Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-05-29

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says Greece will help Canada in bid for investments in Balkan countries

[02] Simitis, Chretien, Prodi underline good EU-Canada relations

[03] PM says Turkish military chief reiterating Turkey's known positions of the past

[04] ND responds with more criticism to PM's Tuesday charges

[05] 'Sariza' military exercise concludes in N. Greece

[06] Chairman of NATO military committee Gen. Kujat due in Athens

[07] Karamanlis issues message to mark anniversary of Greece's EU accession

[08] Pangalos: Those responsible for bring Ocalan into Greece not in the dock

[09] Gov't on Mitsotakis quip regarding judicial investigation

[10] Canadian FM signs Olympic Truce Statement

[11] Greece spends same percentage of GDP for pensions as other EU countries

[12] Greece to set up new supervisory authority for insurance market

[13] Greek FinMin and Canadian minister for international trade meet in Athens

[14] E-commerce in Europe problematic, survey says

[15] Greek EU presidency - conference on aquiculture launched on Thursday in Athens

[16] Gov't reiterates claim of 'scandal-mongering' by hostile business circles

[17] Greece: equal treatment for Mediterranean products or no CAP reforms

[18] Merchant marine minister announces grace period for shipping insurance mandate

[19] Three new vessels raise the Greek flag

[20] Economy minister addresses conference on 'Women's Entrepreneurship'

[21] Eurostat says Greece has low pc and internet use but extensive mobile phone use

[22] ASE surpasses 1,700 level again on Wednesday

[23] Delays in 2004 Olympics residence lease plan cited

[24] Canadian PM believes Marbles issue should be promoted through UNESCO

[25] Swedish Committee organizes conference on return of Marbles

[26] FM addresses ''women & foreign policy'' conference in Athens

[27] First defense witnesses take the stand in 'N17' trial

[28] Attica Highway tolls contravene EU directives, MEP charges

[29] Greece to participate in WHO-sponsored survey on human health

[30] World Day against Smoking dedicated to crackdown on indirect tobacco advertising

[31] Press minister attends meeting on globalization and mass media

[32] European ombudsman to attend seminar in Warsaw

[33] Ecumenical Patriarch visits Cassandra farm prison

[34] Klosson says Annan plan unique basis for settlement

[01] PM says Greece will help Canada in bid for investments in Balkan countries

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

PM says Greece will help Canada in bid for investments in Balkan countries: The talks, which took place at the Maximos Mansion, were also attended by the foreign ministers of Canada and Greece, Bill Graham and George Papandreou respectively.

Simitis said in statements afterwards that Canada's participation with peacekeeping forces in the region of Kosovo gives the country direct involvement in developments.

The Greek prime minister said bilateral relations between Greece and Canada are excellent and there are strong feelings of friendship for the country hosting a big community of Greeks, helping it to become incorporated and to develop.

He added that Canada should constitute a model for the European Union on the issue of the incorporation of immigrants who are currently increasing in number in Europe.

The Canadian prime minister said the situation in the Balkans was discussed at length since he wanted to have a clear picture of the region from the Greek authorities.

He placed emphasis on the fact that there is a big Greek community in his country and so he feels particularly close to Greece.

On the question of criticism he received from the White House's press spokesman for remarks he made on Tuesday regarding his differentiation from the United States, Chretien said he discussed the economic state of America in light of the G8 summit, since economic stability in the region is an issue of primary importance.

He added that he cannot understand why the Americans are annoyed by criticism made by him of their economy in good faith and which is not personal.

Chretien further said Canada is being criticized for not investing a great deal of money in defense, adding that the struggle against terrorism after September 11 has increased Canada's expenditures with its participation in the alliance against terrorism in the region of Afghanistan.

[02] Simitis, Chretien, Prodi underline good EU-Canada relations

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

The Greek premier said discussions at the meeting had focused on developments in the Middle East and cooperation of the international community for the reconstruction of Iraq within the framework of the United Nations, and that various Canada and EU subjects had been discussed on the level of cultural and student exchanges.

Simitis said the EU had followed a policy similar to that of Canada vis-a-vis the US-British-led war on Iraq, since it believes in an institutional role for the UN on international issues.

On his part, the Canadian prime minister referred to the large Greek community in Canada, the international and bilateral issues that he discussed with Simitis and Prodi, and stressed discussions had been carried out in a very positive climate.

The president of the European Commission placed emphasis on cooperation between Canada and the European Commission on the promotion of a UN resolution regarding postwar reconstruction of Iraq, and stressed that the UN did not play any role in the war on Iraq and that it was time to regain its place in the international community.

''We appreciate all efforts for upgrading the UN'', Prodi said.

Prodi slams draft EU Constitution at joint EU-Canada press conference in Athens: President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, at a joint press conference held on the occasion of the EU (Troika)-Canada Summit, referred, inter alia, on the Convention for the Future of Europe, launched criticism on the draft European Constitution, and warned that the clause it contained on majority voting failed to promote the vision of the Nice Treaty.

''In the meetings I had with the Prime Ministers of Greece and Canada, I had the opportunity to discuss the situation on the Convention for the Future of Europe,'' the European Commission president said, adding ''I have to honestly admit that the draft text presented by the Presidium of the Convention is a disappointment. Despite all the hard work we have all put into this, the text that's now before us simply lacks vision and ambition.''

''It does not solve the problems created by the Treaty of Nice. On he contrary, it is in some respect a step backwards: for example in the area of majority voting where the Union has to move forward to avoid paralysis,'' Prodi went on.

''I want to say this as a wake-up call for the members of the Convention. We cannot let ourselves become victims or hostages of a text that fails to propose solutions, that threatens to paralyze Europe,'' he concluded.

EU Troika meet with Canadian FM Graham, discuss Mideast, Iraq: The Middle East and Iraq were the focus of a meeting in Athens on Wednesday between the European Union 'Troika' and visiting Canadian foreign minister William Graham, who is accompanying prime minister Jean Chretien on an official two-day visit here.

The Troika, comprising the foreign minister of current EU president Greece, George Papandreou, the EU's High Representative for foreign relations Javier Solana, and European Commissioner for external policy Chris Patten, met with Graham at the Zappeion Hall for talks that centered on the situation in the Middle East and in Iraq.

[03] PM says Turkish military chief reiterating Turkey's known positions of the past

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

Simitis also said discussions have been made on the issue in the EU and decisions have been taken. He further said the decision has been taken that these issues must be settled and resolved by 2004.

The prime minister said that, consequently, both Greece and the EU will continue smoothly the relation with Turkey, waiting for it to respond to its obligations.

[04] ND responds with more criticism to PM's Tuesday charges

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

Speaking to ruling PASOK party joint Parliamentary group and central committee meeting on Tuesday in Athens, Simitis attributed the negative climate on the domestic front to a ''carefully orchestrated attack'' from main opposition ND and big business, an attack he said aimed to prevent the government from completing its work.

ND spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos said the economy is a political issue, while stressing that a new economic policy is needed and that a new ND government will solve the problems accumulated by consecutive PASOK governments.

The statements came after a meeting of the main opposition’s sector heads.

Deputy George Alogoskoufis, who heads ND’s economic sector, said it was “reasonable” for his party to want the PASOK government’s demise, as the latter has failed miserably, while the economy has turned into Simitis’ “Achilles heal”.

“Instead of problems the only thing the prime minister sees is conspiracies,” Alogoskoufis said.

Finally, high-ranking deputy Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the prime minister is unwilling to “accept reality” or criticism.

“All he has to do is see who supported him and who is supporting him in order to understand who the vested big business interests are,” Pavlopoulos said.

[05] 'Sariza' military exercise concludes in N. Greece

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the “Sariza” exercise, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou again commented on the latest and stepped up violations of Greek air space over the Aegean by Turkish warplanes, noting that Athens’ efforts at rapprochement with Ankara have so far “not paid off”

“Conversely, we’ve ascertained an increased aggressiveness on the side of Turkey, which emphasizes tension in bilateral relations and gives rise to dangers,” he said.

The exercise was also observed by the German Chief of Federal Armed Forces Staff, Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan.

[06] Chairman of NATO military committee Gen. Kujat due in Athens

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

While in Athens, Kujat would meet with the Armed Forces military leadership to discuss issues of military interest related to Greece's membership in the Alliance.

The Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC) is selected by the Chiefs of Defense of the NATO member states for a three year term of office. He acts exclusively in an international capacity and his authority stems from the Military Committee, to which he is responsible in the performance of his duties. He normally chairs all meetings of the Military Committee.

The Military Committee, comprising the chiefs of defense (CHoD) of the Alliance member countries, is the highest military authority in NATO, working under the overall political authority of the North Atlantic Council, the Defense Planning Committee (DPC) and the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG).

[07] Karamanlis issues message to mark anniversary of Greece's EU accession

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

“It is a day of celebration because this anniversary coincides with the year of Europe’s reunion and Cyprus’ accession into the EU. The new Europe of 25 member-states and 480 million people is the best proof of the strength of European values, which firstly flourished in Greece,” Karamanlis remarked in his statement.

He further added that it was a day of memory, as all Greeks remember that their country managed through adverse conditions to enter into a supranational scheme of partnership and stability.

“Europe is now on the eve of the submission of a draft plan for a Constitutional Treaty. Our country is called upon to preserve its interests in creating a future Europe having an equal representation ... a Europe that will in no way harm the fundamental value of equality of the nations making it up”, concluded the opposition leader.

[08] Pangalos: Those responsible for bring Ocalan into Greece not in the dock

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

Pangalos, who lost his post as foreign minister over the Ocalan affair, was testifying before a mixed jury court in the trial of 13 people accused of illegally bring Ocalan to Greece in January 1999 and disrupting the country's harmonious foreign relations.

He also claimed that the state's chief suspect, retired Navy Captain Antonis Naxakis, had played a ''technical role'' in bringing Ocalan into the country and had been misled into believing that granting the Kurdish leader political asylum would be a simple formality, since his arrival had been preceded by a vociferous movement to allow Ocalan entry supported by MPs, journalists and others.

In this Naxakis had miscalculated, since accepting Ocalan would have turned Greece into another Iraq and cost the country its place in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Pangalos said.

The arrival of the head of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) had put Greece in a very awkward position and exposed it to a possible invasion from Turkey, while Ocalan refused to follow a program worked out by the Greek side, Pangalos noted.

The PKK leader was eventually captured by Turkish intelligence forces in Kenya, where he had taken refuge in the Greek Embassy.

Pangalos refused to reveal more details about the Greek program and also refused to comment on a text sent by Ocalan from a Turkish jail, noting that this had been approved by Turkish authorities, while he advised the court against adopting the statements contained within it.

Finally, he said the charges against author Voula Damianakou were unfair, since she was being made to suffer for offering humanitarian assistance to a person who had been in need.

The court next heard testimony from Alekos Papadopoulos, who had been interior minister at the time of the incident. Papadopoulos said the government's official position had been that Ocalan was not welcome in Greece.

He described Naxakis' decision to smuggle the fugitive PKK leader into Greece as a ''mistake,'' and a bad estimate the entire situation surrounding around the Ocalan issue.

According to the former minister, Naxakis had acted under ''strong emotional charge'' and, in his opinion, had not intended to harm Greek interests.

Regarding his own actions once Ocalan's arrival became known, Papadopoulos said he had immediately ordered an investigation and the arrest of all employees involved, since the country had found itself in a very difficult position.

Next on the stand was former MP Costas Badouvas, who said Naxakis had acted solely on his own initiative in the affair.

The trial was adjourned until Friday, when the former head of the Greek intelligence service (EYP) Haralambos Stavrakakis and former EYP agent Savvas Kalenteridis are expected to testify, along with cabinet secretary Sokratis Kosmidis.

[09] Gov't on Mitsotakis quip regarding judicial investigation

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

In another matter, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the government is in no position to select who is assigned judicial investigations, a reply to a high-profile comment by ND honorary president and former premier Constantine Mitsotakis on Tuesday

Mitsotakis stressed that an appellate level magistrate should have been assigned the controversial case dealing with allegations against local IT magnate Socrates Kokkalis, a case that was eventually shelved.

[10] Canadian FM signs Olympic Truce Statement

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

In a statement, Papandreou referred to the idea of truce from ancient times, that is, the halting of wars throughout the duration of the Olympic Games and expressed the hope that this idea will be able to be perpetuated.

On his part, the Canadian foreign minister hailed the effort for the revival of the idea because, as he said, the Olympic Games are not just sport, they are also the laying down of arms, because during the sport events, arms should be laid down.

[11] Greece spends same percentage of GDP for pensions as other EU countries

BRUSSELS 29/05/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

This is noted in a report by the European Statistical Service (Eurostat) on welfare expenditures in EU member-states, publicized here on Wednesday.

The report says that expenditures for pensions corresponded in Greece to 11.1 percent of GDP in 1991, 11.3 in 1993, 11.7 in 1997 and 12.5 in 2000.

Regarding the 15 EU member-states, expenditures for pensions corresponded on average to 12 percent of the average GDP of the EU in 1991, to 12.9 in 1993, 12.9 in 1997 and 12.5 in 2000.

The highest percentage of expenditures for pensions among EU member-states, as a percentage of GDP, appeared in 2000 in Italy with 14.7 percent and the lowest in Ireland with 3.6 percent.

[12] Greece to set up new supervisory authority for insurance market

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

The plan envisages the creation of an independent legal agency, based on the standards of Greece's Capital Markets' Commission, and the set up of a new coordinating body between all independent authorities to supervise the country's financial and insurance market.

Mr Tsohatzopoulos said the plan would be debated with other government ministries and announced that a final proposal would be ready in about a month. The biggest issue of the debate, however, is expected to be which ministry will be responsible for the new agency.

The Greek minister stressed that the new agency would ensure transparency in the market. The agency will have a nine-member board and its budget will be covered by both the state budget and a small percentage of the annual premium production in the country.

[13] Greek FinMin and Canadian minister for international trade meet in Athens

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

At the meeting, participants discussed bilateral EU-Canada trade relations and the negotiations currently carried out at the World Trade Organization on the deregulation of international trade. All parties confirmed their common wish for the successful completion of the negotiations, the release said.

Both sides placed great emphasis on the growth dimension of this round of negotiations, as well as to the support of developing countries.

A bilateral issue central to discussions was also the advancement of an agreement to facilitate investments and trade. Both sides expressed warm support for such agreement, which is of particular interest for Greece since it would attract Canadian investment capital.

[14] E-commerce in Europe problematic, survey says

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

The survey, compiled in the second half of 2002 by nine independent experts and presented on Wednesday in Düsseldorf, Germany, also showed that 34 percent of all orders made in the Internet were not serviced.

The survey showed that in cases of credit card payments, almost one in four (24 percent) debits was made at the time of the order, a policy creating serious problems to consumers as the delivery time was in some cases large enough and in other cases the product failed to be delivered at all.

One in three European consumers (31.5 percent) did not get a refund of money in cases of timely return of a product, while only 37 percent of return cases were fully compensated.

The survey showed that 7.0 percent of electronic shops failed to offer detailed information over the final cost of a product, with only 33 percent of e-shops offering easy access to price information to consumers.

The survey said that a 9.0 percent of e-shops failed to give their geographical address, while a 46 percent of total shops did not offer enough information on personal data protection policies.

''The findings and conclusions of the survey justify a relatively low degree of consumer confidence in transactions through the Internet and European and national legislative and administrative authorities still having a significant task ahead to ensure a stable operation of electronic commerce in Europe,'' Greece's largest consumer organization (INKA) said.

[15] Greek EU presidency - conference on aquiculture launched on Thursday in Athens

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

At an international conference organized by the Greek agriculture ministry within the framework of the Greek European Union presidency, participants will review European strategy prospects and goals for the development of the aquiculture sector and will focus on prospective policy, legislation and guidelines that could contribute to the development of aquiculture into an integrated economic activity, competitive and environmentally viable, the release said.

The Greek European Union presidency has already initiated relative discussions at the Council and the European Parliament, based on an announcement submitted by the European Commission in December regarding a strategy for the development of the aquiculture sector.

[16] Gov't reiterates claim of 'scandal-mongering' by hostile business circles

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

He was answering questions regarding the speech made by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday to a joint meeting of PASOK's central committee and parliamentary group, in which he had claimed the existence of business interests that were seeking to undermine the government and prevent it from completing its program.

The spokesman also challenged main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis to openly name those he accused of graft and improper links with big business.

At the same time, he noted the government's efforts to keep business interests out of politics and invited ND to actively prove its desire to cooperate in achieving this goal.

He accused ND of not hesitating to present false facts to serve petty party-political ends and of adopting the ''most conservative and extreme positions that are identical to those of industry.''

''It is on these issues that our political differences are highlighted. It is time for ND to tell us its views on the economy. Its crocodile tears when there is a problem do not convince anyone,'' Protopapas concluded.

[17] Greece: equal treatment for Mediterranean products or no CAP reforms

29/05/2003(ANA)

Drys said that the Greek presidency had achieved an honest compromise with regard to agricultural reforms, and expressed his conviction that, for the first time, agricultural reforms would be completed during the presidency term of a member-state.

[18] Merchant marine minister announces grace period for shipping insurance mandate

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

The relevant draft legislation allows for the grace period beginning in November.

The draft bill now in Parliament was approved by the plenum.

[19] Three new vessels raise the Greek flag

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

The new vessels are "Navios Aegean", a 29,400 gt carrier owned by Aegean Shipping Corporation and managed by Levant Maritime International SA, "Evnia", a 31,167 gt carrier currently under construction, owned by Tranquil Navigation Ltd and managed by Blue Planet Shipping Ltd, and "Danae", a 40,662 gt carrier owned by Eaton Marine SA and managed by Diana Shipping Agencies SA.

Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis thanked the three companies for their decision to raise the Greek flag on their ships.

[20] Economy minister addresses conference on 'Women's Entrepreneurship'

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

According to data cited by the minister, there has been a great increase in the entry of women in the labor market in Greece. The percentage of women's participation in employment in 1992 was 42 per cent, while in 2002 it reached 50 per cent.

At the same time, Christodoulakis said, the participation of women in all levels of education has markedly increased these past few years. In 2000, 8.4 per cent of the female population of working age was graduates of schools of higher education. In 2002, 19.5 per cent of employed women had degrees and post-graduate degrees.

The minister further noted that Greece had the highest percentage of self-employed women in the European Union (16.7 per cent).

However, Greek women have high percentages in overall un-employment (14.5 per cent compared to 6.4 per cent for men), and their position in the labor market remains disadvantageous in comparison with men, the minister said.

[21] Eurostat says Greece has low pc and internet use but extensive mobile phone use

BRUSSELS 29/05/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

The report said that the number of personal computers in the EU increased by nine percent in 2001, while the Scandinavian countries, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have the highest percentages for every 100 inhabitants and Greece with eight computers for every 100 inhabitants and Portugal with 12 is distant from the EU average of 31 computers for every 100 inhabitants.

Regarding internet users, the highest percentages are found in Finland and the Netherlands (with 17.2 and 16.7 for every 100 inhabitants respectively), while the EU average is 3.4 users for every 100 inhabitants.

Italy has 1.2 users for every 100 inhabitants, France 1.3, Spain 1.4 and Greece 1.4 where only nine percent of households have access to the internet.

However, Greece ranks among countries having a high percentage of mobile phone users with 75.4 for every 100 inhabitants with the EU average being 73.5. The list is topped by Luxembourg with 98 out of 100.

[22] ASE surpasses 1,700 level again on Wednesday

Athens, 29/05/2003(ANA)

A positive trend in other European bourses and a renewed buying activity in the domestic market helped the general index end 1.97 percent higher at 1,708.08 points.

All sector indices ended higher with the exception of telecommunications, which fell 0.32 percent pressured by a 1.54 percent drop in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization’s share price.

The Textile, Holding and IT Solution sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (6.24 percent, 4.49 percent and 4.06 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.21 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.29 percent higher, and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 3.22 percent.

Turnover was an improved 111.4 million euros. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 305 to 35 with another 24 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Trade at discount Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: