Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-05-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Papandreou hails lifting of sanctions against Iraq

[02] FM interviewed by Le Figaro focuses on Iraq war, EU-US relations

[03] Greek and British PMs discuss EU's constitution and security

[04] DM Papantoniou, ND former leader Evert, on Turkish provocations in Aegean

[05] Diamantopoulou briefs Turkish Cypriots on EU funding

[06] Greek EU Commissioner Diamantopoulou says Denktash's position is deteriorating

[07] Denktash ''a-priori'' rejects EU's planned measures for Turkish Cypriots

[08] Alternate FM and visiting New Zealand FM discuss bilateral, EU issues

[09] FM on terrorism in Italian daily ''La Stampa''

[10] Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference to be held on Crete

[11] Greek EU presidency express sorrow over catastrophic quake in Algeria

[12] Turkish patrol boat harasses Greek caique near Imia islet

[13] Gov't sees isolated business failures, not closure trend

[14] ND slams 'anti-developmental' economic policy; gov't responds

[15] OTE leads ASE lower on Thursday

[16] Deputy minister and Athens mayor sign agreement for sports projects

[17] ATHOC telephone ticketing center receives 13,000 calls in a week

[18] Another 'N17' suspect arrested, police cite '2nd generation' member'

[19] Alleged terrorist to be released on bail following stroke

[20] Greeks strongly support common EU foreign and security policy, polls shows

[21] Pan-European environmental protocols signed in Kiev

[22] Isabel Allende to arrive in Greece on Friday

[23] Greek Archbishop's message for Environment Day

[24] Proclamation on Electronic Health ratified in Brussels

[25] Alternate FM, former Cyprus president address IOBE conference in Athens

[26] Three Greek 'Doctors of the World' to leave for Algiers to help quake sufferers

[27] Report on fatal truck-bus crash in Tempi released

[28] President says overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriot side ready for talks

[29] Cyprus solution must be pursued on the basis of Annan plan

[01] FM Papandreou hails lifting of sanctions against Iraq

PARIS 23/05/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

''Being the EU's presidency, we hail the lifting of sanctions against Iraq, with a new resolution which received a big majority. There was also unanimity by the four members of the EU which participate in the Security Council. With this resolution we are gaining the creation of a post of Special Representative of UN Secretary General Mr. (Kofi) Annan who will closely watch developments in this way,'' he said, commenting on UN resolution 1483.

Papandreou arrived in Paris on Thursday to participate in two ministerial meetings. One concerns the ''road axes of drugs from Central Asia to Europe'' organized in close cooperation with the UN's program for international control of drugs.

The second is the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers from G8 countries in light of the eight richest countries' summit due to take place in the French city of Evian on May 31.

The foreign minister expressed hope that the people of Iraq will be helped through economic growth, humanitarian aid and reconstruction which will create a country of freedom and democracy.

Papandreou also referred to the most important issues to be discussed during the two ministerial meetings on Thursday and Friday.

''Developments in the Middle East will be one of the important issues for discussion since there is even a little and existing hope for the ratification and promotion of the road map by all sides. This Map will lead us to the creation of a Palestinian state and to the safeguarding of the security of Israel,'' he said.

International terrorism and drugs are also on the table for discussion.

''We spoke of drugs and organized crime which very often involves networks of terrorism, the trafficking of people and drugs. Unfortunately, we ascertained the failure of the international community to handle the phenomenon, although it has been preoccupied intensively over the past 40 years. Being the EU presidency, we made an appeal for our policies to be evaluated and see with sincerity which other policies can be of help, such as the protection of addicts and their isolation from the networks of the underworld,'' the foreign minister added.

Iraq will be an exclusive issue in Friday's talks, due to take place in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell who also arrived in the French capital on Thursday.

Greek EU presidency welcomes UN Iraq resolution: The Greek EU presidency on Thursday welcomed the ''unanimous adoption today by the UN Security Council of a resolution on post conflict Iraq.''

''This development shows a new spirit of cooperation within the international community'', a press release issued by the presidency said.

''This resolution achieves one of the main objectives pursued by the European Union, namely that the UN must play a central role in the reconstruction process of Iraq and lend legitimacy to the action of the international community and its members,'' it added.

''The Presidency also welcomes the creation of the post of UN Special Representative for Iraq and hopes that it will now be possible to address the immediate needs of the Iraqi people, by ensuring that oil revenues will be used for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction.

''It is to be noted that the EU has always advocated the creation of conditions that will allow Iraqis to live in freedom, peace and prosperity under a representative government. Todays (Thursday) resolution provides a framework, which should allow the international community to help the Iraqis to achieve these objectives.

''Finally it should be recalled that the EU has committed itself to play a significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq,'' the presidency's press release concluded.

[02] FM interviewed by Le Figaro focuses on Iraq war, EU-US relations

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

Responding to questions by journalist Philippe Gelie on the unity of Europeans in the post-war period, Papandreou underlined that there is willingness ''a real wish to look ahead, to gather the international community and work together''.

''The new proposal of a decision that was presented in the United Nations was accepted in a positive way by most Europeans, I believe that it offers a base to achieve a compromise,'' he added.

Great Britain and Spain ''have a special responsibility, as do the other two member-states of the Security Council (France and Germany). We should promote the European position and in parallel build a trans-Atlantic compromise. One feels that an ambition of international cohesion is created on the issue,'' Papandreou said.

Answering on how Europe emerged from the Iraq spawned crisis, Papandreou said ''Iraq brought to the surface a number of problems, if we take advantage of the opportunity to respond in a more decisive way we will be able to come out of it strengthened''.

Commenting on the results of the Greek presidency, Papandreou said that ''we expected a difficult presidency. The last few months the first steps of an enlarged Europe were made, the war in Iraq, the final phase of the Constitutional convention. We are entering a new period of European history. What unites us is the commonality of our values, democracy, cooperation, economy, human rights ... we have to build on these foundations and to revise our priorities''.

[03] Greek and British PMs discuss EU's constitution and security

LONDON 23/05/2003 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The meeting was held in the framework of preparations for the agenda of the EU summit in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, next month.

Simitis conceded that constitutional problems exist, but expressed his conviction that there will be possibilities for a decision to be taken on the new constitution of Europe before Euro-elections are held in 2004.

''We discussed with Mr. Blair the agenda of the Thessaloniki summit and the main issue was the plan for the new constitution of the European Union which Giscard d' Estaing will present to us and on which we shall have to decide before the Euro-elections in 2004.

There are problems, they are known constitutional problems, agreements on principles and on the issue of human rights. There are two possibilities, two options, and I hope that we shall be in a position to take a speedy decision after the summit in Thessaloniki,'' Simitis said after the meeting at the British prime minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.

The Greek prime minister said issues concerning the EU's security were also discussed, while EU High Commissioner for Defense and Security Policy Javier Solana will be presenting a report. He added that they also referred to Iraq and the Middle East, stressing that the issue of the Middle East will be discussed during the luncheon at the EU summit in Thessaloniki.

Simitis further said his talks with Blair had a positive outcome and a satisfactory agreement was reached on all issues discussed.

Asked whether the issue of Cyprus was discussed, Simitis said ''we discussed the Cyprus issue and we agreed that talks on the Annan plan cannot begin unless Turkey changes its present position.''

Simitis will leave for Dublin on Friday morning to meet Irish Prime Minister Berty Ahern for similar talks on the Thessaloniki summit's agenda.

[04] DM Papantoniou, ND former leader Evert, on Turkish provocations in Aegean

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

After a meeting, Evert did not rule out the prospect of a 'hot incident', while Papantoniou opined that there was no immediate visible danger.

The minister added, however, that the Greek armed forces were at a high level of preparedness, and were facing the increasing violations of Greek national airspace and infringements of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) by Turkish warplanes "with calm and steadfastness".

He reiterated that there was no benefit for Greece to 'play the game of tension".

Evert commented that if Turkey continued this policy, it would alienate itself from all of Europe, while all of Hellenism would undertake initiatives to close off its road to the EU

[05] Diamantopoulou briefs Turkish Cypriots on EU funding

NICOSIA 23/05/2003 (ANA-G.Leonidas/CNA)

Speaking after the meeting, which took place at the offices of the European Commission Delegation in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot politicians expressed satisfaction over the briefing they received and noted the benefits the Turkish Cypriot community will receive from the EU in case of a political settlement.

Diamantopoulou said she was happy to receive the Turkish Cypriot politicians along with Head of the Delegation Adriaan Van der Meer ''for the first time''.

''There was an interesting exchange of views regarding the solution'' of the Cyprus problem, she said, adding that she briefed the Turkish Cypriot politicians on the fundamental principles of the EU, giving special emphasis to the fact that ''a country must be represented with one voice and be a single state''.

Diamantopoulou briefed them on the short-term and long-term EU and referred to the EU measures to be announced on June 3, the financial assistance of 206 million euros for 2004-2006 in case of a solution and the funding and strengthening of Cyprus in case of a solution from the structural funds for the period 2007-2012.

Leader of the Republican Turkish Party Mehmet Ali Talat said they discussed ''the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots, the opportunities which are gained by restricted free movement (to and from the occupied areas of the island) and also some substantial issues which relate to the solution and participation of Cyprus as a whole in the EU''.

Replying to questions, Talat said they discussed the free movement of goods and the funding from the EU in case of a Cyprus settlement before May 2004, which ''will help boost the Turkish Cypriot economy''.

Leader of the Reformist Progress Party Ertugrul Hasipoglu said the meeting with Diamantopoulou was ''useful'' and expressed hope that by next month there will be free movement of Turkish Cypriot goods.

Huseyin Angolemli, leader of the Communal Liberation Party, said ''we told her that before May 1st next year (when Cyprus joins the EU) a solution is very important'' and that, apart from the UN, ''the EU must have a duty for a solution'' of the Cyprus problem.

''The EU must work on the basis of the Annan plan in order to reach a comprehensive settlement. The measures to be announced next month by the EU will do something, especially on trade. All these things are not a solution but will help to reach a solution'', he said, speaking in Turkish through an interpreter.

Angolemli added that ''it is a reality that the EU now is working for Cyprus and our aim is at the end of the day to see a reunified Cyprus member of the EU.''

Earlier this afternoon, Diamantopoulou met with leaders of Greek Cypriot political parties.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The most recent talks to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a proposal submitted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan collapsed at The Hague, due to the stance of the Turkish side.

[06] Greek EU Commissioner Diamantopoulou says Denktash's position is deteriorating

NICOSIA 23/05/2003 (ANA-G. Leonidas/CNA)

Diamantopoulou, on a visit to the island, said that the a priori rejection by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of EU measures to support the Turkish Cypriots is making his position more untenable in the international arena and things become more difficult as far as his acceptance as a reliable interlocutor is concerned.

Diamantopoulou, who was speaking after meeting House President Demetris Christofias, was also received earlier on Thursday by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Later on she met Foreign Minister George Iacovou who said that during their meeting it was pointed out that Cyprus should work with a view to stay ahead of the rest of the ten countries which will join the EU in May 2004.

The minister expressed regret at Denktash's rejection of the EU measures, adding that this will not make a good impression on the EU. Asked if the signing of the EU Accession Treaty calls for changes in a UN peace plan on a Cyprus solution, the EU Commissioner noted that the EU had said it would be willing to accommodate into the Treaty elements to be agreed by the two sides but stressed that the Union cannot violate its own principles.

''The EU has accepted Cyprus in its ranks as a single state and the institutional framework of the EU does not allow any kind of derogation from this approach. It is a single state, with a single voice to represent it in the EU. The way a country is functioning internally is up to that country,'' Diamantopoulou said.

She noted that the solution of the political problem is now a problem of the EU and added that the situation in Cyprus compared to the one she saw the previous time she was on the island one and a half years ago is more auspicious and optimistic.

Diamantopoulou also referred to EU support for a Cyprus solution by contributing to the work of the UN ''which is the prime institution for the settlement of the problem.''

She said that through its own institutional framework and the acquis communautaire the EU offers the guarantees for the viability and functionality of a settlement, while its institutional framework offers the biggest guarantee for the coexistence of both communities, which have different cultural, linguistic and religious characteristics, as is the case in many European countries.

The EU, she added, intends to support the whole of the island to become part of the global economy. She reiterated that in the event of a settlement, EU funds will be channeled to finance infrastructure projects in the northern part of the island and said the Commission will announce in two weeks time a package of measures regarding infrastructure, human resources and support of trade in Cyprus' occupied areas.

Referring to the easing of restrictions on free movement, Diamantopoulou said the flow of people across the divide creates a positive momentum but does not constitute the solution or a form of a solution to the problem.

The House President said after the meeting he was not surprised that Denktash rejected the EU measures for the Turkish Cypriots prior to their announcement, noting that he himself had predicted that Denktash would be negative if the EU applies all measures though the Republic's institutions.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[07] Denktash ''a-priori'' rejects EU's planned measures for Turkish Cypriots

NICOSIA 23/05/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Denktash claimed that if European Commission intentions were sincerely designed for advancing peace on Cyprus, they should not include any restrictions such as on the export of Turkish Cypriot goods from the legal ports of the island which are not recognized by his pseudo-state.

Moreover, he said that there were two peoples on Cyprus, something which he said was not even included in the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan, since, as he claimed, this could lead to a right for self-determination.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also warned that Turkish guarantees should be strong and should not be removed, as foreseen in the Annan plan, and claimed that the best solution for the Cyprus issue would be one that would ''retain a bi-zonal order with two states maintaining good neighbor relations between them.''

''This is why the Annan plan was rejected'', he said.

The European Commission planned to forward its statement on a package of aid and trade measures for Turkish Cypriots to the European Council and all Community organs in the first part of June, the head of the delegation of the European Commission to Cyprus had said on Monday.

EU Ambassador to Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer said this would be a statement-framework that will indicate specific rapprochement measures that the Commission wished to see implemented.

UN brokered marathon talks held in March at the Hague collapsed on 13 March in the face of the Turkish Cypriot side's intransigence, following months of intensive deliberations by Annan on a peace plan he initially tabled in November with the internationally-recognized Cyprus government and the leader of the minority Turkish Cypriot community for reuniting the divided island republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus signed its EU accession treaty in Athens mid-April along with Malta and eight central and east European nations.

[08] Alternate FM and visiting New Zealand FM discuss bilateral, EU issues

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

The New Zealand minister is in Greece to represent his country at celebrations for the anniversary of the 1941 Battle of Crete that will take place on the island on Friday.

Yiannitsis and Goff discussed a bilateral agreement that will give young New Zealanders the right to work when visiting Greece for holidays, which the two countries hope to sign by the end of the year.

The Greek minister also expressed Athens' support for New Zealand's initiative against whale hunting and thanked Goff for Wellington's support of Greece's candidacy for a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

With respect to EU issues, Goff said New Zealand would like its citizens to have greater freedom of movement within Europe than that provided under the Schengen Treaty, while he welcomed the proposals made by European Commissioner for agriculture Franz Fischler on reforming the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The talks also covered the issue of international terrorism, where Goff stressed the need to tackle the "root causes" of the phenomenon and stressed the importance of the "road map" for Middle East peace.

Regarding products derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), the New Zealand minister took a different stance to that of the EU, saying that the trade in these products should proceed in accordance with the directives of the World Trade Organization, with caution and circumspection and solely within a framework of scientifically supported restrictions.

[09] FM on terrorism in Italian daily ''La Stampa''

ROME 23/05/2003 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

The Greek minister said that apart from terrorism, todays reality also includes other threats, such as the deadly SARS virus and other possible epidemics, which all come down to the same concern: how to achieve security in a world which is being more and more globalized.

We should not forget that in order to fight terrorism we should locate its causes. And also that one of the problems giving rise to extremism is the Palestinian issue, Papandreou told the Italian paper.

As terrorism is going to be one of the major topics on the agenda of Junes EU-US summit in Washington, Papandreous interview centered on the specific matter, and a question he was asked was whether he believed the European Union could influence the US response.

He replied that Europe wishes a peaceful solution, but I do not have the right to believe that the US would like to resort, once again, to a preventive attack. A challenge in EU-US relations is that: I cannot imagine that Europe would ever consent to a preventive attack ... What is a preventive attack? A way to prevent something that you do not know whether it really exists.

Papandreou was asked whether this was a message to Washington. He replied that he did not believe that the US would want to resolve matters only through war. That is why what Europe would have to offer is very important in facilitating a peaceful resolution of possible problems.

[10] Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference to be held on Crete

BRUSSELS 23/05/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The agenda of the meeting also includes a common evaluation, in light of EU enlargement, of the way to define the role of EU partnership with Mediterranean nations in order to eliminate the tensions that followed the Iraq crisis.

Commenting on the conference, European External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said: The most successful EU foreign policy to date has been enlargement. We now have to investigate how we can define together with our Mediterranean partners the ways to develop the Barcelona process, so that they can too enjoy in the largest extend possible the same benefits, even if EU admission is not a matter of concern to them.

Participating ministers would examine the progress achieved since the last conference in Valencia, Spain, last year, during which they unanimously agreed on an action plan.

The plans long- and mid-term initiatives are aimed at strengthening cooperation on political and economic reforms to boost prosperity levels and enhancing mutual understanding.

A number of issues on which the ministers would be called upon to achieve agreement include a speedy implementation of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation agreements, a deepening of political and security cooperation, especially fighting terrorism and improvement in respect for human rights and democracy.

[11] Greek EU presidency express sorrow over catastrophic quake in Algeria

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

"The EU Presidency expresses its profound sorrow and its deepest condolences to the government and the people of Algeria as well as to the relatives of the victims of the disastrous earthquake, which befell yesterday (Wednesday) this country.

"The EU is ready to offer all possible assistance in order to alleviate the suffering of the Algerian people affected by this tragedy," a Greek foreign ministry statement said.

[12] Turkish patrol boat harasses Greek caique near Imia islet

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

The caique's owner, Antonis Vezyropoulos, has for many years kept a flock of sheep on Imia.

Once the Turkish patrol boat spotted the Greek from Pserimos, it started sailing at high speed in and out of Greek territorial waters, resulting in waves threatening the small caique of the Greek who nevertheless continued his journey towards Imia.

When he became aware that the Turkish patrol boat had no intention of leaving, he alerted the Kalymnos Port Authority by mobile phone which immediately sent an armed speedboat forcing the Turkish boat to retreat to Turkish territorial waters.

Vezyropopoulos was finally escorted to Imia by the Greek patrol boat.

It is not the first time that Vezyropoulos has been harassed by Turkish patrol boats.

The small islet of Imia was thrust into international limelight in late January 1996 when the Tansu Ciller government in Ankara unexpectedly contested the rocky outcrop and even the surrounding sea regions status as Greek territory, causing the most serious Greek-Turkish crisis since 1976.

[13] Gov't sees isolated business failures, not closure trend

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

In addition, the minister cited what he called unjustified attempts to defame the economy in connection with the recent closures.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Christodoulakis, Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas charged the main opposition New Democracy party with being a slave to market forces and sowing messages of fear and panic among employees.

The finance minister added that in 2000 to 2002, 243,000 more people were hired than made redundant or leaving the labor market under voluntary retirement schemes.

He reiterated that the government would try to save jobs wherever possible and aid any workers made redundant through jobless schemes.

[14] ND slams 'anti-developmental' economic policy; gov't responds

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos asserted that the recent wave of bankruptcies and relocations by large companies was more than just a coincidence and a direct result of its "anti-developmental, managerial and tax-gouging" policies that kept inflation at high levels.

He said this framework was stifling Greek businesses, which found themselves gradually pushed out of the Greek market due to their low competitiveness.

He also urged the government to make public all the figures relating to joblessness and employment, noting that this was not an issue that lent itself to petty party-politics.

Responding to Roussopoulos, government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Thursday rejected the main opposition's criticism and said the spokesman should not have doubted the official unemployment figures from the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) without presenting other figures to back up the claim.

He reiterated that more businesses were opening than closing, according to the figures, and said the government would do everything in its power to return the workers laid off through closures to production.

[15] OTE leads ASE lower on Thursday

Athens, 23/05/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.48 percent to end fractionally above the 1,700 level at 1,700.09 points, with turnover a moderate 97.1 million euros.

The IT Solution, Retail and Cement sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.80 percent, 2.34 percent and 2.18 percent, respectively), while the Textile and Bank sectors scored gains (0.86 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.57 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.98 percent down, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 0.90 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index fell 0.68 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 208 to 85 with another 63 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Trade at discount Thursday

Equity Index Futures: