Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says Cyprus solution possible in timetables set if Turkish side shows will

[02] PM and US President discuss Iraq, EU-US relations

[03] White House spokesman refers to Bush, Simitis communication

[04] Athens blames Turkish side for slow progress toward Cyprus solution

[05] FM says Athens visit of newly elected Cyprus president very important

[06] Prodi voices preference for a united Cyprus to enter

[07] ND leader meets with Thomas Weston

[08] DM meets with U.S. president's Middle East affairs adviser, reports say

[09] Greek academic detained in U.S. complains at his treatment

[10] PM to meet environment minister, communication team this week

[11] FinMin urges tight incomes, pricing policy for public sector enterprises

[12] De Palacio welcomes Greece-Turkey natural gas pipeline deal

[13] EU to focus on funding economic reform in Balkans this year

[14] Olympic organizers sign deal for 3 more cruise ships

[15] OTE telecom in talks for buyout of Serbian mobile phone firm

[16] Intralot in lottery supply contract in FYROM

[17] National Bank of Greece launches Bulgaria's first credit card

[18] Euro-Court: Funds must pay pensioners' overseas medical expenses

[19] 40% of Greek youths find jobs outside their educational field, Eurostat says

[20] Deputy FM Loverdos communicates with Serb urban planning minister Sumarac

[21] Cross transactions planned with Istanbul, Tel Aviv bourses

[22] Greek stocks plunge to five-year lows on Tuesday

[23] Gov't denies reports of friction between culture minister, ATHOC chief

[24] Premier unveils bill mandating milder legal treatment of narcotics users

[25] Justice ministry delegation tours jailhouse 'N17' courtroom

[26] Draft bill cuts tenure for conscientious objectors

[27] Report on media-linked blackmail case finds grounds for prosecution

[28] Venizelos chairs informal EU Council on sports

[29] FIBA basketball federation's delegation visiting Greece

[30] President-elect Papadopoulos satisfied with Athens talks

[31] Straw urges both sides not to let historic opportunity slip away

[32] US ambassador says time is now for Cyprus settlement

[01] PM says Cyprus solution possible in timetables set if Turkish side shows will

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

The UN chief reiterated that a unique opportunity currently exists ''for a reunited Cyprus to accede to the EU'' and expressed satisfaction over the outcome of his talks in Ankara on Monday, saying the Turkish leadership also strongly supports a solution to the Cyprus issue in existing timetables.

Talks between Simitis and Annan continued during a dinner the prime minister hosted for his guest. The talks were attended by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris and Annan's special representative Alvaro de Soto.

Simitis said in a statement that Greece and Cyprus have every reason to appreciate Annan's contribution to the issue of Cyprus which has come to the forefront of events after many vicissitudes, as he said.

''The possibility of a solution arose after many initiatives by the UN and much work for difficult problems which had been accumulated, following three decades of occupation of a third of Cyprus, to be handled in detail,'' Simitis said.

Referring to Annan's plan, he said it handles the claims of both sides, while in many points it is not absolutely satisfactory for either of them.

''It shows the way for dividing lines to be overcome and for new relations to be shaped. I have said that what is necessary is political will,'' he said.

Simitis pointed out that the Greek Cypriot and Greek sides have shown that they possess such will, but they cannot take the step alone since the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides should move in the same direction.

''If this will exist we can reach a solution in the timeframe set,'' Simitis said, adding that he stressed the need to Annan for a constructive attitude on behalf of Turkey as well.

On the question of Annan's visit to Ankara, Simitis said ''he himself is in a position, better than all, to judge if preconditions of success exist for such an undertaking.''

Simitis referred at length to the decisive importance of the accession process and the participation of Cyprus in all EU deliberations.

''It creates other preconditions for problems to be overcome, consolidating procedures which will gradually push aside differences, conflicts and enmities created as a result of many decades of military intervention, arbitrary acts and the infringement of rights which led to the overturning of international agreements,'' he said.

Simitis further said memory is necessary for one to learn from the past, as well as a will to enable us to create the future, reiterating that this will exists on the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides and appealed for a corresponding will to be exhibited on the part of Turkey as well.

''We expressed our views on acts and points of the solution for us to lead the Cyprus issue to becoming a problem of the past,'' he said, assuring that ''we want this.''

On his part, Annan referred to the very important role played by Greece, particularly now that it is exercising the EU's presidency, and expressed absolute satisfaction over his discussions on the issue of Cyprus, reminding that the present procedure began in 1999 with intensive negotiations between his special envoy and the parties involved.

After reiterating that he sees a ''unique opportunity for a reunited Cyprus to accede to the EU'', he referred to the signing of Cyprus' accession treaty to the EU on April 16, expressing his conviction that an agreement can be reached to enable referendums to take place in both communities by March 30.

Annan further focused on the benefits from the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU for the people of Cyprus, the peoples in the region and the EU itself, noting that the present opportunity ''will not exist forever. Courage, vision and determination are necessary.''

He said he will travel to Cyprus on Wednesday to deliver his document which, as he said, will not be a surprise for any side since the views and concerns of both parties have been taken into consideration.

Commenting on whether he is more optimistic for a solution to be found in the time limit set by the UN, after the briefing he had from Annan on results of his visit to Ankara, Simitis said Annan told him that there were encouraging indications and stressed that ''I want to see them in practice.''

Responding to a question on whether he believes his plan will be accepted, Annan expressed the conviction that the new thoughts he will present ''will enable us to move forward, to have differences bridged and to reach an agreement. I came with the hope that we shall conclude so that we can be in a position to say that we have achieved our target'', adding that timetables ''are not technical but real'' and that ''I believe that with the assisting revised plan there will be a satisfactory outcome.''

UN chief Annan arrives in Athens, says opportunity must not be lost for Cyprus: UN secretary general Kofi Annan arrived in Athens at noon on Tuesday for talks with the Greek government on ongoing efforts for a Cyprus settlement, and in an airport statement reiterated that the opportunity for a solution must not be lost.

Annan said there was an important opportunity for resolving the Cyprus issue that must not be lost.

He said the matter was urgent, and that Cyprus should join the European Union reunited, noting that this was desired by the European Union and the UN Security Council alike. But for this to occur, he continued, the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots needed to hold separate referendums by March 30 at the latest.

If this opportunity was lost, he warned, it was unclear whether there would be another opportunity anytime soon.

A reunified Cyprus should sign the accession to the European Union, he reiterated.

Annan further said that the hour of decisions had arrived, and that both sides needed to reach agreement by February 28, noting, however, that a few days extension could be given. But he warned that a delay beyond early March would comprise a 'no' to the accession to the EU by a reunified Cyprus.

The UN chief said he was encouraged by the talks he had in Ankara on Monday, and said the new amendments to his draft solution plan would contain no surprises and would aim at bringing the two sides to agreement.

Replying to questions, Annan said he hoped that EU accession would be made by a reunified Cyprus, adding that he had briefed the Turkish government (on Monday) of the points of the revised plan he would present, and would do the same with the Greek government (on Tuesday) as well as the Cyprus government and the Turkish Cypriot community. Annan is due to arrive in Cyprus on Wednesday.

Asked what would happen if a solution was not reached, Anna said it was in the interests of both sides to reach a solution, adding that Ankara realized how urgent this was and desired a unified Cyprus to accede the EU.

Annan also described Greece as a country with an important role on the international scene, and now, more than ever, as it was holding the EU presidency.

Annan signs Olympic Truce Statement: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan signed the Statement of World Personalities in Support of the Olympic Truce Initiative in Athens on Tuesday evening, in the presence of Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers president George Papandreou.

Speaking at a special signing ceremony at the foreign ministry, Papandreou hailed Annan's role in international efforts for peace in many regions of the world, and referring to the Cyprus issue, stressed that ''we are expecting a great deal and have many hopes.''

On his part, the UN chief expressed his particular pleasure as his first visit to Athens coincided with the signing of the Olympic Truce Declaration. He stated that ''we should implement and utilize daily in practice the signing.''

Present at the event were the ambassadors in Athens of the five countries which are permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as Greek parliamentarians.

The brief event came to a close with the screening of a video film on the theme of the Olympic Idea.

[02] PM and US President discuss Iraq, EU-US relations

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

They said the call had been initiated by Bush and that he had congratulated the Greek EU presidency for its decision to call an emergency summit on Iraq and the summit's successful outcome, as well as the presidency's stance on the issue.

The American president also stressed the importance of relations between the U.S. and the EU and his desire that these relations remain so, while assuring Simitis that he would personally work in this direction.

The same sources said that the Greek premier and current president of the European Council stressed that any action related to Iraq must originate with the United Nations and UN decisions, a view with which Bush agreed.

Simitis also took the opportunity to refer to the Cyprus problem and a tour of Athens, Ankara and Nicosia by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, asking Bush to use his influence with Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot side to assist progress toward a solution.

Bush apparently assured the Greek premier of his personal interest in a solution of the Cyprus problem.

[03] White House spokesman refers to Bush, Simitis communication

WASHINGTON 26/02/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

''The President talked by phone with Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Simitis. It was a cordial exchange of views. The President congratulated the Greek Prime Minister for his country's leading role as EU president, which also includes the work which the EU has conducted on the Iraq issue. The President expressed his determination for the disarmament of Saddam Hussein and his support to a strong position of the United Nations concerning the disarmament of Iraq,'' Fleischer said.

The White House spokesman added that ''the two leaders also discussed the strong Greek-American cooperation in the war against terrorism and stressed their strong support to the UN Secretary-General's plan for the solution of the situation in Cyprus. Both committed themselves to do everything possible for the achievement of a settlement as this is presented by the Secretary-General's plan.''

[04] Athens blames Turkish side for slow progress toward Cyprus solution

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Commenting on a meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and visiting Cyprus President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos the previous day, government spokesman Christos Protopapas stressed the ''very good communication'' between Athens and Nicosia, which he said shared ''common views'' but also underlined that Cyprus had the final say regarding the Cyprus issue.

He also stressed that lack of progress toward reuniting the island republic would not ''cast shadows'' on Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

''We all want Cyprus' accession to the EU to take place at the same time as a solution to the Cyprus issue,'' Protopapas said but stressed that the Turkish side's stance had stalled the peace process and that Ankara would be responsible for the impasse in Cyprus unless it abandoned its intransigent attitude.

''The positive statements made by (ruling Justice and Development Party leader) Recep Erdogan are not repeated by Turkey's institutional representation nor by (Turkish-Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash,'' Protopapas said.

The spokesman also reminded reporters that the new Cyprus president had said that a solution might be achieved if there were a small extension to the deadlines (such as that mentioned on Monday by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan), provided that there were a corresponding desire on the Turkish side.

Protopapas said that Athens was not aware of a third Annan plan for Cyprus, only the contents of ''a memorandum that is an outline of the revisions foreseen by the secretary general.

''The final choice about the form of the third plan resides with Annan himself,'' the spokesman added.

[05] FM says Athens visit of newly elected Cyprus president very important

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou and Papadopoulos had just concluded a meeting at Athens airport before the newly elected Cyprus president boarded his flight back to Nicosia.

Prior to his departure, Papadopoulos told reporters that ''adherence to UN Chief Kofi Annan's time frame (with or without an extension) depends on the stance of the Turkish side''.

He once again noted the identity of views between Athens and Nicosia and thanked the Greek government for its unstinting support.

Annan has urged Turkey, Greece and the two sides of Cyprus to unite the island before the expiration of a February 28 deadline, which is crucial if a united island is to join the EU when Cyprus signs the Accession Treaty with the Union in April.

Mumtaz Soysal, a close aide of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash last Friday said the latest Cyprus peace plan presented by Annan encompassed the same spirit as the previous ones, claiming that it essentially offered “no new improvement for the Turkish-Cypriot side”.

Moreover, the first meeting between Greek and Turkish foreign ministry delegations to discuss security and guarantees for Cyprus, on the basis of UN proposals ended in an impasse in Ankara on Friday due to the intransigent stance of the Turkish side. It was agreed that a date for the next meeting would be determined through diplomatic channels providing developments allowed it.

[06] Prodi voices preference for a united Cyprus to enter

EU BRUSSELS 26/02/2003 (ANA-A. Simatos/CNA)

In a statement on Cyprus, Prodi called all parties concerned to step up efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem, reiterating that the acquis should not be an obstacle to a settlement.

''President Prodi repeated today his strong preference for the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU. In view of the imminence of February 28, he gives full support to the final push of the UN and calls all parties concerned to step up their efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem,'' the statement said.

''Respect of this date,'' it remarked, ''would allow sufficient time for the planned referendum to be held on March 30'' and would also ''allow the united Cyprus to meet the imperative deadline of April 16 as regards the signature of the Accession Treaty.''

It quoted Prodi as saying ''the acquis should not be an obstacle to a settlement,'' adding that the Union is ''ready to accommodate the terms of a settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principals on which the EU is founded.''

''President Prodi recalled the Commission's willingness to organize an international Donor Conference to secure financial means for the implementation of the UN plan,'' the statement concluded.

[07] ND leader meets with Thomas Weston

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

In statements to the press Weston said that the present opportunity for the resolution of the Cyprus issue is a historic one, noting that the next ten days will be critical for the future of Cyprus.

He added that he departed from Ankara more optimistic following negotiations, than ever before in the past.

According to sources, Karamanlis reiterated his standing positions that the resolution of the Cyprus problem should be functional, viable and in accordance with the European Union acquis communautaire and the decisions of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet with U.S. State Department on the Cyprus issue Ambassador Thomas Weston on Wednesday.

[08] DM meets with U.S. president's Middle East affairs adviser, reports say

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

The talks were held on the sidelines of the two-day conference being organized by the University of California at a downtown Athens hotel.

Earlier, Papantoniou had made an address to the conference which is focusing on the issue of security in the Middle East.

The conference is being held in camera and minutes are not being recorded.

[09] Greek academic detained in U.S. complains at his treatment

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

At a press conference in Athens on Tuesday, along with other academics appearing in his support, Angelopoulos demanded that personal information and fingerprints taken from him by U.S. authorities be destroyed or deleted with the intervention of the Greek government.

They also demanded to know if the professor's personal details had been given to U.S. authorities at any time and by whom, if files on him are still being kept and if he would be allowed to enter the U.S. in the future.

Also present at the press conference were Athens Polytechnic Chancellor Themistocles Xanthopoulos and the president of the teaching staff association Yiannis Maistos, who expressed support for their colleague and their ''exasperation with the flagrant violation of every sense of legal culture, international relations and protection of human rights''.

Describing his experiences, Angelopoulos claimed that U.S. authorities treated those detained in relation to terrorist issues as ''prisoners'' - transporting them in handcuffs and chained legs - and complained that he had been fingerprinted, forced to disclose personal information, provide a photograph and a sample signature that were then sent to be crosschecked against U.S. files.

At another point, he said that his interlocutors appeared to have information about his activity against the military junta that ruled Greece between 1967-1974 and about his personal contacts.

According to the Athens professor, he had been questioned about his acquaintance with suspected November 17 terrorist Alexandros Giotopoulos and people that might have known him, with particular emphasis on whether he knew the lawyer representing Giotopoulos in the upcoming trial.

He also claimed to have been offered money to jog his memory when he failed to remember names and people.

[10] PM to meet environment minister, communication team this week

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

On Friday at 13:00, the prime minister will chair an informal meeting of the government's communications team.

[11] FinMin urges tight incomes, pricing policy for public sector enterprises

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the heads of all public sector enterprises and organizations, Mr Christodoulakis stressed that the meeting discussed public sector enterprises' incomes and pricing policies in 2003.

According to ministry sources, Mr Christodoulakis urged all public sector enterprises to strictly adhere to the government's incomes policy in the wider public sector.

[12] De Palacio welcomes Greece-Turkey natural gas pipeline deal

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

In a written announcement, Mrs. de Palacio stressed that the agreement would significantly contribute in ensuring the supply and service of the European market's energy needs.

The EU Commissioner also noted that completion of the project would also contribute in securing natural gas supplies in satisfactory prices and quantities, in view of increased demand in the European Union.

Mrs. de Palacio welcomed "the progress made by the governments of Greece and Turkey, which with the support of the European Commission developed a fundamental trade cooperation between companies in the natural gas sector".

The announcement also stressed that the European Commission has underlined in a White Paper on energy supply security the strategic significance of interconnecting Greece and Turkey in natural gas networks.

The Commission funded, with 4.3 million euros, the visibility study for the construction of a natural gas pipeline between Greece and Turkey.

The project, dubbed Interconnector Turkey+Greece, envisages a 280-km pipeline running between the two countries, 80 kilometers on the Greek side and rest in Turkey, with the two countries’ state-run natural gas providers, DEPA and Botas, taking the lead role in construction.

[13] EU to focus on funding economic reform in Balkans this year

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Funds for Balkan reconstruction from the Service in 2003 totalled 316.5 million euros, Manolopoulos told a conference in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

''Our priorities are changing, the work we are doing is being revised in the direction of reinforcing economic growth in states in the region,'' he said.

Balkan programs run by the Service from 1996 to the end of 2003 will total 1.966 billion euros, Manolopoulos added.

The conference on Greek companies and reconstruction of the Balkans was arranged by the Kalofolias Group and Express daily financial newspaper.

[14] Olympic organizers sign deal for 3 more cruise ships

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Two of the vessels, the “Olympic Voyager” and the “Olympia Explorer”, built in 2000 and 2002, respectively, are able to host 836 passengers in 420 luxury suites. A third cruise ship, the “Olympia Countess” offers a more economical hospital package.

Athens organizers have promised a small flotilla of cruise ships in an upgraded and beautified Piraeus port by August 2004, one of the alternatives to meeting pressing hospitality needs during the upcoming Olympic Games.

[15] OTE telecom in talks for buyout of Serbian mobile phone firm

BELGRADE 26/02/2003 (ANA)

The negotiations were being held with PTT Serbia, the firm's main shareholder, Skarpelis told a conference in Belgrade.

OTE, a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, is an active player in the Balkan telecoms market with an aggressive policy of investment and expansion in the region.

The conference was sponsored by OTE International and Athens-quoted EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

[16] Intralot in lottery supply contract in FYROM

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

Under the contract, Intralot will install an on-line terminal system around the country for the operation of lottery, soccer bet, bingo and other on-line lottery games in FYROM.

Operation is expected to begin by the end of 2003. Intralot will receive a percentage of the organization’s turnover.

FYROM's lottery market is rapidly growing and Intralot expects turnover to exceed 40 million euros annually. Lotarija na Makedonija, following the modernization of its systems will be able to participate in a trans-Balkan lottery games organization.

[17] National Bank of Greece launches Bulgaria's first credit card

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

The deputy governor of National Bank, Andreas Vranas, told a conference in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on Tuesday that the move had proved a great success.

UBB also offered Bulgarian customers consumer loans by means of third party sales outlets, Vranas added.

The conference on Greek companies and reconstruction of the Balkans was arranged by the Kalofolias Group and Express daily financial newspaper.

[18] Euro-Court: Funds must pay pensioners' overseas medical expenses

BRUSSELS 26/02/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Greek pensioner had to receive hospital treatment for cardialgia during a trip to Germany. He called on the German medical treatment fund to cover his expenses directly and then claim them from the relevant Greek insurance fund, in accordance with EU regulation 1408/71.

According to the European Court, the mere fact that a pensioner is suffering from a chronic ailment, which he was aware of before traveling abroad, does not prevent him from enjoying treatment required by the development of the state of his health during his stay.

[19] 40% of Greek youths find jobs outside their educational field, Eurostat says

BRUSSELS 26/02/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Some 40 per cent of Greek youths find jobs they were not trained for, thus bringing Greece to second highest position after Italy (47 per cent) among European Union member-states.

These percentages decrease as the educational level increases according to the study, resulting in university graduates to be more likely to find a job in their chosen field of study.

[20] Deputy FM Loverdos communicates with Serb urban planning minister Sumarac

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

A foreign ministry announcement said Loverdos and the Serb minister expressed their full satisfaction on the submission of the Serbian Republic's proposals within the framework of the Greek plan, which includes eight projects with main priority the reconstruction of Axis 10 of the trans-European road network.

This issue was also discussed between Loverdos and Serbia's Assistant Minister of International Economic Affairs, Gordana Lazarevic - in the context of a conference which was held recently in Kavala, northern Greece - where the project was included in the reconstruction of the motorway which would link Belgrade with Nice and the borders of the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYROM).

According to Loverdos, the first release of funds for the project is expected to be given in the first half of this year.

[21] Cross transactions planned with Istanbul, Tel Aviv bourses

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

At a meeting of representatives of the three exchanges in Athens on February 20-22, another move decided was to launch an index spanning the three countries' high capitalization quoted firms by the end of 2003; and a benchmark index to be devised by an international specialist.

In addition, the three countries' stock depositories agreed to create an electronic link for their systems by June 2004.

[22] Greek stocks plunge to five-year lows on Tuesday

Athens, 26/02/2003 (ANA)

The general index dropped 2.42 percent to end at 1,623.34 points, its lowest close in the last five years, with turnover a low 97 million euros.

The Textile, IT Solutions, Banks and Wholesale sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (5.52 percent, 4.33 percent, 3.98 percent, 3.97 percent and 3.58 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 2.67 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 2.44 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index plunged 3.05 percent, while the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 2.67 percent off.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 320 to 20 with another 21 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 111.6 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: