Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-03-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stepped up security, border patrols ordered throughout Greece

[02] FM: 'Honest dialogue' between EU, US now imperative

[03] EU talks on Iraq must focus on 'day after', FM says

[04] Simitis outlines Spring Council schedule to EU leaders

[05] Cox calls urgent Europarliament meeting to focus on Iraq

[06] Coalition party asks Parliament speaker to call special session on Iraq

[07] Greek EU presidency briefs US Senate subcommittee chairman on EU policies

[08] Gov't confirms closing of embassy in Baghdad

[09] Greece calls journalists, Greek nationals to quit Iraq

[10] EU must proceed with economic reforms despite slowdown, FinMin

[11] Simitis meets European employers’ association president

[12] ND leader and EU commissioner discuss enlargement and agriculture

[13] ND leader Karamanlis visits GNTO office in Brussels

[14] Greece. Germany discuss shipping

[15] Labor ministry tables bill in Parliament, changing regulations on employment

[16] Greek tourism ad campaign to begin in April

[17] Greek stocks end 0.33 pct up on Wednesday

[18] Budget for Athens' beautification prior to 2004 Games finalized

[19] Testimony of prosecution eyewitnesses continues at 'N17' trial

[20] Church of Greece offers prayer for peace in Iraq

[21] Ecumenical patriarch hopes war in Iraq is averted

[22] Protestors take over British Consulate in Thessaloniki

[23] "The Aegean of Coins" exhibition inaugurated at The Hague

[24] Greek justice minister in Brussels for LIBE Committee briefing

[25] Special program to provide access to places for disabled people

[26] Europarliament committee approves Cyprus' EU accession

[27] US asks Cyprus to use airspace, says foreign minister

[01] Stepped up security, border patrols ordered throughout Greece

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

Stepped up security at a handful of foreign diplomatic missions in the country, including the US, British and Israeli embassies, as well as around other possible targets has already been ordered.

Beefed up patrols at airports and stricter checking of passengers and luggage were also reported.

Meanwhile, law enforcement personnel have joined army patrols in the Evros border prefecture in northeastern Greece to prevent a possible wave of refugees the war zone from reaching the country’s territory via Turkey. Greece and Turkey’s only shared land borders are separated by the Evros River (Maritsa in Turkish) in the Thrace province – western Thrace belonging to Greece and eastern Thrace forming Turkey’s only European territory.

Increased coast guard and navy patrols in the Aegean are also aimed at preventing the sea borne transport of illegal immigrants to Greece or other EU destinations.

Finally, intelligence services are monitoring border posts around the east Mediterranean country in order to intercept possible terror suspects from entering the country, with a list of some 150 individuals -- mostly hailing from Arab countries -- reportedly being used. Finally, other reports stated some 200 individuals have been placed under surveillance in Greece itself.

Minister says civil protection apparatus alerted in light of Iraq developments: Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Paschalidis said on Wednesday the civil protection apparatus is being alerted, particularly in border regions, and particular attention is being placed on the issue of illegal immigration in light of developments in Iraq.

Paschalidis, who was speaking after meeting the new police general director of Thessaloniki Constantine Tzekis, said ''we are keeping calm, but we are obliged to take all necessary measures to handle whatever consequences might arise due to the developments.''

The minister also met with the administrations of the Thessaloniki Workers and Employees Centre and representatives of citizens' movements for talks on the hospitality framework for visitors and support for parallel events during the week the EU summit will be taking place.

Increased security measures & equipment at Athens' airport: The management of the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos installed three new more sensitive devices in locating explosives, while another five are on order, as part of a move to upgrade the security of the airport in light of the war in Iraq.

Additional security measures include increased patrolling by both vehicles and armed men, full checks of all vehicles and persons entering the tarpon of the airport, observation of airline offices and increased observation of spaces that are open to the public.

[02] FM: 'Honest dialogue' between EU, US now imperative

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

''We should have serious discussions about how and why we came to this point, as well as about the steps we should take from this point on,'' Papandreou said, before stressing the need for an ''honest dialogue'' on EU-US relations. He also added that this crisis should constitute the starting point for the enhancement of a common EU foreign and defense policy.

''We hope that this whole process will bring about a new spirit in Europe, boosting its will to play a more significant role in global developments'', he said. ''Until the first bomb is dropped in Iraq, the Greek presidency will do everything it can towards peace''.

He advised that the United Nations should be at the centre of developments even after the impeding war, coordinating reconstruction and humanitarian assistance efforts.

''Regardless of developments, our concern focuses on the Iraqi people, stability in the region and the peace process in the Middle East'', he noted.

Solana said it was very significant that 15 foreign ministers ''tonight gave the green light for the launch of the first EU military mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), where it will replace the corresponding NATO force.

''This is a very significant day for the development of the Union's military capabilities'', EU's chief diplomat said.

The 15 EU foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Serbia following the assassination of Serb Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, urging that country to boost its fight against organized crime and corruption, as well as to promote necessary reforms and develop closer ties with the EU.

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic was present at the General Affairs Council meeting.

[03] EU talks on Iraq must focus on 'day after', FM says

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

He also stressed that the EU would continue efforts to find a peaceful solution until the very last moment.

Diplomatic sources, meanwhile, said that the Greek EU presidency was already examining alternative texts of final conclusions for the spring EU summit that will begin in Brussels on Thursday.

According to the sources, there is already a text that is based on the assumption that the hostilities in Iraq will have started before the end of the summit on Friday. This places emphasis on the role that the U.N. will have to play after the fighting has ended.

A second alternative assumes that the military operation has not begun, in which case the Greek presidency wishes to emphasize the need to find a solution through peaceful means.

At a press conference held in Brussels earlier on Wednesday, the Greek foreign minister also confirmed that the president of the Convention for the Future of Europe, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, would not be briefing the '15' on the Convention's progress at the summit.

Papandreou said the postponement had been requested by Giscard d'Estaing but stressed that the time-frame for completing the Convention's work would be adhered to and that the briefing of EU leaders would take place on April 16, when they were gathered in Athens to sign accession treaties for the new EU member-states.

[04] Simitis outlines Spring Council schedule to EU leaders

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA - A.Simatos)

“The Iraq issue currently dominates the global agenda and consequently we should above all place emphasis on that specific issue,” premier Simitis says in his letter.

The letter also contains the schedule of meetings and deliberations to be held during the top European meeting.

The Council will open Thursday afternoon with a meeting and exchange of views with European Parliament President Pat Cox, to be followed by a discussion of the Iraq crisis, which would continue on during a working dinner to be attended by the Union’s 15 Foreign Ministers, with the latest developments in the Middle East and the Balkan to be also on the table.

At a separate working dinner also on Thursday evening, EU Finance Ministers are to hold a discussion on the global economic situation.

On Friday morning, the Council will open with a discussion of the Lisbon strategy by both foreign and finance ministers.

Issues to be looked into, according to Simitis, will relate to the so far achievements and difficulties in implementing the ten-year Lisbon strategy, adopted by the European Council in 2000.

“Three years after the adoption of the Lisbon strategy, we are facing an especially difficult and changing global economic and political environment,” Simitis stresses in the letter, adding that “within this context, it is imperative to reaffirm and support our policies for an economic and social reform and for a Europe of viable development that will create prosperity and job positions.”

At noon, the 15 EU leaders will have a luncheon together with the leaders of the 13 acceding countries, and discussion would focus on all issues that would have been debated by that time.

Two separate working dinners will be held in the evening, one of EU foreign ministers together with their counterparts of the 13 acceding nations, and the other of finance ministers with their acceding counterparts.

Issues to be on the table of the foreign ministers shall include latest developments in the Middle East, North Korea and Cyprus, while their economic counterparts would review structural reforms and better incorporation of Lisbon strategy targets into national policies of EU member-states and acceding countries.

Greece pledges not to let Iraq dominate the EU summit's agenda: EU president Greece vowed to do everything possible to preserve the European Council Spring Summit agenda and prevent the Iraq crisis from monopolizing discussions at Thursday's meeting of the EU's 15 leaders, a Greek government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the regular press briefing, Christos Protopapas said that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis would continue to fight his battle for the development and reinforcement of a common EU foreign and defense policy.

''Differences in views should not negate the potential to seek solutions and common initiatives'', Protopapas said, adding that the impending war was creating concerns over the ''day after''.

Replying to questions over the timetable for EU enlargement, he reiterated that the Accession Acts would be signed with the new member states on 16 April in Athens as scheduled.

Protopapas said Simitis had received a telephone call from Brussels on Tuesday night from French President Jacques Chirac, focusing on European Council issues.

Moreover, he confirmed that the French warship '' Charles de Gaulle'' was scheduled to anchor in Souda Bay, on the Greek island of Crete, on 21 March.

In his regular briefing from foreign press correspondents, meanwhile, Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris similarly stressed that every effort would be made to keep talks in Brussels focused on the socio-economic agenda agreed at Lisbon, though he did not rule the possibility that interest would focus on Iraq.

Another issue that would be raised at the spring summit was the stability pact, he added, though any changes made to this would be limited.

In response to questions about the progress of the Convention for the Future of Europe, following an announcement by its head Valery Giscard D'Estaing on Tuesday that he would postpone a briefing of the European Council, Hytiris confirmed that this might also lead to postponing the presentation of a text of proposals for a European 'constitution,' scheduled to occur at the Thessaloniki Summit.

Hytiris said there was a possibility the postponed briefing would take place on April 16, when all the EU leaders would be gathered in Athens for the signature of accession treaties but, if this effort failed, the text presented in Thessaloniki might well not be the final set of proposals.

[05] Cox calls urgent Europarliament meeting to focus on Iraq

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

The European Council and the European Commission will be represented at the highest levels at the meeting, which is not expected to adopt any resolutions.

The European Parliament president has invited Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, currently chairing the European Council, and European Commission President Romano Prodi to participate in discussions, the statement read.

[06] Coalition party asks Parliament speaker to call special session on Iraq

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

After his meeting with Kaklamanis, Constantopoulos said Parliament had to make its present felt among other mobilization against the war in Greek society. He also stressed that the "illegal" war in Iraq should not be facilitated in any way.

[07] Greek EU presidency briefs US Senate subcommittee chairman on EU policies

WASHINGTON 20/03/2003 (ANA-T. Ellis)

Greece's ambassador in Washington George Savvaides, who chairs the EU ambassadors to the US, and European Commission ambassador Guenter Burghardt briefed subcommittee chairman George Allen on the EU positions on a variety of issues.

On the matter of Iraq, Savvaides stressed that the EU countries agreed on the substance of the issue, namely Iraq's disarmament, but differed on the method of achieving that target.

Senator Allen said that there was much more uniting the US and the EU than dividing it, adding that, on the issue of Iraq, the US respected the decisions of its allies if they did not take part in the military operations.

Savvaides also noted that there were many margins for international cooperation in post-Saddam Iraq in order to secure that country's future as well as stability in the wider region of the Middle East.

The Greek envoy further outlined the importance of the EU's enlargement with 10 new countries, which would be signing the accession treaty on April 16 in Athens, and also the ongoing discussions on a new constitution for Europe.

Savvaides also briefed Allen on the goal for an EU common foreign and defense policy, as well as the importance of the EU-US summit scheduled for June 25 in Washington.

Burghardt, in turn, briefed the US official on the role the EU was playing in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, in the Balkans and in the Middle East, given that the European Union and its member states comprised the largest donor in humanitarian and developmental assistance internationally.

[08] Gov't confirms closing of embassy in Baghdad

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

[09] Greece calls journalists, Greek nationals to quit Iraq

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

He also announced that a press and media ministry mission had been sent to the area to assist Greeks in the region, which was now in Doha and would be moving between Kuwait and Qatar.

[10] EU must proceed with economic reforms despite slowdown, FinMin

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Mr Christodoulakis, who currently chairs the EU Finance ministers' council, said that despite a forthcoming crisis, the EU's heads of states and governments would focus their attention on a so-called Lisbon process, aimed to make the European Union the ''most competitive and dynamic economy in the world''. The issue will be discussed by EU leaders on Friday, after a previous discussion of developments in Iraq, the Greek minister said.

The EU's main goals were to boost economic growth and economic and social cohesion in the European Union. ''To achieve this goal,'' Mr Christodoulakis said, ''we must strengthen innovative business initiatives, to deepen internal market and to link regional European markets.''

The Greek minister stressed that the EU should take specific initiatives to promote economic reforms, to boost business culture in Europe and to support industrial research particularly in key sectors of the European economy.

Both the Greek minister and EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pedro Solbes acknowledged that there significant delays in directions agreed at a Lisbon Summit, although they stressed that these delays should become an incentive to strengthen EU member-states' efforts.

Mr Christodoulakis noted that an economic slowdown and any problems arising from an expected crisis in the Persian Gulf should not lead to a loosening of coordination of economic policies between member-states.

He stressed that the crisis should not lead to measures, such as energy tax cuts, by national governments.

Iraq crisis to have adverse impact on Greek economy, bank says: The Iraq crisis and a likely war on the Middle Eastern country will have an adverse impact on the Greek economy, blue-chip Alpha Bank said in weekly market report.

''In a period of slacker discipline in fiscal and incomes policy, a long-term war could in reality weaken the growth dynamic of the Greek economy,'' the report said.

''That is why goals of improving competitiveness and fiscal adaptation must return to centre stage as the top priority,'' it warned.

''Adverse repercussions from the climate of war in the Middle East have been accompanied by a cost to the Greek economy, which has appeared mainly as a rise in the price of products and services, or a reduction in demand for travel abroad or exported goods,'' according to Alpha's analysis department.

The report said that the cost to the small, exposed Greek economy could not be buffered through a further increase in domestic demand using the state budget and incomes policy.

''The problem of competitiveness would be exacerbated, given a rise in the euro and a shift in demand towards foreign products,'' it added.

[11] Simitis meets European employers’ association president

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA/C. Poulidou)

Simitis was handed a report on Lisbon targets progress prepared by EU member-states’ employers’ associations.

The meeting was attended by UNICE President Georges Jacobs and Vice-President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos.

[12] ND leader and EU commissioner discuss enlargement and agriculture

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

Karamanlis pointed to the great importance attached by his party to the sectors of agriculture, stockbreeding and fisheries, adding that opportunities existing for farmers and EU funds should be utilized which, as he said, is not taking place to an adequate degree at the government's responsibility.

The ND leader said the country cannot afford to lose funds and disclosed that he and Fischler also discussed the issues of compensation for farmers for natural disasters and the revision of Common Agricultural Policy.

[13] ND leader Karamanlis visits GNTO office in Brussels

BRUSSELS 20/03/2003 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

Karamanlis is in the Belgian capital to participate in Thursday's summit of the European Peoples' Party.

The director of the GNTO office briefed Karamanlis on the lack of tourism brochures at the office for regions such as the north Aegean, Sporades and the Peloponnese.

The ND leader stated that measures must be taken for the Greek economy which, as he said, is the most exposed and most vulnerable of the other European economies.

He noted that Greece is a safe destination, far away from the theatre of war operations, and reminded that Greece will host the Olympic Games in one and a half years time.

[14] Greece. Germany discuss shipping

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

Discussed were issues raised by Greece's six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, focusing on the withdrawal of single hull ships.

Also on the agenda were rules for the ship repair industry.

[15] Labor ministry tables bill in Parliament, changing regulations on employment

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

The bill mandates the establishment of a National Committee on Social Protection, which will conduct a dialogue on combatting poverty, it also mandates fines for private work placement offices that function without a license and creates an one time regulation for payment of back dues to pension funds for the self-employed.

The bill also changed the existing regulation allowing to newly hired personnel in businesses to take paid leave from work from the first year of employment, so that Greece may be in line with the rest of the European Union. Thus newly hired employees will have the right to take a day off from work for every month they work, before they complete their first year of employment. Meanwhile the bill increases the days allowed for maternity leave.

Also the bill mandates harsh penalties for the custodians and employers of persons under the age of 18.

Finally, the bill is dealing with the problems of the Social Security Foundation's network.

[16] Greek tourism ad campaign to begin in April

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

Addressing an annual general assembly of the union of restaurant-pastry shops owners, Mr Tsohatzopoulos stressed that the Greek economy was "shielded" and could deal with the Iraqi crisis.

Commenting on a likely impact in fuel supplies, the Greek minister said that the Greek market would not face any supply or unjustified price increases problems since the country's oil reserves could last 129 days.

[17] Greek stocks end 0.33 pct up on Wednesday

Athens, 20/03/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.33 percent to end at 1,543.29 points, with turnover a low 59.2 million euros.

The Holding, Construction and Cement sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.30 percent, 0.92 percent and 0.91 percent, respectively), while the parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks rose 0.91 percent. On the other hand, the Bank and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.66 percent and 0.59 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.05 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.95 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 1.13 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.31 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 221 to 87 with another 56 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 72.6 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: