Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: The government stands rock firm against corruption

[02] PM to visit Scandinavian capitals this week

[03] Greek EU presidency - a flurry of meetings scheduled in May

[04] Cyprus spokesman denies plans for official Greece-Cyprus committee

[05] FM and U.S. ambassador discuss Iraq, Greek-U.S. relations

[06] Deputy FM Magriotis visits Georgia, announces measures for Greek community

[07] Skandalidis, Bekou give press conference in view of equality congress

[08] Papandreou visits Greek EU Presidency offices

[09] Coalition party leader meets Syrian ambassador to Athens

[10] ATHOC unveils 2004 Olympic ticketing programs

[11] Contract to finally rebuild Karaiskaki for 2004 Games signed

[12] Eleven Greek writers participating in book issued by ATHOC press office

[13] Witness to N17 hit '100 percent sure' he saw Koufodinas, Tzortzatos

[14] Sweep for illegals in E. Macedonia, Thrace region

[15] Education ministry tables bill for public library system

[16] Cyprus-Greece: Identity of views

[17] FM Iacovou to announce measures for Turkish Cypriots in May

[18] President Papadopoulos to visit Athens May 26

[19] Cypriot Spokesman says new legal and political circumstances created

[01] PM: The government stands rock firm against corruption

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

He was referring to a recent spate of articles published by the Athens newspaper ''Avriani'' which made allegations about suspicious dealings between one minister and a company that won a lucrative government contract and raised questions about the large gains made by certain ministers and MPs on the stock market.

Simitis referred to a ''bad domestic climate'' that was fuelled by these charges and accusations and made it clear that the government would be ruthless in stamping out corruption and would always support legality with the help of state institutions.

Independent justice would be the one to judge the merit of these allegations and do its duty, he added.

All political figures had a personal career and responsibility and were daily judged by all of us, provided we could discern the essential truth from the effort to create impressions, he said.

The government was determined to protect the country's steady and smooth progress and did not concern itself with clashes between business interests, Simitis said.

''We will continue the country's upward progress with goals, values and principles,'' he underlined.

Gov't denies that 'Avriani' allegations are a source of concern: There was no issue that threatened the government, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Monday regarding a series of articles by the Athens newspaper 'Avriani' making potentially damaging allegations about members of the ruling PASOK government.

''The war of clashing business interests is visible but I cannot be the one to say whether it is become an object of political exploitation. You must be the judge of that,'' Protopapas told reporters during Monday's regular press briefing.

He also said that Minister of State Stefanos Manikas and PASOK MP Mihalis Neonakis, the last to be targeted by the paper for their activity and large winnings on the Athens Stock Exchange, enjoyed the full support and confidence of Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Noting that the prime minister had already made statements on this issue, the spokesman said that the government would not hesitate to take additional measures if necessary and stressed that Simitis ''always speaks for transparency and legality''.

He also noted that a large number of MPs from all parties had dabbled in the stock market before the government introduced a law that made such activity by members of government illegal three years earlier and that the specific MPs had declared all their earnings from the stock market in the annual ''statement of means'' document required of all parliamentary deputies.

Regarding insinuated claims by the paper that Deputy Public Order Minister Evangelos Malesios had interceded on behalf of a prominent Greek company that was awarded a lucrative Olympics security contract, the spokesman denied that any member of the government had tried to influence the assignment of the contract or that such intervention would have been accepted by the defense ministry.

The paper's revelations that Malesios was living rent-free in a Melissia apartment belonging to Altec owner Thanassis Athanasopoulos prompted him to resign his post in the government, saying he wanted to concentrate on a slander suit that he intended to press against the newspaper.

'Avriani' owner Giorgos Kouris has openly admitted that his crusade initially began as an attempt to dig up the dirt against his former business partner Athanasoulis after they fell out over the television station Alter. The same newspaper was also responsible for bringing to light the alleged stock market scandal involving the company.

[02] PM to visit Scandinavian capitals this week

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Prior to his departure, the Greek premier held talks with his staff to prepare for the visit, Protopapas said.

On his return from the trip on Thursday, Simitis is due to meet Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to discuss the Cyprus issue, relations between Greece and Turkey and European Union issues.

At noon, Simitis will meet Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis before departing for to Korakohori in Ilia for the Greek Orthodox Easter break.

Protopapas said the PM was due back in Athens on May 1 for an informal meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whom he will meet formally on May 2 at 9:00 with the leadership of the foreign ministry, followed by a meeting at 13:00 with Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

Finally, the spokesman announced that Simitis was due to depart on a tour of new EU members Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia on May 6.

[03] Greek EU presidency - a flurry of meetings scheduled in May

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

The Foreign Ministers Council that will be held from 2 to 4 May on the Greek Aegean island of Kastelorizo will be followed by the Education and Culture Ministers Council on 5 and 6 May in Brussels, and the Justice and Internal Affairs Ministers Council on 8 May also in Brussels.

The Competitiveness Council will be held on 12 and 13 May in Brussels, while the informal Agriculture Ministers Council will be held on the same dates on the Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea. Two informal ministerial meetings have been scheduled for 16 and 17 May, one for regional policy in the northern Greek peninsula of Halkidiki and a second on Shipping to be held ''at sea'' between the Greek Aegean islands of Santorini and Patmos.

The second Competitiveness Ministers Council will be held in Brussels on 19 May, while an informal Culture Ministers Council will assemble in the northern Greek capital of Thessaloniki on 24 May.

The EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers will assemble in Brussels on 26 and 27 May, while the EU-Russia summit will take place in St. Petersburg on 31 May.

[04] Cyprus spokesman denies plans for official Greece-Cyprus committee

NICOSIA 22/04/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

He was commenting on the results of talks between Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Greek Prime Minister and current European Council President Costas Simitis, who carried out a two-day visit to Cyprus over the weekend.

Responding to questions regarding the creation of a Cyprus-Greece committee, the spokesman stressed the constant and continuing cooperation between the two governments and said there ''was no intention to create an institutional committee between the two.''

What was important was to continue seamless and complete cooperation between the two governments on EU issues and the Cyprus problem, he added.

[05] FM and U.S. ambassador discuss Iraq, Greek-U.S. relations

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters later on the future of Iraq, Miller said what is most important now is satisfying the needs of the people of Iraq, who will determine their future after a transitional period during which peace and stability will have been secured.

On the question of whether chemical weapons were found on Iraqi territory, Miller said it is still early for such a thing to become known.

The U.S. ambassador also referred to the turmoil being created by destruction and looting in Baghdad, saying those responsible should be brought to justice.

[06] Deputy FM Magriotis visits Georgia, announces measures for Greek community

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

A Greek Foreign Ministry announcement said on Monday that the program provides for the creation of new health centers, the teaching of the Greek language and culture and strengthening small community businesses in the region.

Magriotis made the relevant announcements in a meeting he had in Tiblis on Monday with Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili and Alternate Foreign Minister David Aptsiauri.

The Georgian foreign minister thanked Greece both for the bilateral aid it offers to Georgia and for its intervention during the Greek EU Presidency, in order for the European Union to also centre its attention on the region.

Menagarishvili also said that Greece is making every effort in order for an EU representative for the Caucasus to be appointed as soon as possible, describing as a very positive development the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU.

[07] Skandalidis, Bekou give press conference in view of equality congress

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

The minister was speaking during a joint press conference with General Secretary for Equality Efi Bekou, in view of a European Congress on “Gender and the Society of Information”, to be held in Athens May 5 and 6.

Main topics in the event’s agenda include the promotion of women’s participation in key positions in the Technology, Information and Communications sectors, and women’s low participation in education and training in Information Technology.

According to data cited by Bekou, women’s participation in Technology, Information and Communications on a European level ranges between 25 percent and 40 percent, with major deviations detected on country level.

To be able to boost women’s participation in employment to equal levels with men by the year 2010, special European policies must be worked out to facilitate women’s involvement in new technologies and the Society of Information, Bekou said.

Skandalidis also referred to the informal EU council on equality, to be held in Greece in the early days of June, which will record all equality-related issues which form the basis of recommendations to the Thessaloniki EU Council.

[08] Papandreou visits Greek EU Presidency offices

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

“You have done a faultless job and this reflects an image of Greece and, of course, Europe, at a crucial time. I would like to thank you all on behalf of the (Foreign) Ministry leadership,” Papandreou told the staff.

[09] Coalition party leader meets Syrian ambassador to Athens

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Ayubi added that Syria is always prepared for a dialogue with the United States, adding that Damascus welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's intention to visit her country.

Constantopoulos reiterated his opposition to the war against Iraq, as well as his opposition to threats against Syria. He expressed his party's solidarity to the people of Syria and announced that he gladly accepted an invitation for a visit to Syria by a Coalition party delegation.

Ayubi also expressed her thanks to Greece, the political parties and the government for their position on Arab issues.

[10] ATHOC unveils 2004 Olympic ticketing programs

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

ATHOC officials, including Executive Director Marton Simitsek, said the public would be able to purchase tickets in all price categories and for all sessions of all Olympic sports. The primary goal of the ticketing program, officials said, is to maximize sales and public participation throughout the duration of the Games.

A total of 5.3 million tickets will be available for sale. Of those, at least three million will be made available to the general public directly from ATHOC. All European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) residents have equal access in the ticketing process, while ticket sales will begin simultaneously and with the same conditions in all EU and EEA countries.

Ticket prices for the 2004 Olympic Games include free transportation with the greater Athens area’s public transportation system, both to and from all competition venues.

Meanwhile, ATHOC officials said corporate demand has surpassed all expectations. The initial ticket allocation process for sponsors, National Olympic Committees, international federations, broadcasters and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has already been completed. The initial allocation was made on a 1:1 ticket ratio (popular sports: less popular sports) and totals 60 million euros, which represents 33 percent of the total projected income of the ticketing program.

An official ticket sales guide including prices, competition schedule and an application form, will be distributed free of charge through all Greece-based Alpha Bank branches from May 2, 2003 as well as in newspapers on May 4, 10 and 11, 2003.

Anyone interested in ordering tickets must complete their form and submit it June 12, 2003 at any of the 420 Alpha Bank branches across the country.

Ticket orders will also be accepted electronically through the official ticketing website http://www.athens2004.com/tickets/en/, where there is information available in three languages (Greek, English and French) and which offers citizens of Greece, the European Union and the European Economic Area the opportunity to order tickets.

With the submission of the application form, the type of payment must be specified. Acceptable forms of payment are either cash, Visa credit card or an Alpha Bank account. Only in the case of cash payment the total amount of the order is paid in advance.

In each case where demand exceeds supply of available tickets, a random-selection awarding process will be held through ticketing system software. This ticketing system software ensures that the random selection is fair, transparent and reliable. The random selection process will be completed by end July 2003.

According to ATHOC, the random selection process is standard practice and has been used for the past three Olympic Games (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Salt Lake City 2002) and in other major sporting events, such as the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Moreover, by September 2003, all ticket applicants will receive through post a confirmation letter with the allocation of their tickets.

It is also possible to order tickets through the official ticketing website

 HYPERLINK "http://www.athens2004.com/tickets/en/"
http://www.athens2004.com/tickets/en/

[11] Contract to finally rebuild Karaiskaki for 2004 Games signed

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Karaiskaki, named after a Greek independence hero, fell into disrepair over the past few years, with its most lucrative tenant, the popular Olympiakos pro football team, opting for other, more modern venues – including the OAKA stadium before it closed down for renovations prior to the Athens Games. The venue passed from the Hellenic Olympic Committee (EOE) to the state-run General Sports Secretariat before being awarded to the amateur Olympiakos club as part of a 49-year-old concession.

Olympiakos has promised to demolish and rebuild the venue based on FIFA and IOC specifications with its own resources, as the new stadium is slated to host the soccer finals.

In comments on Monday, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos – whose ministry oversees much of the 2004 preparations on the government’s side – referred to a “crystal clear contract” that will both benefit the coming Olympic Games as well as the historic Piraeus club, owned by one of the wealthiest men in the country, IT and telecommunications magnate Socrates Kokkalis.

[12] Eleven Greek writers participating in book issued by ATHOC press office

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

The 11 writers reflect in the 11 novels the way with which they experienced the paramount sporting event. For the first time the modern-day Olympic Games and their significance are registered in a collective work.

The book is titled ''Olive Branches and Wreaths'' and is yet another aspect of the Games' promotion by ATHOC.

[13] Witness to N17 hit '100 percent sure' he saw Koufodinas, Tzortzatos

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Describing the hit on the former MP in December 1992 before the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court, witness Georgios Voutzalis said he was absolutely certain that Vassilis Tzortzatos was the man he had seen shooting at Papadimitriou from the left side of the car and that Dimitris Koufodinas was the driver of the car the terrorists used to get away.

He said a third man shooting at the MP from the right side of the vehicle was very probably Savvas Xiros. Voutzalis was a neighbor of the former MP and had witnessed the attack from within his house.

His testimony was strongly contested by Koufodinas, while the defense for Tzortzatos and Koufodinas claimed there were ''strong indications'' that the witness had perjured himself and asked that he be prevented from leaving the courtroom.

The request was denied by the court that allowed the witness to depart and said his testimony would be judged in reference to the rest of the proceedings.

Earlier on, the court heard testimony from Maria Vlahou, who was unable to identify any of the suspects, and Papadimitriou himself.

Questioned about the group's motives in attacking the former New Democracy MP, Koufodinas said the attack targeted the privatization policy introduced by former premier Constantine Mitsotakis and considered Papadimitriou ''jointly responsible for selling off the productive wealth of the country'' due to his position at the head of Parliament's economic affairs committee.

Koufodinas also earned himself a reprimand from the court for making denigrating remarks about the former premier.

Last on the witness stand was Emmanuel Kypreos regarding the rocket attack on the television channel Mega in 1995, with which the court will continue on Tuesday.

[14] Sweep for illegals in E. Macedonia, Thrace region

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Some 45 grams of heroin, seven grams of hashish as well as various weapons were also confiscated.

In unrelated raids in the same region, police seized 23 computers used as illegal electronic slot machines, with six store owners arrested as well.

[15] Education ministry tables bill for public library system

Athens, 22/04/2003 (ANA)

Entitled "National Library of Greece, public libraries and other ordinances", the bill creates a public-sector legal entity called "National Library of Greece" with a mandate to gather, organize and make available to the public all manner of written works of science and of the arts and letters that are related to Greece. It also allows the creation of public libraries based in municipalities, municipal divisions and communities throughout the country.

The bill foresees an annual budget of 8.7 million euros, the bulk of which will be used to cover the cost of additional jobs within the newly formed organizations, public library system and related teaching positions. Part of this sum will also seek to legalize expenditure already made for Panhellenic School Arts Competitions in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 and sums already paid for the salaries and transport costs of teachers to Greek-speaking schools abroad.

[16] Cyprus-Greece: Identity of views

NICOSIA 22/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on Simitis' 24-hour visit, the spokesman welcomed the enthusiasm which the people of Cyprus greeted the prime minister.

Answering questions on the setting up of a committee between Cyprus and Greece, Chrisostomides said ''we ascertain identity of views between the governments of Cyprus and Greece both on issues concerning strategy regarding the EU and the course to solve the Cyprus problem.''

Regarding the committee, Chrisostomides explained cooperation between the two governments is constant and ''there is no intention to create a statutory committee between the two, the cooperation exists and continues.''

What is important, he added, is to continue the full cooperation between the two governments on various issues concerning the EU and the Cyprus question.

Chrisostomides said Simitis' visit was successful and referred to the enthusiasm which the people of Cyprus welcomed the Greek premier and his entourage, explaining that the visit was ''the culmination of a course which was fulfilled with the Accession Treaty and the first visit of the President of the European Council to Cyprus from the ten countries which are acceding the EU.''

[17] FM Iacovou to announce measures for Turkish Cypriots in May

NICOSIA 22/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman said Foreign Minister George Iacovou would announce the measures in the first two weeks of May, noting however that the measures are still being examined.

Asked if the different views among the Turkish Cypriots will be taken into consideration, Chrisostomides replied ''all views will be taken into account, including the views of the EU.''

The spokesman said that the measures for the Turkish Cypriots would be discussed with EU Chief Negotiator with Cyprus Leopold Maurer on Wednesday.

Chrisostomides said Maurer's visit to Cyprus was not taking place solely for the measures, noting that it was natural for the measures to be discussed ''without the EU commenting in favor or against them but just discussing the details of their implementation.''

''The measures under discussion will indicate the government policy for cooperation with Turkish Cypriots, to create the conditions, which will allow for further joint efforts to solve the Cyprus problem with all the forces seeking together an end to the occupation,'' he added.

Asked if the government will wait until the so-called ''elections'' in the occupied areas take place first, the spokesman said ''cooperation with Turkish Cypriots and the government's intention do not depend on the internal proceedings in the Turkish Cypriot community.''

[18] President Papadopoulos to visit Athens May 26

NICOSIA 22/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides announced on Monday that the meeting would be held in the presence of EU officials and perhaps Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen.

[19] Cypriot Spokesman says new legal and political circumstances created

NICOSIA 22/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)

He made this statement when invited to comment on a reference made by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in an article on ''new legal and political circumstances that have been created.''

Chrisostomides said the Annan peace plan is being examined under the light of the new circumstances, noting that these (the legal and political circumstances) were already examined ''and from what it looks like, this was the common policy of the governments of Greece and Cyprus.''

The spokesman said the signing by the Republic of Cyprus, of the Accession Treaty to the EU is something, which changes the circumstances as regards to the Annan plan, which provided for the birth of a new state.

''All these should be taken into account with a number of other issues, such as the signing of the Accession Treaty, the fact that no longer there is co-presidency, and other issues,'' Chrisostomides said.

The spokesman reiterated that the Annan plan is a basis for negotiations for a Cyprus settlement.

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