Farming Commissioner Franz Fischler.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou said her ministry estimated the damage to infra-structure at roughly 120 million euros, without counting the massive damage to the Corinth-Kalamata national highway and that on the island of Evia.

She said she had submitted a complete dossier on all the damage around the country during the meeting.

The meeting also decided that the work of restoring damage on the devastated Cyclades should be handled by the environment ministry under emergency procedures, since local prefectures would be unable to cope. The ministry will be responsible for the contractors that undertake repairs and the machinery required for the work.

She said that 14 engineers, 5 geotechnical experts, two geologists and two specialist road engineers had been sent to the Cyclades to begin compiling estimates of the damage.

[02] EU FMs expected to again focus on Iraq; Mideast situation

BRUSSELS, 22/02/2003 (ANA – Y. Zitouniati)

Besides the ongoing Iraq crisis, EU member-states’ foreign ministers are also expected to discuss future steps in the stalled Middle East peace process in light of a recent high-profile meeting in London by the “Quartet’s” representatives – UN, EU, United States and Russia.

Within this framework, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou – who also presides over the EU foreign ministers’ council – has invited Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and the organization’s current president, Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmud Hammud, to the meeting.

Another possible topic up for discussion touches on prospects for convening a EU-Russia summit late May in St. Petersburg. Finally, the situation in the western Balkans – a priority for Athens – is also expected to be on the agenda.

[03] Simitis has telephone contacts with Prodi, Aznar, Berlusconi

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Protopapas said Simitis and Prodi discussed the latter's recent visit to Moscow and his talks there with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Iraq crisis dominated the Greek prime minister's conversations with his Italian and Spanish counterparts, in view of Aznar's imminent visit to Washington where he will meet with US President George Bush, and Berlusconi's upcoming tour of Arab capitals, the spokesman said.

[04] Prodi: No delay in states' accession course because of Iraq stance

SKOPJE, 22/02/2003 (ANA – N. Frangopoulos)

He also said he was “pleased” by a letter he received from the so-called “Vilnius group” of 10 east European states expected to join NATO in the coming period, in which the 10 countries’ leaderships supported the tougher US position Iraq.

Prodi made the statements after a handful of meeting with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s (FYROM) leader-ship, where the small land-locked country’s relations with the Union were discussed.

Among others, the EU Commission president said there is no “political” impediment to ratifying an Association and Stabilization Agreement between the bloc and FYROM (signed in April 2001). All 15 member-states must ratify the agreement, with Belgium, Portugal, Greece.

[05] European socialists stress their insistence on peaceful solution to Iraq problem

BRUSSELS, 22/02/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

The European socialists' directorate, which convened here with the participation of Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in his capacity as vice president, underlined the significance of Europe's unity in managing the crisis, congratulating the Greek presidency for the feat to ''compromise what could not be compromised'' on a common position on handling the crisis.

Tsohatzopoulos spoke of coordinated efforts by Europe which is continuing, as he said, to seek a peaceful solution based on UN resolutions, assessing that unilateral intervention, apart from the oil deposits, also has a strategic target which will mean changes of a regional geopolitical importance.

''The European countries must maintain their unity in shaping a common policy both during the crisis and after a possible war, when they will have to jointly handle the consequences,'' he said.

[06] Greek-Turkish talks on Cyprus security and guarantees stumble

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

According to Greek diplomatic sources in Athens, the Turkish delegation, headed by the political director of the foreign ministry, Ambassador Baki Ilkin, reiterated the steadfast Turkish positions, at the same time giving the impression that it is not willing to negotiate seriously. According to the same sources, the Turkish delegation underlined from the beginning the importance it attributes to the maintenance of the guarantors treaty making it clear that it views as a given fact and non-negotiable, the maintenance of the right of unilateral intervention in Cyprus.

Furthermore, the Turkish side stood in favor of the stay of a large number of troops in Cyprus, to the tune of 10,000 men, which constitutes, as is known, the greatest possible number provided by the UN Secretary-General's second plan.

The Turkish delegation also appeared negative towards the proposal by the head of the Greek delegation, Ambassador Alexandros Filon who, reiterating the positions of outgoing Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, supported the gradual withdrawal of the troops until their complete departure when Turkey joins the European Union.

The Turkish delegation was also intransigent on the procedure, as it refused the presence of Annan's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto in the second scheduled meeting between the two delegations in the afternoon, which was eventually cancelled.

On its part, the Greek delegation had insisted on the need for the presence of de Soto, arguing that these negotiations are an inseparable part of the Annan plan and are under its auspices.

It is recalled that the procedure of the Greek-Turkish negotiations on the aspect of security and guarantees started following strong urging by the UN chief himself, who recently sent a relevant letter to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

It must be noted that the Turkish delegation did not accept for there to be a joint briefing of de Soto on the results of the talks which took place earlier in Friday morning, insisting that the two delegations should separately brief the UN chief's special adviser.

Thus, Friday's first meeting ended without a date being set for the next meeting, which was agreed to be determined through diplomatic channels providing developments allowed for it.

De Soto had said on arrival at Ankara airport in the morning that ''the settlement of the Cyprus issue depends on today's meeting on security.''

Friday's meeting lasted about four and a half hours.

In statements to reporters before the meeting, Ambassador Ilkin noted that certain points in the plan presented by Annan for a solution to the Cyprus problem impinged directly on Greece and Cyprus and that these concerned guarantees.

The Turkish official described the meeting as ''an initial, technical stage'' that would seek to determine whether certain ambiguities could be cleared up.

He pledged that Turkey would participate in the meetings with a ''constructive stance'' but said it was not yet certain whether these discussions would continue or not.

Ambassador Filon said he was pleased to be back in Ankara where he had earlier served as Greek ambassador and said that the two sides would exchange views.

[07] New Cyprus president says Turkish positions do not allow ground for negotiations

NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Papadopoulos said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will want to assess the prospects of a revised plan's acceptance first before submitting it.

In an exclusive interview with the Athens News Agency (ANA) and in response to a question on whether the Greek Cypriot side will be faced with dilemmas, Papadopoulos said "our side is used to be faced with dilemmas".

He went on to say that whatever challenges and whatever dilemmas will be faced with a climate of prudence and consent through the collective functioning of the National Council.

Referring to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's negative position regarding his election, Papadopoulos said Denktash had faced Archbishop Makarios and the presidents Kyprianou, Vassiliou and Clerides in the same way and did not expect a different handling.

On the question of the Turkish Cypriots, he said he has the sincere intention of continuing efforts for a workable and viable solution to the Cyprus issue for the benefit of all the Cypriot people.

Commenting on whether negotiating with Denktash will be difficult, Papadopoulos said the issue of Cyprus was never a problem between negotiators.

''We are not negotiating to secure more benefits for the Greek Cypriots but because we want to reach a solution which will safeguard the interests of both communities and which will be able to survive through time. To the degree that the other side will come forward with the same spirit, then negotiating will be easy,'' he said.

Papadopoulos said the experience and knowledge of President Clerides are essential both for the new president and the country and expressed pleasure because Clerides gave a positive response to providing services in the framework of the National Council.

The new president stressed the importance of close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece and confirmed that the axis between Athens and Nicosia will be strengthened even further.

Papadopoulos expressed gratitude to Greece for the great support it is offering Cyprus.

Regarding the completion of the accession course, Papadopoulos referred to the legal and technical task, while the emphasis will be given now to the implementing of new legislation .

[08] Croatia submits application for EU accession to Simitis

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Simitis said that the Croatian application represented a step forward for the Balkans since Croatia was the first Western Balkan state to submit an application to join the Union.

''I am happy that Croatia's application was submitted during the Greek presidency term, since it constitutes a basic principle for stability and growth in the region'', the Greek prime minister said, adding ''we have made intense efforts in that direction''.

During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the Iraq crisis.

Responding to a relevant press inquiry, Simitis said that there were no differences of view on the issue among Europeans, and that he was not in agreement with the term ''old and new Europe''.

[09] PM Racan signs statement of world personalities in support of the Olympic Truce

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Earlier in the day Racan submitted his country's formal application for accession to the European Union to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, currently European Council President.

Papandreou welcomed Croatia's application for EU accession, noting that it was a sign of the bonds developing between the European Union and southeastern Europe, ''a sign that the whole region, slowly but surely, is being transformed into a common home, a home with common values, common principles and common practices.''

The foreign minister added that ''one of these values is peace and today the Prime Minister signed for the idea of the Olympic Truce.''

Papandreou further noted that the foreign ministry has proposed for the Olympic Torch for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games to pass through all the capitals of the region of southeastern Europe and Turkey ''as a sign of peace, as a sign of cooperation for the Olympic Games.''

On his part, Prime Minister Racan said that ''I am particularly happy that I also was able to be a part of this very beautiful idea which has great tradition. Furthermore, we could be able to extend the idea of truce to a larger region, particularly at this time when we have the crisis in Iraq.''

[10] UN mediator to hold talks with FYROM government

SKOPJE, 22/02/2003 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

Nimetz said his visit is part of his contacts with the leaderships of the two countries, Greece and FYROM, on talks at the UN's headquarters on the name issue.

Borian Jovanovski, a spokesman for FYROM President Boris Trajkovski, said the country's leadership will brief the UN's mediator that it insists on the policy of a ''double name'', meaning the preservation of its constitutional name ''Republic of Macedonia'' in communicating with the international community and the use of a ''dignified name'' in bilateral relations with Greece.

Nimetz's visit also coincides with the intention of FYROM's leadership to appoint a new representative in talks being held with the Greek side in New York in the place of the current representative, Ivan Tosevski.

FYROM's Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva had announced the appointment of the country's new representative for the end of last week but this has not yet happened.

The press in Skopje attributes the delay to disagreement between the government and the president over the person to represent the country in the talks.

[11] Greek-German talks focus on EU immigration policy

BERLIN, 22/02/2003 (ANA-P.Stagos)

The two ministers discussed the promotion of measures to deal with illegal immigration, as well as international terrorism and how the two countries could cooperate on information exchange level.

Chrysohoidis said after the meeting that the German minister expressed his country’s reservations over the creation of a common agency to guard European borders, proposed by the Greek EU Presidency. This proposal also involves the economic allocation of the cost to implement that policy, an aspect to which Germany is also opposed.

Schily’s position on immigration policy and asylum is that such issues are primarily a national policy concern.

[12] Yiannitsis to represent PM at S. Korea leader's swearing-in ceremony

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos departs on Friday for a 10-day Middle East tour, including stops in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.

Bilateral economic and trade relations are expected to dominate his talks.

[13] State Department updates its Information Sheet on Greece

WASHINGTON, 22/02/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Withdrawn from the text in the previous information sheet, dated January 14, was the sentence which noted that ''despite the arrest of suspected members of November 17, the possibility of terrorist acts against American and commercial interests is believed to remain high.''

The updated Consular Information Sheet, dated February 20, notes that ''during 2002 the Greek authorities made significant progress in the direction of dismantling local terrorism with the arrest of 18 suspects as members of 'November 17'.''

It added that ''other leftist and anarchist groups continue to be a threat for American and commercial interests in Greece through the use of small explosive devices.''

[14] Greek Merchant marine minister reports on EU agenda

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, in a news conference, Mr Anomeritis stressed that he visited Brussels on February 17, to address a seminar, organized by the Union of Greek Ship Owners and the Union of European Ship Owners, on the quality of community shipping, upgrading its image in the European area and upgrading the seaman profession.

The Greek minister also met with EU Transport Commissioner, Mrs. Loyola de Palacio, and discussed the agenda of a Transport Council in March, and a joint meeting between the Greek EU Presidency, the European Commission and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Mr Anomeritis also attended an open session of the European Parliament and presented the Greek EU presidency's priorities on the shipping transport sector.

He stressed that a period of registering shipping routes for the period 2003-2004 in the domestic passenger shipping market was concluded smoothly and added that "we need cooperation and common sense in all matters to find solutions for a constantly upgrading shipping sector".

[15] Balkan states need cooperation in energy market

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

George Stavrou, SBBE's executive, addressing a seminar on "Energy revolution: Does Greece has a place?" held in Kavala, said that it was necessary to promote measures and take actions aimed at improving the competitiveness of Greek industry. These measures and actions should envisage: -harmonizing a special fuel consumption tax at European Union's lowest levels, -ensuring growth in regions not included in a natural gas network by offering competitive incentives, -decoupling the price of natural gas from crude oil product prices, and -expanding a night charge zone for electricity consumption.

[16] Minister, trade union back single social insurance fund

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas told a conference at Delphi arranged by the Social Security Foundation (IKA), the state's main social insurance fund, that talks were underway with bank pension funds about joining.

In addition, the institutional framework was being laid down for the establishment of funds for professionals, Reppas said.

Christos Polyzogopoulos, head of the Confederation of Workers of Greece, called on the head of salary earners' funds to join IKA-ETAM as quickly as possible.

"Otherwise, smaller funds will soon find themselves in a financial impasse," Polzogopoulos added.

[17] Everest expands agreement with Hellas Flying Dolphins

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Everest will supply HFD's fleet of 36 vessels by extending a contract until the end of 2004.

The Group expects it turnover from the contract to total 12 million euros this year and 15 million euros in 2004.

[18] IOC's Executive Committee ratifies Olympic Relay Race's program for 2004

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

For the first time, the Olympic Flame will be carried through all five continents on the planet, while the IOC's president told Daskalaki ''Gianna, we appreciate your work very much. To a considerable degree, Athens got the Olympic Games due to your presence. I and my associates are in the same boat regarding the quality of the Athens Olympic Games.''

The course of the Olympic Flame will begin in May, 2004, with the flame lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia. The flame will then travel all over the world for 35 days and return to Greece where it will pass through all prefectures in mainland and insular Greece before reaching the Athens Olympic stadium for the 28th Olympic Games' opening ceremony on August 13, 2004.

The Olympic Flame will pass through 27 cities in the world. All the cities which hosted summer Olympic Games since 1896, Beijing, as the city hosting the 2008 Olympic Games and Cairo, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Lausanne and Nicosia.

A total of 10,000 relay race runners are expected to carry the flame, 6,500 of whom along the Greek section of the race and 3,500 along the international course and who will be from all parts of the world. Each relay race runner will cover an average distance of 300-500 meters.

[19] Culture minister says Olympic Games timetables under control

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Commenting on Rogge's remarks, Venizelos said ''problems exist, of course, which are neither unknown nor original and in almost all cases they are due to factors which the government cannot control in a democratic society, such as the reactions of certain municipalities, the speed at which court rulings are issued and frequent appeals by certain construction companies (which have already undertaken many projects) to the Council of State.''

Venizelos added that all this has been discussed with the IOC repeatedly and it is known that finalized timetables are under absolute control.

[20] Northern border posts set for overhaul before Athens Olympics

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

Greek Real Estate SA has carried out a preliminary study that details improvements to Kipi including upgraded hygene facilities, new traffic islands, and new road surfaces.

Other posts due for improvement are Evzones, Promahonas, Niki and Kakkavia.

[21] President Stephanopoulos attends Ioannina liberation parade

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

The government was represented by Transport Minister Christos Verelis, while Deputy Defence Minister Lazaros Lotidis and Deputy Agriculture Minister Evangelos Argyris and top armed forces and security forces staff were among those attending.

[22] Temporary injunction against alleged 'N17' suspects' assets

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

The ruling had not been released by noon time on Friday, reports said.

A judge apparently accepted a petition by the Greek Post Office (EL.TA), filed last December, to freeze property and assets of nearly a dozen “N17” suspects. EL.TA officials believe the shadowy ultra-leftist terrorist group’s members stole some 25 million euros in a handful of post office robberies over the past 20 years.

According to reports, the ruling does not affect Aggeliki Sotiropoulou, the only female “N17” arrested and jailed.

The three Xiros brothers – Savvas, Christodoulos and Vassilis – Dimitris Koufodinas, Alexandros Giotopoulos, Theologos

Psaradellis, Vassilis Tzortzatos, Iraklis Kostaris and Costas Karatsolis are reportedly identified in the temporary injunction.

[23] Greek armed forces officers awarded medals by Germany

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

The medals were awarded for services promoting Greek-German cooperation.

Among them were Brigadier Apostolos Lykodimos, who received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of German President Johannes Raus. Lykodimis represented Greece in Germany between July 1999 and June 2002 as defense and military attache at the Greek Embassy, during which time he offered valuable services to defense and military cooperation between Greece and Germany and further improved good relations between the armed forces of the two countries.

Lieutenant Colonel Dimitrios Vavatsis received the Silver Cross of Honor of the Federal Armed Forces from Federal Defense Minister Dr. Peter Struck for his services when running the Greek Embassy's Procurements Bureau between June 1999 and August 2002. Vavatsis was involved in the transfer of defense equipment from Germany's armed forces to the Greek army and was "instrumental in the successful implementation of defense programs" and in cementing defense relations between Greece and Germany, the German ambassador in Athens said.

[24] Prison guards suspended in the wake of drugs charges

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

The three accused included the head guard of the women's prison Athina Haramanda and two guards in the men's prison, a father and son called Nikolaos and Andreas Vatsineas.

Petsalnikos said the three would also face an internal disciplinary council, as would the former governor of the Korydallos women's prison Ekaterini Sarisavva.

Finally, he said the deputy governor of the women's prison Irene Kakasi would be replaced.

The justice minister ordered an in-depth investigation into each case and called for specific responsibilities to be attributed where these were found.

In response to questions, however, he referred to the affair as ''isolated incidents that do not lessen the contribution and the work of prison staff about the country, who carry out their functions under the difficult circumstances in a particularly sensitive area''.

[25] Greek, French sports ministers discuss joint initiatives

Athens, 22/02/2003 (ANA)

According to Lianis, the two countries will sign a bilateral sports sector agreement in late May on the sidelines of an informal council of EU sports and culture ministers in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.

Additionally, both sides agreed to co-organize an event in honor of Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the most influential figure in reviving the Olympic Games in the modern era, and Greece’s Demetrios Vikelas, another prominent pioneer of the Olympic Ideal. Both men were contemporaries and both were instrumental in hosting the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.

Finally, Lianis said he thanked Lamour for support that French football great Michel Platini has offered Athens 2004 organizers in the soccer competition.

[26] Weston sees crucial time ahead for Cyprus

LARNACA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca Airport on Friday, Weston also said he looked forward to meeting the new President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos.

''This is obviously a crucial time ahead,'' Weston said, reminding the imminent visit of the UN Secretary-General from February 26 to 28, noting that ''the decisions that will be taken over the next couple of days by Cypriots are more than of historic importance, they will determine the future of the island, so they cannot be underestimated.''

Weston said he is here ''to do whatever I can to support the work of the Secretary-General in coming up with a settlement along the lines'' of the UN chief's plan for a settlement and the timing that is outlined in that.

Stressing that this was ''probably my most important trip to the

island, because of the changed circumstances,'' Weston said he was looking forward to meeting President-elect Papadopoulos as well as ''seeing my very good friend President Clerides'' on Friday afternoon and the Turkish Cypriots on Saturday as well.

Asked if a second revised plan would be submitted by Kofi Annan, Weston said it was ''something which is possible'' but whether it will be done or not he did not know.

Weston further said that ''all the elements of an agreement are in place'' and ''are fairly well known to both sides.''

He added that on Monday he would be visiting Ankara.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory.

[27] Diplomacy on Cyprus continues ahead of Annan's visit

NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Annan's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto is holding talks at the Turkish Foreign Ministry. He already met Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin, who briefed him on the results of the first meeting between Greece and Turkey on the issue of security and guarantees in Cyprus.

Speaking on arrival in Ankara on Friday, de Soto stated that a solution to the Cyprus problem could still be found by February 28.

Before departing from Cyprus, de Soto held a three-hour meeting with newly-elected president Tassos Papadopoulos and his negotiating team.

Asked whether he believes a new plan is anticipated, Papadopoulos said he had asked de Soto on Friday and the phrase, which the latter used, was ''if and when the Secretary-General decides.''

His statement was echoed by outgoing President Glafcos Clerides, who said on Friday he does not know whether the UN Secretary-General will submit a new revised plan for a Cyprus settlement.

He was speaking after meeting House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, who expressed hope the Secretary-General will not submit a new revised plan for a Cyprus settlement, because ''hasty moves will be made.''

Christofias noted that not the best of decisions can be taken under pressure and hoped the UN will not submit a new plan, which he said would be ''worse than the previous one.''

He added ''we are ready to continue the initiative of the UN Secretary-General, irrespective of whether or not the UN will submit a plan,'' adding that the UN chief and the various envoys ''have done nothing substantial to stop the Turkish intransigence.''

[28] British envoy arrives Saturday in support of UN peace effort

NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

''This period leading up to the end of the month is a crucial time

for Cyprus,'' Stuart Summers, British High Commission spokes-man has told the CNA, adding that the purpose of the visit is to express support for the UN peace effort to meet the February 28 deadline for an agreement and to remind people on the island of the importance in finding a solution in time to allow a united Cyprus to sign the Accession Treaty in mid April.

Summers said Hannay has an open return ticket and is likely to be here when UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrives on Wednesday.

Hannay's previous visits to the island were very brief.

According to the preliminary program of contacts, Hannay will have a working breakfast on Monday morning with President Glafcos Clerides and meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

He will meet president-elect Tassos Papadopoulos (who won Sunday's presidential elections by 51.51 per cent of the vote) and House President Demetris Christofias. The British diplomat will see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and other Turkish Cypriot political leaders in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

Replying to questions, Summers said Hannay will not participate in consultations with Kofi Annan in connection with the Cyprus question but he will meet with his special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who has been conducting direct talks with the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides for more than a year.

[29] Bush pledges to continue efforts for Cyprus settlement

WASHINGTON, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The US president's stance is included in his bimonthly report on progress towards a negotiated solution of the Cyprus question, covering the period December 1, 2002, through January 31, 2003.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, President Bush said his administration ''was particularly active during this reporting period in supporting UN Secretary-General Annan's efforts to foster a comprehensive Cyprus settlement on the basis of the plan he has proposed.''

''Although such a settlement did not emerge at the European Union's Summit in Copenhagen in December, intense diplomatic activity has continued,'' Bush said.

He noted that Secretary of State Colin Powell, Under Secretary Marc Grossman, Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Weston, and Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson "are encouraging all relevant parties to maintain a spirit of compromise and a commitment to reaching an agreement by February 28, 2003.''

''I will do the same as part of our continuing commitment to the UN effort to find a just and lasting settlement for Cyprus,'' President Bush concluded.

[30] Turkey found guilty of human rights violations in Cyprus

NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The Court ordered Turkey to pay 15,000 euros for non pecuniary

damages and 4,715 for costs and expenses. The decision about the violation of two articles of the European Convention of Human Rights was taken by six votes to one, that of the Turkish judge sitting at the bench.

The Court said that between March 8, 1992 and April 14, 1998 only six out of 46 requests for such permits were granted.

The applicant complained that the refusals by the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot regime to allow him to cross into southern Cyprus and participate in bi-communal meetings breached three articles of the European Convention for Human Rights.

The Court dismissed Turkish claims that Ankara has no responsibility for events in the areas of Cyprus it occupies and said that it was obvious from the large number of troops engaged in active duties in northern Cyprus that the Turkish army exercised effective control over that part of the island. Such control entailed her responsibility for the policies and actions of the Turkish Cypriot regime.

The Court dismissed the Turkish government's argument that domestic remedies had not been exhausted, finding that the government had not shown that any of the remedies it had suggested would have afforded redress in any way whatsoever to the applicant.

The Court emphasized however that its ruling was not to be interpreted as a general statement that remedies were ineffective in the Turkish Cypriot regime or that applicants were absolved

from having normal recourse to remedies that were available and functioning.

The Court considered that all the meetings the applicant wished to attend were designed to promote dialogue and an exchange of ideas and opinions between Turkish Cypriots living in the north and Greek Cypriots living in the south, with the hope of securing peace on the island.

The refusals to grant these permits to the applicant in effect barred his participation in bi-communal meetings, preventing him from peacefully assembling with people from both communities.

Accordingly, the Court concluded that there had been an interference with the applicant's rights to freedom of peaceful assembly.

The manner in which restrictions were imposed on the applicant's exercise of his freedom of assembly was not ''prescribed by law''.

[31] Ireland reiterates support for peace process, accession of Cyprus

NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a 45-minute long meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, he said that these two issues and the friendly bilateral relations as well as future collaboration as EU partners were the focus of his discussions with the Cypriot minister.

''Dublin has always been consistent and has always favored the accession of Cyprus with or without a settlement, but we are very strongly in favor of an early accomplishment of the UN initiative and are fully behind UN Secretary General and his representative to bring about an early reconciliation of the two communities in Cyprus,'' he told CNA after the meeting.

The minister noted that Ireland will hold the EU rotating presidency when Cyprus and another nine countries will join the Union in May 2004 and commended the Cyprus government for the work it has done towards this goal.

He said Ireland, as a country with features in common with Cyprus, would be ready to assist in the process for reconciliation on the island.

Asked how Ireland can do this, he said the Irish experience has shown that sometimes you can set out the road map to full peace and reconciliation and sometimes you take two steps forward and one step backward on that route.

''Our strong hope is that everyone will stick with the task because we believe the reconciliation of the two communities in Cyprus is inevitable and is good and will be in the interests of both communities, and of the EU in its entirety,'' he added.

''My message is to keep up the good work and be generous,'' he said. Present at the meetings were Irish Ambassador here John Swift and Cyprus' Ambassador in Dublin Andreas Kakouris.

The minister is on the island visiting Irish UN peace-keepers, stationed here. He leaves on Saturday.

[32] Cyprus makes representations to

US NICOSIA, 22/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said here Friday that the official procedure of informing the authorities when military aircraft will participate in the exercises was not followed, stressing that ''safety regulations in the civil aircraft traffic should be followed.''

Kasoulides said that lately there has been aircraft maneuvers in the open seas by the US fleet and usually, there was no timely warning that there were military aircraft in the region.

However, due to the crowded air traffic, representations were made and the American side was contacted, noting that civil aircraft pilots were forced to change their routes.

''Even though there was good will,'' he said, ''there are still incidents'' forcing the Foreign Ministry to make representations. Asked what Cyprus can do, Kasoulides said, ''we should all share the need to strictly adhere to the safety regulations of civil aircraft traffic.''

''I do not doubt that this is also a matter for the American side, but we have to be especially careful,'' he added.

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