Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens-Nicosia-UN chief 'disappointed' at talks' failure, vow to continue effort

[02] Gov’t: No hope for Turkish EU bid without Cyprus solution

[03] EU Commission: Cyprus accession on schedule, pressure on Turkey

[04] Verheugen says difficult for Commission to be positive on Turkey's EU accession

[05] 9th round of Greek-Turkish exploratory talks to take place on Wednesday

[06] State Department places main blame on Denktash for Cyprus talks failure

[07] Athens: Security Council only legitimate body to decide Iraq war

[08] DM Papantoniou on informal Council of Defense Ministers

[09] Top UN official predicts 600,000 refugees from possible Iraq war

[10] Greek EU presidency hails results of referendum in Malta

[11] Turkish war-jets harass Israeli C-130 within Athens' FIR

[12] Prosecutor dismisses claims that 'N17' crimes 'political'

[13] Greek student accused of breaking British anti-terror law indicted

[14] Current FYROM ambassador in U.S. new representative in talks on name issue

[15] Greece to keep economic policy stable

[16] Greece to speed up merger between EBO and PYRKAL

[17] Greek unemployment falls to 9.7 pct in 2002

[18] Greece, Turkey to debate closer business ties Wednesday

[19] Bidders submit final offers in Athens 2004 Olympics security tender

[20] Delay in tourist bookings for 2003 amid Iraq war fears

[21] Greek stocks plunge 2.52 pct on Tuesday

[22] Funding for municipalities, overlays dominate gov't-ATHOC meeting

[23] Int'l conference on return of Parthenon Marbles on Wednesday

[24] Yiannitsis hails the institution of the International Criminal Court

[25] Women's network from Europe and Arab countries contributing to cooperation

[26] Greece to participate in three book exhibitions abroad

[27] Greek initiative on sports infrastructures at refugee camps signed in Athens

[28] Papadopoulos ready to continue for solution despite Tuesday's failure

[29] Britain: Denktash to blame for breakdown of talks in The Hague

[01] Athens-Nicosia-UN chief 'disappointed' at talks' failure, vow to continue effort

THE HAGUE 12/03/2003 (ANA-F.Karaviti)

''Regrettably, these efforts were not a success. We have reached the end of the road,'' Annan said in a statement ready out by his special envoy to Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, after the collapse of the marathon talks between Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the UN chief collapsed early Tuesday.

The collapse of the marathon 15-hour talks, held after months of intensive deliberations by Annan on a peace plan he initially tabled in November with the with the internationally-recognized Cyprus government and the leader of the minority Turkish Cypriot community in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island, means that only the Greek Cypriot side will sign the Accession Treaty to the European Union on April 16, and not a reunited Cyprus.

According to the Annan statement read out by de Soto, the talks were irrevocably deadlocked by the Turkish Cypriots' rejection of basic points of the UN chief's peace plan.

Annan said that he was deeply saddened by the collapse of the talks, and announced that the office set up by de Soto in Nicosia 18 months ago to support the intensified peace effort would close, adding that he was not sure ''another opportunity like this will present itself again any time soon'', but nevertheless pledged not to abandon the Cyprus issue and to utilize every opportunity arising in the future for resolving the problem.

Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos also expressed sadness and disappointment at the talks' failure, but pledged that the Cyprus government ''will continue the effort for a solution before and after Cyprus joins the EU'' and, addressing himself to the Turkish Cypriots, added ''I hope wiser thoughts prevail so that we can create the conditions to get a solution''. He also thanked the UN for its ''unfailing effort and patience''.

The Greek government's sadness and disappointment at the collapse of the talks were expressed by the head of the Greek delegation to the negotiations, foreign ministry secretary general Ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis, who added Athens' intention to ''support every effort for finding a Cyprus solution so that the current momentum may be maintained''.

Earlier, in Washington, prior to the breakdown of the talks, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said that the UN plan for a Cyprus solution was ''fair'' and should be put to a referendum before the two communities on Cyprus, saying it was the best way for the Cypriots to decide on their future and for a united Cyprus to sign the EU accession treaty.

The full text of the Annan statement, as read out by Alvaro de Soto, appears below:

Full text of Annan statement:

"As agreed on 28 February, the two leaders came to The Hague yesterday (Monday) for a very specific and agreed purpose: I asked each of them whether they were prepared to commit today to submit my 26 February 2003 plan to approval at separate simultaneous referenda on 30 March 2003, in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Problem.

"Mr Papadopoulos answered that he was prepared to do so, as long as the people knew what they are being asked to vote on. To that end he wished to be sure that the gaps regarding federal legislation, as well as constituent state constitutions, would be filled. He underlined the importance of Greece and Turkey agreeing and committing to the security provisions in the plan. Furthermore, considerably more time was needed than was available for a proper, public campaign on the referendum to be carried out. These conditions need to be fulfilled before a referendum can take place. He said he was prepared not to re-open its substantive provisions if the other side was prepared to do likewise.

"Mr Denktash answered that he was not prepared to agree to put the plan to referendum. He said he had fundamental objections to the plan on basic points. He believed that further negotiations were only likely to be successful if they began from a new starting point and if the parties agreed on basic principles. He added that Turkey was in any case not in a position to sign the statement requested of the guarantors because this first required the authorization of parliament.

"Efforts have continued in the course of yesterday and during the night to salvage the process and keep open the prospect of a reunited Cyprus acceding to the EU. I even suggested that negotiations could continue until 28 March with a view to holding the referenda one week later, on 6 April. Regrettably, these efforts were not successful for the reasons stated above.

"Accordingly, as I said when I left Cyprus on 28 February, we have reached the end of the road. The two leaders have expressed their willingness to continue talks. But without a firm commitment to proceed energetically to a conclusion according to a strict work program, culminating in separate simultaneous referenda, it will clearly not be possible to achieve a comprehensive settlement before the accession of Cyprus to the European Union on 16 April. That commitment is not in place at this time. I have therefore asked Mr de Soto to proceed to New York to prepare a detailed report to the Security Council. Mr de Soto's office in Cyprus will be brought to a close in the coming weeks.

"I share tonight with all peace-loving Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Greeks and Turks a deep sense of sadness. I am not sure another opportunity like this one will present itself again any time soon. Nevertheless, I want the people of Cyprus to know that I have not given up on them. I saw in their eyes their longing for peace and reunification. I regret that they have been denied the chance to decide their own future.

"My plan remains on the table, ready for the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to pick it up and carry it forward to a solution if they summon the will to do so. If I see that there is clear and realistic prospect of finalizing negotiations, with the full backing of the motherlands, I will be ready to assist. Let us hope that that day is much closer than it seems this morning."

Athens expresses 'disappointment, sadness'

at Cyprus talks' failure: The Greek foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed Athens' “disappointment and sadness” at the failure of intense UN-brokered Cyprus unification talks at The Hague this week, following Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's rejection of yet another revised UN peace plan.

Spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed that the Turkish Cypriot leadership bore the full blame for the talks' collapse.

''Throughout this period the goodwill and constructive stance of the Greek Cypriot side was ascertained,'' he said, adding that new Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos had demonstrated his genuine desire for a resolution of the long-standing problem.

The Greek side, Beglitis said, also thanked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for his efforts, and believed that The Hague round of talks was ''not the end of the road'' or of efforts for a Cyprus solution.

Replying to press questions, Beglitis said the process had not been terminated, and that from the secretary general's announcement -- issued after the collapse of The Hague talks -- Annan remained at the disposal of the two Cypriot communities for a continuation of efforts.

In a statement by Annan read out at The Hague by his special envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, the UN chief said:

''My plan remains on the table, ready for the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to pick it up and carry it forward to a solution if they summon the will to do so. If I see that there is clear and realistic prospect of finalizing negotiations, with the full backing of the motherlands, I will be ready to assist. Let us hope that that day is much closer than it seems this morning.''

Continuation of the process was also a strategic target of the Greek side, Beglitis said.

Replying to other questions, Beglitis rejected speculation that Cyprus' EU accession was put at risk by the breakdown of talks. Additionally, he said Cyprus' accession course would continue normally, culminating in the signing of Cyprus' EU accession treaty in Athens on April 16.

''We remain firmly ... at the side of the Greek Cypriot side, with which we are in close cooperation,'' Beglitis added.

Asked to comment on the Turkish government's stance, Beglitis said the Turkish side had its share of the responsibility, but noted that the negotiations were carried out by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash himself.

Finally, he said the negative conclusion at The Hague did not contribute to the advancement of Greek-Turkish relations, although he expressed a view that Greek-Turkish relations had reached a level that now acts as a deterrent to tension.

ND, Coalition of the Left blame Turkish Cypriot leader over Hague talks collapse: The main opposition New Democracy party and the Coalition of the Left and Progress party (Synaspismos) in announcements on Tuesday blamed Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash over the failure of the Hague talks on the issue of Cyprus.

ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos expressed ND's regret because ''despite the constructive stance of the government of Cyprus the intransigence of both the Turkish side and Mr. Denktash thwart the effort for a workable solution to the issue of Cyprus being found.''

Roussopoulos expressed hope that despite the deadlock, the efforts of the UN secretary general and the international community will continue and added that ''in every case the accession of Cyprus to the European Union must go ahead unimpeded.''

The spokesman further said that ''Turkey's insistence on its barren intransigence should make all skeptical, particularly the government, our partners and our allies.''

The Coalition of the Left and Progress party said in a similar announcement that Denktash is responsible for the failure of the Hague talks.

The Coalition added that the failure of the talks once again distanced the possibility of a solution being found and that an opportunity was lost despite the fact the Greek Cypriot side was constructive, accepting to negotiate on the basis of the Annan plan.

The party went on to say that despite this the Greek government and political forces in Greece and Cyprus should continue their efforts for a just and viable solution to be achieved and, in this direction, the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU should also be utilized.

[02] Gov’t: No hope for Turkish EU bid without Cyprus solution

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

Spokesman Christos Protopapas added that T/C leader Denktash merely traveled to The Hague “in order to not agree, supported by the Turkish side’s stance.”

“Greece wants a solution and will continue to work (for one) until the Turkish side’s stance changes, given the fact that Turkey’s own European course depends passes through a solution to the Cyprus problem. It’s not possible for Turkey to hope that it will join the European Union without a Cyprus solution,” Protopapas warned.

Moreover, he cited a phone conversation on Monday between Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the leader of Turkey’s ruling party, Tayyip Recep Erdogan, following the latter’s crucial election to Turkey’s national assembly – a development that allows him to assume the premier’s post.

In terms of the latter contacts, he said Athens did not link its policy over the issue with deadlines.

[03] EU Commission: Cyprus accession on schedule, pressure on Turkey

BRUSSELS 12/03/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

A spokesman for Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Ferhaugen told reporters here that the Commission expressed regret over the failure of UN secretary general Kofi Annan's efforts toward a solution to the Cyprus issue and said failure to have an agreement by the end of 2004, when the Commission is scheduled to issue a new report on Ankara's reform progress, would make the start of negotiation talks with Turkey very difficult.

He said the Commission had fully supported the process of the UN secretary general and reiterated the wish of the EU for a settlement of the issue pursuant to the principles of the Union.

The spokesman reiterated the EU's preference'' in the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU and noted Annan's statement that the settlement plan was still ''remains on the table'', stressing the Commission's intent to contribute to the achievement of a solution. He also said the Commission encouraged all interested sides and ''particularly Turkey'' to strive to achieve a settlement.

He said the Commission expressed its solidarity to all Cypriots pointing to the ''courage'' of the Turkish Cypriots in expressing their European beliefs, adding that the Commission would continue to support the process in Cyprus through programs that will benefit both communities, ones geared toward reducing economic disparities on the island and building confidence between the two communities.

[04] Verheugen says difficult for Commission to be positive on Turkey's EU accession

STRASBOURG 12/03/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

Verheugen was replying to a question by Greek Eurodeputy Alexandros Alavanos on whether the Commission can confirm that the Annan plan can form the basis for a viable and workable settlement of the Cyprus issue in the framework of the EU and in accordance with the acquis communautaire.

Verheugen further pointed out that when he visited Turkey last January he stressed to the country's leadership the repercussions of a failure to resolve the political problem in Cyprus, reminding that at the end of 2004 the Commission will have to provide an opinion and a recommendation on whether Turkey meets the political preconditions for accession, one of them being the Cyprus issue.

The commissioner noted that if at the end of 2004 the situation in Cyprus has not changed, then the paradox will appear of a country like Turkey, which is making negotiations to accede to the EU, not recognizing a member-state which will be Cyprus.

[05] 9th round of Greek-Turkish exploratory talks to take place on Wednesday

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

[06] State Department places main blame on Denktash for Cyprus talks failure

WASHINGTON 12/03/2003 (ANA/T.Ellis)

''We are deeply disappointed over the fact that the Secretary General's talks with the two leaders at The Hague did not end in an agreement ... The U.S. have been supporting for a long time the UN SG's efforts and his initiative for the finding of a viable solution," State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said.

"The fact that Mr. Denktash did not allow the Turkish Cypriots to have the opportunity to determine their future by voting on such a fundamental issue, is a sad thing," Boucher noted.

[07] Athens: Security Council only legitimate body to decide Iraq war

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

Spokesman Panos Beglitis said the UN Security Council remained the only legitimate institution that could decide on military operations against Iraq, and within this framework, efforts and deliberations were continuing, ''particularly this critical week''.

UN chief Kofi Annan, at a press conference in The Hague on Monday, appealed for a peaceful solution to ridding Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, stressing that war must ''always be a last resort'', and that the UN has "a duty to search until the very end for the peaceful solution of conflicts".

"The members of the Security Council now face a great choice. If they fail to agree on a common position and action is taken without the authority of the Security Council, the legitimacy and support of any such action will be seriously impaired,'' Annan said, referring to a draft resolution tabled by the US, UK and Spain setting a March 17 deadline for Iraq to cooperate fully with disarmament demands.

Asked whether an attack on Iraq without UN Security Council authorization would violate the UN charter, Annan replied: ''If the US and others were to go outside the Council and take military action, it would not be in conformity with the Charter".

Gov't spokesman: Meanwhile, in later comments, the Greek government spokesman referred to Prime Minister Costas Simitis’ comments late last week when again asked about Athens’ stance vis-a-vis a possible military strike against Iraq.

“No unilateral development is acceptable by Athens,” government spokesman Christos Protopappas said in echoing Simitis statement that “whatever development occurs over the Iraq issue must pass through the United Nations.”

He also said Athens has not received any request by Washington to deport an Iraqi diplomat.

[08] DM Papantoniou on informal Council of Defense Ministers

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, currently presiding over the Council of Ministers, referred on Tuesday to progress achieved during the Greek EU Presidency with regard to the Helsinki targets on CDSP.

Papantoniou specifically referred to the tabling of the conclusions by 40 working teams on covering deficiencies in arms systems of the European Rapid Reaction Force, with its first mission being to be deployed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in April.

He further said that a political agreement has been achieved for EU-NATO cooperation on an equal basis, while a Defense Ministers' committee of representatives has been set up to look into funding ways to cover deficiencies.

The defense minister added that the European Commission is favoring the adoption of Greece's initiatives to boost spending for research and technology, as well as for the implementation of a European armaments policy.

In reply to a question on Iraq, Papantoniou refrained from outlining the content of discussions to take place during the informal Council, saying that they depended on developments in the United Nations Security Council.

He also reiterated that the Greek EU Presidency stresses the need to exhaust all possibilities for peacefully resolving the conflict.

[09] Top UN official predicts 600,000 refugees from possible Iraq war

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers, a former Dutch prime minister, was quoted in a press release by Greece’s Parliament, and following his meeting with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Lubbers reportedly focused on the international organization’s efforts for an effective solution to the Iraqi crisis, one based on disarmament via peaceful means.

On his part, Kaklamanis repeated that the United Nations has the first word and responsibility in terms of implementing Security Council decisions and of upholding international legality -- and not any country unilaterally.

[10] Greek EU presidency hails results of referendum in Malta

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

''We express our complete satisfaction over the positive results of Saturday's referendum in Malta,'' Greek foreign minister and EU Council president in-office George Papandreou said, adding: ''With their positive vote the people of Malta made an historic decision for the accession of their country to the large European family.''

''We believe the referendums that will be held shortly in other candidate-countries will be just as positive, so that the enlargement process and their accession to the EU can advance unimpeded,'' Papandreou concluded.

[11] Turkish war-jets harass Israeli C-130 within Athens' FIR

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

The C-130 took off from the Rhodes airport and it was on a training flight, part of a Greek-Israeli defense agreement.

The Turkish F-16s were intercepted by Greek war-jets.

Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated that the unpleasant actions of the neighboring country always include the danger of accidents, adding that such behavior does not coincide with the behavior of civilized countries. He also noted that such actions were conflicting with the statements of the Turkish leadership that expressed the will for improvement of bilateral relations. Papantoniou underlined that he had not yet received an answer from his Turkish counterpart on the issue.

[12] Prosecutor dismisses claims that 'N17' crimes 'political'

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

In a later development, the prosecutor in the case expectedly called on the three-judge appellate court trying the case to reject standing defense motions requesting that the trial be shifted to a first instance jurisdiction, thereby allowing for a mixed panel of jurists and jurors to issue a verdict.

The prosecutor also said “N17’s” crimes can in no way be characterized as “political”.

“Can a democratic Constitution consider a crime that aims at its abolition as preferential? Of course not, and any other thought violates democracy,” prosecutor Christos Lambrou stressed.

To make his point, he said the April 21, 1967 coup leaders were tried in Greece seven years later in 1974 for numerous felonies but not political crimes.

Witnesses: In terms of witnesses, most of the prosecution’s did not attend Tuesday’s proceedings, although several family members of victims were in the specially modified jail room courthouse at Korydallos prison.

Attorneys for some of the defendants, however, failed to announce defense witnesses. Those defendants included the Xiros brothers, reputed “N17” operations chief Dimitris Koufodinas and the so-called “Thesprotia group” of cousins.

Attorneys for alleged “N17” leader Alexandros Giotopoulos, aka Michel Economou, are expected to call about 35 witnesses, many of them French citizens.

French Euro-MP Alain Krivine, meanwhile, is expected to be amongst the 30 defense witnesses called for accused “N17” suspect Theologos Psaradellis.

Another noteworthy defense witness is former minister and veteran PASOK deputy Evangelos Yiannopoulos, who was announced by the defense team for Yiannis Serifis, the only one of the defendants free on bail.

In his opening statement before the court, the lead attorney for Giotopoulos said his client disagreed with the notorious terrorist group’s practices, saying, “November 17’s actions were in opposition to the traditional left’s perception about armed violence. And that’s where Alexandros Giotopoulos disagrees.”

Giotopoulos had maintained his innocence since his arrest last July.

Earlier, the same lawyer, Yiannis Rahiotis, called the group “part of an attacking left. It is the hunted that decides to become the hunter”.

"...Call it a crime, but also call it a political crime,” he said in promoting a basic line of all the defense attorneys, namely, that the trial should be heard by a panel of jurists and jurors instead of the current three-member panel of appellate judges.

Finally, in a rare outbreak of courtroom decorum to date, an attorney representing several foreign victims of “November 17” caused a verbal reaction by Koufodinas when he lambasted claims that the terror band’s actions were politically motivated.

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? I would be ashamed,” Ilias Anagnostopoulos said in an opening statement.

He pointed to the murders of two drivers of assassination targets as well as a super market robbery pinned on the shadowy ultra-leftist group.

“If some of these people had the audacity to commit (these acts) why now do they not have the courage to say so?” he added.

“Haven’t you ever heard of collateral losses?” Koufodinas, a self-described beekeeper, retorted.

In response, a defense attorney for Koufodinas, Ioanna Kourtovik, noted that the defense side has attempted to keep proceedings calm, to which Anagnostopoulos shot back:

“You don’t have any dead. What heated tones can you have?” he asked.

[13] Greek student accused of breaking British anti-terror law indicted

LONDON 12/03/2003 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Dousemetzis will be tried by a higher court.

The state supported that the actions of the Greek student are not a threat for public order and the life of persons, but the fixation of Dousemetzis on terrorist organizations and his sympathy for the aims of ''November 17'' terrorist group, could cause illegal actions in the future.

The state also supported that Dousemetzis traveled to Lebanon and had contacts with the Hezbolah, Al Fatah, and Hamas organizations, while objects that incriminate the student include two seals with the star and logo of ''N 17'' and a proclamation of ''N17'' to which the Greek student had added his prologue.

The lawyer defending Dousemetzis supported that the student collected material for ''N17'' for this dissertation and to impress his English girlfriend.

Greek General Consul in London Alexis Hatzimichalis was present during the court hearing and met with him for a half-hour. The Consul said that he asked Dousemetzis if he needed any assistance and according to him the student did not express any complaints or problems concerning the conditions of his jailing.

In a related development ''Scotland Yard'' representatives apologized for not informing the Greek embassy in London about the arrest of the Greek student.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas noted that the British authorities did not inform the Greek anti-terrorist squad of the arrest either, while stressing the presence of the Greek consul in the hearing.

[14] Current FYROM ambassador in U.S. new representative in talks on name issue

SKOPJE 12/03/2003 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

According to ''government sources'' quoted by the newspaper, the appointment of Dimitrov was jointly decided by the government and FYROM's president.

FYROM's former representative in the talks, Ivan Tosevski, resigned at the end of last month, accusing President Boris Trajkovski of harming the country's prestige with his latest moves on the name issue (with an initiative on creating a group of experts).

[15] Greece to keep economic policy stable

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

"I believe that by keeping economic policy stable and implementing all that we have decided, while simultaneously being on the alert for international developments, we can and will absorb current adverse circumstances, as well as consolidate the climate of growth in which the country finds itself," Christodoulakis said.

He was speaking after a meeting on the economy with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

[16] Greece to speed up merger between EBO and PYRKAL

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, speaking to reporters after a meeting with Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to discuss the future of the Greek defense industry, said that all large defense industries were currently undergoing restructuring programs aimed to increase their participation in the domestic production. The meeting also discussed a plan for cooperation between Olympic Airways' technical department with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB).

Mr Christodoulakis also stressed that the Skaramanga and Elefsis shipyards were also implementing restructuring plans.

[17] Greek unemployment falls to 9.7 pct in 2002

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

NSS said that the average unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent in 2002 from 10.5 percent in the previous year and stressed that Greek unemployment has fallen by two percentage points since 1999.

The statistics service said that the unemployment rate for men fell to 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter 2002 from 7.5 percent in the same period in 2001, while it dropped to 14.6 percent for women from 16.1 percent, over the same period.

From a total of 428,000 registered unemployed people in the country, 163,700 (or 38 percent of total) said they wished to

return to full employment jobs, while 54.4 percent said they were willing to accept part-time jobs.

The number of unemployed youths totalled 171,800 last year, down 33,200 (or -16 percent) compared with 2001, while the number of long-term unemployed people totalled 225,250, off 11,400 (or -4.8 percent) over the same period.

The regions of Ionian Islands and Thessaly recorded the biggest percentage decline in the unemployment rate in the October-December 2002 period, while the Northern Aegean region recorded the biggest percentage increase.

NSS said that total employment rose 2.7 percent in the last quarter of 2002, compared with the same period in 2001, the highest rate since 1998. The part-time employment rate rose to 4.5 percent last year from 3.8 percent in 2001.

[18] Greece, Turkey to debate closer business ties Wednesday

ANKARA 12/03/2003 (ANA/A.Ambatzis)

Head of the Greek delegation to the Greek-Turkish ministerial committee meeting will be Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos.

The committee first met in Athens on February 12-13 when it signed a memorandum of cooperation.

An aim of the committee is to secure the abolition of double taxation.

[19] Bidders submit final offers in Athens 2004 Olympics security tender

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

The frontrunner SAIC group offered 278 million euros to assume the project while Telemachus (TRS), which came second, bid 264 million euros.

In a letter to the national defense and public order ministries, TRS also said it could complete the work in less than 12 months.

Insiders said that the government could informally ask SAIC to match TRS' lower offer.

[20] Delay in tourist bookings for 2003 amid Iraq war fears

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

''Certainly there will be a slowdown, a later start for the tourism market, although the season's peak will be little affected,'' Tsohatzopoulos said in Berlin on the sidelines of a world tourism trade fair.

''There will, however, be a shortage in April and May, which we hope can be made up at the end of the year, in the ensuing months, so that we secure a favorable average,'' Tsohatzopoulos said.

[21] Greek stocks plunge 2.52 pct on Tuesday

Athens, 12/03/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 2.52 percent lower at 1,501.90 points, with turnover a low 78.6 million euros.

The IT Solutions, IT, Publication, Cement and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (6.53 percent, 6.26 percent, 6.17 percent, 5.10 percent and 4.72 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 3.0 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 2.75 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 3.79 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 3.05 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 314 to 21 with another 16 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 56.7 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: