Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-05-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says EU presidency and safeguarding national interests top priority for gov't

[02] ND spokesman accuses PM of avoiding probe of scandals by Parliament

[03] Greek and Japanese PMs to chair EU-Japan summit on Friday

[04] FM: resolution of Cyprus issue within UN framework a central objective

[05] Defense council discusses ministry finances, EU defense

[06] U.S. report says Greece has made progress in battle against terrorism

[07] Workers celebrate May 1st Labor Day with rallies

[08] ND: Corruption real and due to government actions and omissions

[09] Greek EU Presidency statement on Middle East ''Road Map''

[10] 'Green light' by the European Commission to Thessaloniki Metro contract

[11] OECD ministerial session examines growth prospects and third world investments

[12] Economic sentiment drops in Greece, improves slightly in EU, euro area

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stock send higher in lively trade

[14] Greece responds to quake hit Turkey, pledging aid

[15] Government seeks way out of Liosia dump crisis

[16] PM Simitis chairs meeting on course of 'Society of Information' program

[17] Common EU foreign policy finds largest support in Luxemburg, Greece, Italy

[18] Justice minister addresses European law conference

[19] Witnesses identify Xiros brothers as culprits in N17 armed robberies

[20] UN awards "1502" citizens service centers first prize

[21] Culture minister Venizelos in Cyprus for World Forum of Religions and Cultures

[22] Civil Society conference to be held in Athens on May 5-6

[23] NGO named to coordinate Iraq aid collection, distribution for local gov't

[24] Cyprus announces package of measures for Turkish Cypriots

[25] President appeals to Turkish side to heed people's message

[01] PM says EU presidency and safeguarding national interests top priority for gov't

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

The prime minister, who chaired a meeting of close associates of his on Wednesday night, indicated that in July he will be announcing the next targets of the government's work and proposals on modernizing the political system, adding that ''our steadfast target is holding elections in the spring of 2004.''

Simitis, referring to recent talk of scandals, said he will not bow to pressures and will not pardon anyone, whether he is a friend, associate or third person, but also warned that ''we shall not condemn on the occasion of suspicions, un-substantiated reports and extortionate exaggerations.''

''The government's immediate work is determined by what is necessitated by the country's interest. Greece's dominant obligation at this period is the European Union's presidency. Performing this obligation upgrades the country's prestige and increases its possibilities. Therefore, the presidency and safeguarding our national interests is our top priority. It is not feuds between businessmen and the turmoil created,'' he said.

''Is it a coincidence that the commotion caused by talk of scandals coincided with our presidency's strongest moment so far, the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the signing of the Accession Treaty in Athens? I can ascertain one thing with certainty. Those who are handling this case, in their effort which lacks prudence, are not promoting the country's interest. We shall not follow those who are creating an atmosphere of crisis, adjusting ourselves to their behavior,'' he added.

Simitis went on to say that those believing they are pressuring the government at present are wasting their time.

''I shall not bow to pressures. Our target is one: the progress and prosperity of the Greek people. I am working for these, I have achieved a great deal and I shall safeguard it. We owe it to the Greek people. We have an open front against corruption and we have proved it,'' he said.

Simitis also said the government has detected and publicized tax evasions, bogus invoices and illegal behavior and will continue to do so without hesitation, desiring transparency everywhere and always.

''We shall not pardon anyone in this effort of ours, whether he is a friend, associate or third person. Because our main concern is integrity and legality. We shall not pardon nor cover up. But we shall not condemn on the occasion of suspicions, unsubstantiated reports and extortionate exaggerations. We have already requested the assistance of justice. I believe it will preoccupy itself soon and with determination,'' he further said.

''The integrity of political life and the vulgarization of public life concern all. All the parties. They must feel responsibility not only for others but also for themselves. We have an obligation to confront all those desiring to cultivate the image that unlimited selfishness and minimal responsibility dominate politics,'' he said.

Simitis stressed that the government will continue its work intensively to prepare the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, promote major and small projects and get new ones started, achieve high rates of growth and more prosperity and consolidate peace in the area with new steps in Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

In another development, Simitis held talks with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis at the Maximos Mansion on Thurs-day, concerning latest political developments and the climate created by a newspaper's reports regarding members of the government.

''This climate evidently bothers me. It is a climate that does not suit PASOK, but I am certain we shall overcome it soon,'' Skandalidis said afterwards, adding that whatever initiatives are necessary will be taken by the prime minister when he considers it fit and in accordance with developments.

[02] ND spokesman accuses PM of avoiding probe of scandals by Parliament

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

Roussopoulos said ''national suppliers and contractors, vested interests, a major scandal at the Stock Exchange and corrupt modernization have paraded through Mr. Simitis' court for seven years.''

According to Roussopoulos, ''now that the end is drawing near the prime minister, as if nothing of all this has touched him not only refuses to have the scandals probed by Parliament but also says he will attempt to modernize the political system in the summer.''

ND's spokesman further said ''Mr. Simitis can no longer hide behind his finger. He is also a co-founder of the corrupt regime and all the Greeks are aware of this.''

Responding to Roussopoulos' statement, government spokes-man Christos Protopapas said ''Mr. Roussopoulos' delirium and his affront against the person of the prime minister prove how timely and effective today's intervention by Costas Simitis is.''

[03] Greek and Japanese PMs to chair EU-Japan summit on Friday

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

The two prime ministers are expected to have a private meeting after the summit and hold a press conference.

[04] FM: resolution of Cyprus issue within UN framework a central objective

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Papandreou said ''the strong message that Greece desires co-existence has met with a positive reception from Turkish-Cypriots citizens, adding ''the citizens' decision to change things means that an unacceptable situation that has caused a decades-old division cannot be perpetuated''.

''Myths are shot down, a great number of people are interacting and coexisting in a humane way; Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots have the capability to coexist, while the resolution of the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan is still a central and crystal-clear objective'', he said.

Papandreou also referred to new measures taken by the government of Cyprus, which he said would contribute to the co-existence of the two communities, as well as to the promotion of a solution on the basis of UN proposals.

The ''Green Line'' in Cyprus that has for almost 30 years partitioned the island republic, separating the free areas from a breakaway Turkish-Cypriot regime in the north that is recognized only by Ankara and supported by Turkish occupation troops, was opened for the first time just before Orthodox Easter last weekend.

The official confirmation of Cyprus' accession into the European Union in mid-April has led to pressure from EU partners for a final resolution of the island's political problem and for the Turkish Cypriot community to abandon its intransigent policy.

Asked about the possibility that the Turkish-Cypriot regime led by Rauf Denktash would be internationally recognized due to the recent ''goodwill gestures'', Papandreou said that the authority in the northern part of the island was not recognized by anyone internationally, including the EU and the UN, and that a spontaneous and very touching expression of citizens could not change the stance of the international community.

''Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots desire a solution to the Cyprus issue and it is the responsibility of leadership on all sides to tend to this problem and turn Cyprus into an example of peace and security'', he said.

Earlier, the Greek foreign minister had a meeting with Turkish ambassador to Athens Gigit Alpogan, which focused on the informal EU foreign ministers Council on Friday and Saturday on the Greek Aegean island of Kastellorizo.

After the meeting, the Turkish ambassador made positive comments about the recent developments in Cyprus and expressed hope that the visits exchanged between the two communities on the island would continue smoothly.

He said that developments were a step towards a solution, however, he avoided any reference to the ''Annan plan'' and only expressed hope that the phenomenon of the free-movement would turn into a regular process.

[05] Defense council discusses ministry finances, EU defense

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

Papantoniou hailed the initiative of the four, which he said reinforced the efforts of the Greek EU presidency for a common European defense.

He said the initiative was not a unilateral, separatist action but one that contributed to establishing a common European defense.

The Greek minister reiterated, meanwhile, that if Europe was to have credibility in relation to the United States it would need its own fighting force with the participation of more and more countries as a powerful tool for exercising a common foreign policy.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Papantoniou said that Greece would not match any removal of Turkish occupation troops by removing Greek troops on the island republic.

Greece was fulfilling its treaty obligations and had not entered into any race with Turkey over placing troops on Cypriot soil, he stressed.

The meeting also made decisions for unified financial organization and control of the armed forces and the building of housing for the new professional troops.

[06] U.S. report says Greece has made progress in battle against terrorism

WASHINGTON 02/05/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The annual report, released on Wednesday, said ''For the first time the Greek authorities arrested suspects for participation in the November 17 Revolutionary Organization''.

The report described the ''November 17'' as one of the most deadly terrorist groups in Europe these past 30 years.

It further noted the continuing efforts of the Greek authorities to eradicate other smaller terrorist groups such as ''Revolutionary Nuclei'', ''ELA'' and ''May 1''.

U.S. State Dept. lauds Greek gov't's anti-terrorist successes: The Greek government has made tremendous progress in confronting terrorism, U.S. State Department anti-terrorist service high ranking officials said on Wednesday here, during the presentation of the latest State Department report on terrorism around the world.

The same officials speaking during a press conference stressed that based the anti-terrorism data this was a historic progress made by Greece and expressed the wish of the U.S. government for the closure of the offices of ''some terrorist organizations'', which as they said are open in Athens.

[07] Workers celebrate May 1st Labor Day with rallies

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

Two separate rallies were held in Athens, one organized by the Supreme Civil Servants’ Administrative Council (ADEDY), the Labor Center of Athens (EKA) and the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), while the other was organized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) affiliated PAME organization.

In Thessaloniki the celebrations were even more fragmented as three different rallies were held, one by KKE's PAME, a second by the Labor Center of the city and a third by small in number non-Parliamentarian groups.

The GSEE in a resolution called for a 35-hour working week, without a decrease in pay, respect for collective labor agreements and labor legislation and a socially guaranteed minimum income which should be above the poverty line.

GSEE organizing secretary Yiannis Panagopoulos, as main speaker, having first referred to the matters of the war in Iraq and the struggle for peace, said only one political change was acceptable in the social security issue - that of a generous increase in pay for low bracket pensions.

ADEDY representative Grigoris Kalomiris referred mainly to the relation between the trade union movement and the new movement against globalization and the hopes which this has created.

In the other rally, KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga referred to the ''new package of measures against the working people'' and to what is referred in the new social security scheme. She noted that ''the widening of the government's anti-popular measures should alert the working people and unite the trade unionist forces.''

[08] ND: Corruption real and due to government actions and omissions

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

Roussopoulos particularly stressed that the offence of ''breach of faith'' had been converted from a crime to a misdemeanor under the present government.

He also criticized the government's ''main shareholder'' bill for the media, saying it opened the way to the control of the media and public information by state-sector suppliers.

The ND spokesman referred to the massive slide of the Greek stock exchange in 2000, in which millions of small investors lost large sums, saying that no state control mechanisms had seemed to operate properly at that time.

Responding to the criticism, government spokesman Christos Protopapas accused Roussopoulos of involvement in ''the war of business interests'' and of using the attacks made by the paper ''Avriani'' against members of the government for petty party-political advantage.

Kouris testifies to prosecutor regarding ''Avriani'' allegations: "Avriani" owner George Kouris on Wednesday gave evidence to public prosecutor Elli Toubanou, who is conducting a preliminary investigation into the paper's allegations of shady dealings between members of the government and business man Thanassis Athanasoulis.

Shortly before giving testimony, Kouris said his aim in running the articles was to purge PASOK from "certain thieves and the gang that surrounds them" while he urged investors to file lawsuits regarding the activities of Altec owner Athanasoulis on the stock market.

After his two-hour session with the prosecutor, Kouris said he had given evidence regarding all the persons mentioned in his paper’s articles.

Earlier on Wednesday, meanwhile, Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas filed yet another slander suit against the paper and those responsible for it over an article about a house he is building in Vrilissia, while his lawyer warned that further suits for damages were to follow.

[09] Greek EU Presidency statement on Middle East ''Road Map''

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

At the same time, in order to avert a likely destabilization in implementing the ‘Map’, the Presidency calls on both sides to refrain from actions that would feed extreme propaganda and to try and marginalize extreme and terrorist elements existing within their respective communities.

The Road Map, says the announcement, was drafted at a crucial period in time for the history of the region and represents the most appropriate way, in the opinion of the quartet, for the two parties to achieve peace. The specific initiative is a vital part of international efforts to promote comprehensive peace on all levels.

The Presidency, however, stressed that the pace of progress would depend on both parties’ activation, dedication and good faith.

The Presidency said that it expects “the official approval of the Palestinian Prime Minister and his government, would contribute to speeding up the Road Map implementation pace.”

In an appeal to both sides involved, as well as to Israel’s neighboring states, the Presidency underlined that “such a solution of two nations to the Israel-Palestine conflict would only be possible through an end to the violence and terrorism, the obvious acceptance by both parties of the objective of the negotiated solution, through the efforts to maintain Israel’s security and the normalization of Palestinian life and the establishment of a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions 224, 33, and 1397.”

FM hands Mideast plan to reps of Israel and the Palestinian Authority: Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in his capacity as president of the European Union's council of foreign ministers, on Wednesday received Israel's Ambassador to Athens Ram Aviram and Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority Abdullah Abdullah and handed them the ‘Road Map’ drafted by the ‘quartet' for peace in the Middle East.

The quartet - UN, EU, USA and Russia - drafted a plan composed of specific steps toward peace in the region, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Papandreou called on both sides to refrain from statements and declarations, which could create tensions, while he discounted the efforts of marginal groups to derail the peace efforts.

He also called on both sides to marginalize the extremist elements, promising similar action by the European Union.

Papandreou stressed that the ''Map'' prescribes specific steps and phases that should be accomplished for the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, so as for two states to exist in peace and security.

''We have worked very hard on this issue, the 'Road Map' is a significant starting point, we need the good will and willingness of both sides,'' Papandreou stressed.

[10] 'Green light' by the European Commission to Thessaloniki Metro contract

BRUSSELS 02/05/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Prompted by a report filed by ''Macedonian Metro'' against the award of the project to the ''Thessaloniki Metro'' consortium, the Commission's investigation concluded that the contract awarded in 1999 to the Thessaloniki Metro Joint Venture Company did not breach the principle of equal treatment of all bidders and it was a legitimate concession contract.

The Commission considered that the principle of equal treatment of all bidders was not infringed by the contract, noting that any successful bidder for the contract could have negotiated the final contract on similar terms, without incompatibility with the tender documents, which left a wide margin for interpretation with regard to clauses that could be negotiated by the preferred bidder.

The Commission also said that in its view, the concession holder, Thessaloniki Metro would bear a share in the investment risk, in other words, its income from the project remained uncertain, and that it was therefore appropriate for the contract to be defined as a concession contract, rather than a public works contract, in which case profit would be subject to tougher procurement rules.

In the Commission's view, the fact that in the final version of the contract, the defined depth of the tunnels was different from that set out in the tender documents did not constitute an unacceptable modification given that the tender documents specifically foresaw the possibility of such amendments.

At any case, following verifications made with the Greek authorities, the Commission considered that the financial guarantees submitted by Thessaloniki Metro were adequate in the light of EU public procurement rules.

The total cost of the project is estimated at more than 700 million euro, while, as mentioned in the Commission's conclusions, the Greek authorities will have to submit their financial arrangement for clearance under EC Treaty state aid rules.

[11] OECD ministerial session examines growth prospects and third world investments

PARIS 02/05/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

Many developing countries which are not OECD members had also been invited to the session.

Speaking to Greek reporters later, Finance and Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis referred to the outcome of talks, ascertaining that ''controlled optimism'' prevailed.

On the question of growth prospects, Christodoulakis said discussions reached the conclusion that the period of uncertainty created by the war in Iraq has been overcome and prospects are considered favorable.

He further said the stage of intense market undermining due to bad accounting practices detected last year, as well as due to risks entailed by Japan's banking system, also appear to belong to the past.

''We believe that we have now entered the phase of growth recovery with signs appearing more intense in the second half of 2003,'' he said.

Regarding investments in the third world, he said the idea dominating discussions is that there should be cooperation between private and state capital.

Christodoulakis referred during the session to relations with third countries, which will be a main issue at the ministerial session to take place in the Mexican city of Cancun in September, saying that the Cancun meeting should be a ''round of growth.''

The minister also said agriculture and trade transactions are important issues which must be resolved at Cancun, but warned that it is unacceptable that in order for third countries to gain the European Union must lose and for this reason a mutually beneficial solution should be found.

Another issue Christodoulakis referred to in his address was that of international trade and stressed the great importance promoting regional trade cooperation has for international growth.

Christodoulakis also said a problem requiring a solution is the fact that many countries hold discussions with international organizations without holding transactions with neighboring countries in their area.

''International trade is not only a factor of growth, but also a factor of peace, acquaintances and democratization,'' he said.

[12] Economic sentiment drops in Greece, improves slightly in EU, euro area

BRUSSELS 02/05/2003 (ANA – B. Demiris)

Economic sentiment increased slightly in April 2003 in both the EU and the euro area, following its drop in March. It increased by 0.2 percentage points in the EU, reaching a value of 98.2, and by 0.1 percentage points in the euro area, where it attained a value of 97.

The slight increase in the ESI is attributable to improvements in the consumer and retail trade confidence indicators. These improvements more than offset a further deterioration in the industrial confidence indicator. The construction confidence indicator remained unchanged in the euro area but deteriorated in the EU as a whole.

In the EU ‘15’, the economic sentiment indicator improved in Ireland (by 0.6 percentage points), Germany (0.3), Austria (0.2) and Luxembourg (0.1). It remained unchanged in Belgium and France. The indicator declined in Portugal, Sweden (0.4), the Netherlands (0.3), Italy (0.2) and, to a lesser extent, in Denmark, Spain, Finland and the United Kingdom (0.1).

[13] Athens Bourse Close: Stock send higher in lively trade

Athens, 02/05/2003 (ANA)

The general share index gained 1.58 percent to end at 1,691.52 points. Turnover was 397.1 million euros, fuelled by a block trade in Cosmote with Telenor of Norway selling 9.0 percent of its holding in the firm to institutional investors.

OTE closed with gains of 2.78 percent.

On Tuesday, players dumped stock in OTE and its mobile subsidiary Cosmote on news that Morgan Stanley had lowered its rating on the heavily traded parent firm, lowering their prices sharply and dampening sentiment across the board.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 2.34 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.28 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with gains of 1.22 percent.

The FTSE/ASE-140 closed 2.04 percent up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 219 to 97 with 44 issues remaining unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 81.5 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: