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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: enhanced UN role, EU autonomy, cooperation relation with US

[02] DM Papantoniou confers with US nat'l security advisor Rice on Iraq, EU-US ties

[03] Athens: Participation in any common defense initiative only after EU presidency

[04] PM discusses common EU defense policy with three EU leaders

[05] FM meets French counterpart ahead of Powell's Brussels visit Thursday

[06] Cyprus issue must be solved within UN framework, PM says

[07] Greece announces EU troika-Powell meeting on Thursday

[08] Colin Powell says in message a strong Europe a good development

[09] Former U.S. official refers to 'diplomatic debris' over Iraq

[10] Bakoyianni stresses need for united and powerful Europe

[11] Convention on future of Europe to present its 'first conclusions' in April

[12] Italy seeks EU ministers' council on common foreign policy

[13] PASOK secretary, European socialists leader condemn Iraq war

[14] PM and interior minister discuss hirings and transfers in public sector

[15] EU declaration on violations of freedom of expression in Belarus

[16] National Bank says domestic banking system stable

[17] Greek tourism ad campaign to begin in May

[18] Greeks increase their savings accounts assets in 2002

[19] Balkan tourism companies form federation

[20] ASE follows international markets higher on Wednesday

[21] ATHOC: 68,000 applications by would-be volunteers submitted

[22] New 'Olympic Store' inaugurated in Athens on Wednesday

[23] Eyewitness stands by recognition of 1 'N17' defendant; defense attorneys react

[24] Press briefing at foreign ministry over humanitarian aid to Iraq

[25] Draft bill to introduce tougher penalties for immigrant smuggling

[26] Denktash says his ideas could initiate dialogue on Cyprus

[27] National Council to reply to Denktash letter

[28] National Council reviews developments

[01] PM: enhanced UN role, EU autonomy, cooperation relation with US

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

Referring to events in Iraq, Simitis stressed that the war should end the soonest possible and called on the international community to mobilize in order to avert the danger of a humanitarian disaster.

With regard to Iraq's future, the Greek prime minister said that peace and democracy should be reinstated, that the country's borders should be secured and also that Iraq should cease being a threat hotbed.

Simitis made special mention to international legality and the UN, underlining that international legality should be supported by all sides and that this was the reason why the UN should be of decisive importance in post-war Iraq.

The prime minister warned of the threat of renewed clashes and crises in the event of post-war management of issues by any of the warring sides, which he said would preclude much needed cooperation with the Arab world.

Simitis rejected the idea of implementing in Iraq the model that was used in Afghanistan after the war in that country, and warned that if the parties responsible for the reconstruction were identified with the invaders in the eyes of the Iraqis and the Arab world, this would undermine reconstruction, it would lead to new discord and would create new problems.

An enhanced UN post-war role, he said, would contribute to averting bursts of nationalism or territorialism, as well as further alienation of the Iraqi people from forming their future, which would indirectly lead to fueling terrorism.

He referred to the unification process and the global role of Europe, stressing that such process should proceed through the reinforcement of internal institutions so as to boost its presence and influence in international relations.

More specifically, the Greek prime minister said he had already made some proposals regarding a consolidated EU legal entity that would enable the bloc to conclude international treaties on external policy issues.

He referred to the need to promote an enhanced cooperation in the framework of external policy, and said he supported the extension of the enhanced cooperation into the field of civil defense.

With regard to the impression of division currently given by the EU, Simitis said it was owed to the diversion in views among the bloc's members regarding relations with the US.

He said Europe should constitute an autonomous pole and based on such autonomy it should develop its external policy and its defense and security policy, at the same time maintaining a relation of understanding and cooperation with the US, adding that this was a position supported by other countries such as France and Germany while others, such as the UK, Spain and Portugal supported a different position based on the belief that the US had a central role in the region's strategy and therefore the transatlantic relations should be safeguarded.

The prime minister said that this issue should be resolved to enable the Union to clarify its external policy and that this discussion could take place within the framework of the intergovernmental conference on the Future of Europe.

He also referred to the political situation in Greece, stressing that for the first time in its recent history the country was completing three decades of smooth political life, with the ''turning of the last pages'' of the period following the restoration of democracy in Greece.

In the early 90's, he said, an ambitious modernization effort was launched in Greece designed to promote reforms throughout all sectors of the political, economic and social life, while the Greek political reality was characterized by the European direction of the country and its active participation at all levels within the EU.

Greece: UN the only guarantee for success of reconstruction efforts in Iraq: A spokesman of the government of Greece, which currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Wednesday warned against the danger entailed in the identification of invaders with those that undertake post-war reconstruction in Iraq and said that only the United Nations could guarantee the success of such reconstruction efforts.

Replying to questions with regard to an article published by the British press that Iraq would come under US administration after the war, Christos Protopapas stressed that ''the UN was the only guarantee of the effort'', adding that Greece was not in any type of dispute with the American people or the US state, however it disapproved of the specific political choice.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell last week said that the US would not cede control of Iraq to the UN if and when it overthrew the Baghdad regime.

Finally, Protopapas said the initiative undertaken by UNICEF for the protection of Iraq's cultural heritage was ''positive''.

Papandreou-Annan discuss developments in Iraq: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, European Union Council of Ministers president in-office, on Tuesday had a telephone contact with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to discuss developments in Iraq and the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the embattled region, a Greek foreign ministry press announcement said on Wednesday.

During their discussion, Papandreou reiterated to the UN chief the Union's position regarding the UN's role in Iraq, and the two men reviewed ways for an EU-UN cooperation to confront humanitarian problems created by the war in Iraq, the announcement said.

[02] DM Papantoniou confers with US nat'l security advisor Rice on Iraq, EU-US ties

WASHINGTON 03/04/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

During the 45-minute discussion, Papantoniou stressed the need for UN involvement in the flow of humanitarian assistance to Iraq, as well as in the post-war developments, opining that this would afford the necessary international legitimacy and allow Iraq to walk ''the road of democracy in conditions of prosperity''.

In that context, he outlined the firm Greek stance, noting that Greece was implementing its military cooperation agreements with the US and NATO.

Papantoniou told reporters after the meeting that the two sides had expressed the wish to render possible a bridging of the differences between the EU and the US that arose over the Iraq issue, and noted that Rice expressed her support for the ''Greek (EU) presidency's program for building a European defense''.

The Greek defense minister, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, briefed Rice on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, and both sides expressed disappointment over the inability to find a solution to the island republic's political problem. They also expressed hope, according to Papantoniou, that a ''framework'' would arise again ''within which the (UN chief Kofi) Annan plan could form the basis for finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, which will, I believe, contribute decisively to a substantive improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey''.

Papantoniou expressed the view that there would be no significant development in the Cyprus issue before April 16 -- when the EU candidate countries approved for membership, among them Cyprus, are slated to sign the Act of Accession in Athens -- but added that efforts in that direction should be made immediately after the signing of the Act of Accession.

DM attends delivery ceremony for six F-16 Block 52+ warplanes in Dallas: Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou attended the delivery ceremony for the first F-16 Block 52+ warplanes in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, according to an announcement by the defense ministry.

''We are here with the Chief, officers and technicians of our Air Force to receive the first six F-16 warplanes which we have ordered in the framework of a big order for 60 aircraft, aimed at boosting the combat strength of the Greek Air Force,'' Papantoniou told reporters later.

Papantoniou said Greece continues to face a threat from the East, adding that maintaining a balance in the crucial space of the Aegean is of extremely great importance. He disclosed that delivery of the aircraft will be completed over the next 12 months.

The defense minister further noted that the policy of cooperation and friendship with Turkey is a steadfast policy, aimed in the long run for us not to have to obtain so many armaments and spend so much on defense.

''However, until we ascertain that the intentions of Turkey regarding Cyprus and the Aegean are not changing, we are obliged to maintain an extremely high combat strength and today's order and my presence here today for the delivery of the first aircraft is aimed precisely at this,'' he said.

[03] Athens: Participation in any common defense initiative only after EU presidency

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

Replying to questions by participants at the European Socialist Group meeting in Athens, Simitis said Greece has long supported the idea of an autonomous EU common defense policy, adding that he would discuss the issue with his German and Belgian counterparts as well as with the French president. Simitis said he would propose that a way should be found to bring the issue before European bodies.

Simitis said that up until now there was no specific text proposed on the part of Belgium and that the three countries were only now developing an agenda for future discussions, while nevertheless adding that Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is currently chairing the EU General Affairs Council, would attend the meeting of the three countries and would bring the issue before the informal foreign ministers council.

With regards to increases in the defense budget of Union members, Simitis said such expenses would obviously increase since, as he said, a strong foreign policy should have the means provided by a deterring force, adding that some EU states have already planned defense increases.

Regarding the application of a unanimous voting process, Simitis reiterated that this process should apply on issues involving vital national interests where member-states would have the right to exercise their veto, adding however that there were not that many issues involving vital national interests and that the rule of enhanced cooperation could apply in many defense policy issues.

Referring to the ''day after'' vis-a-vis Iraq and the management of post-war reconstruction efforts, the prime minister stressed that the question was not about ''who would pay'' or ''whether the EU would pay'', adding that Iraq was the one that would pay and as a matter of fact with oil.

Finally, Simitis pointed to three pre-conditions to avert negative post-war reactions within the Arab world, such as the settlement of the Palestinian question; avoidance of threats against other countries in the region and the assumption by the UN of crisis management after the end of the war.

[04] PM discusses common EU defense policy with three EU leaders

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

Simitis discussed with them the initiative by the three countries to raise the issue of the creation of a common European Union defense policy. To this end, the three have agreed to examine the issue at a meeting they will be having in Brussels on April 29.

According to reports, Simitis views the initiative positively and told the three that the issue should be raised and discussed at EU agencies.

Earlier, Simitis had mentioned at a meeting of the European Parliament's Socialist Group that Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in his capacity as Council president, would raise the issue at the informal Council of Foreign Ministers on May 2.

The same reports said that the three European leaders accepted Simitis' remarks and informed him that they are already examining ways of raising the issue at the EU's agencies.

[05] FM meets French counterpart ahead of Powell's Brussels visit Thursday

PARIS 03/04/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

Iraq, relations with the Arab-Moslem world, the role of the United Nations and Europe's relations with the United States as well the initiatives which must be taken for the development of Europe's defense were the issues which preoccupied the two ministers during their meeting which lasted for over an hour.

Following the meeting, Papandreou told reporters that he had an in-depth discussion with de Villepin and underlined the common concern with regard developments in Iraq and the dangers of radicalism and instability in the broader region.

''The problem is not how a war is won but how peace is won,'' Papandreou said.

Asked by the ANA what approach will be followed so as to convince Powell of the necessity of the UN's role in the reconstruction of Iraq, Papandreou said:''We will be honest and clear in our positions but also about our concern which is substantial. We believe that the presence of an American general in command in Iraq, is completely different from the existence of an Iraqi government or a procedure under the UN, for a transitional period.''

''The acceptance by the Iraqi people but also by the Arabs in the region and in neighboring states will be different,'' the Greek minister said, adding that the slogan ''Iraq belongs to the Iraqis'' is a very current slogan.

[06] Cyprus issue must be solved within UN framework, PM says

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

Simitis said that his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan had asked to meet him in Belgrade on the sidelines of the Balkans Conference on April 9 for talks about Cyprus but the Greek premier made it clear that such a meeting, if it took place, would not be confined to the Cyprus issue.

The political problem on Cyprus was an issue to be discussed by the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities on the island and, as Greek premier, he could do no more than express his opinion, Simitis stressed.

In his speech to the European socialist group, Simitis said that Greece and Cyprus had worked and would continue to work for a solution of the political problem that was just, viable and functional. He blamed the Turkish-Cypriot side for the failure of the peace plan presented by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, saying that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash did not want the present situation to change and implying that this attitude was not shared by the majority of the Turkish-Cypriot community.

Referring to bilateral relations with Turkey, the Greek premier said that Greece supported Turkey's European orientation and that Turkey's European prospects and its acceptance of European laws and regulations were the best possible guarantee for the prosperity of the Turkish people and for the preservation of peaceful relations with Turkey's neighbors.

Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris later confirmed that Greece had counter proposed talks on all issues under discussion with Turkey, in response to Turkey's proposal for talks on the Cyprus issue in Belgrade.

''We will not only look at the Cyprus problem but at all issues that concern the two sides, such as the 'roadmap' for Turkey's accession to the EU,'' Hytiris clarified.

Greece was not prepared to participate in a bilateral meeting only on the Cyprus issue, which is being discussed within the United Nations, the spokesman stressed.

He also announced that Greece had rejected Ankara's proposal for a meeting between the three guarantor powers and the two communities on Cyprus to discuss the political problem, again stressing that this was an issue being handled by the U.N. and that any initiatives could only take place within a U.N. frame-work.

In the regular press briefing on Wednesday, meanwhile, government spokesman Christos Protopapas fielded questions regarding violations of Greek airspace by Turkish air force planes by saying that Athens would not ''be drawn by incidental moves''.

''We will decide for ourselves what to place emphasis on,'' Protopapas said.

Regarding a violation of Greek waters, the spokesman said it was a routine incident of the kind that often occurred on the sea borders between the two countries.

[07] Greece announces EU troika-Powell meeting on Thursday

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

He said the meetings between Powell and the European ministers and officials had been arranged at Washington's initiative, in what appeared to be a bid to mend Euro-Atlantic relations badly shaken by recent developments.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is head of the EU foreign ministers' council while Greece holds the rotating EU presidency and forms part of the EU troika alongside European External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten and EU High Representative for Common Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Javier Solana, is to travel to Paris on Wednesday evening for a meeting with his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin.

Hytiris stressed that the European Union insisted on the position agreed at the informal European Council of March 21 that Iraq's reconstruction should be handled within a United Nations framework.

Greek EU Presidency: EU enlargement on track

A Greek government spokesman on Wednesday said that European Union enlargement was on track despite objections manifested at the European Parliament.

''Enlargement must take place and I would like to believe that there will be no problems'', spokesman Christos Protopapas said.

''We are on a good track'' he added, referring to a meeting on Tuesday between delegations representing the European Parliament, the EU council of ministers and the European Commission.

The meeting failed to reach agreement on ways to solve problems related to the European Parliament regarding the accession of the new EU members.

Greece is currently holding the rotating EU presidency.

[08] Colin Powell says in message a strong Europe a good development

Athens, 03/04/2003 (ANA)

Focusing on the crisis in Iraq and relations between Europe and the United States, Powell said the hope of all is that cooperation between the two sides will remain strong.

''Even if disagreements appear, we remain one community and we become more effective when we look at problems together. Many countries have joined our coalition. Many agree, many disagree. There is cooperation and this is a healthy situation,'' he said in his message to the international conference

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