Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-06-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis arrives in Washington for U.S.-EU annual summit

[02] U.S. official says U.S.-EU meet could contribute to transatlantic rapprochement

[03] Greek and Russian DMs discuss bilateral relations, international issues

[04] Gov't on explosives-laden motorship; Sudan demands return

[05] Greek, Italian ministers discuss EU presidency issues

[06] Greek EU presidency declaration: common position on international criminal court

[07] EU Commissioner Diamantopoulou ends visit to Bulgaria

[08] Cabinet to assess EU presidency results on Monday

[09] Petrola, Hellenic Petroleum merger deal progresses as scheduled

[10] Development minister says natural gas worth becoming basic source of energy

[11] Eurodeputies ask PM to implement EU rule on contract work

[12] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[13] ATHOC announces brisk ticket sales for 2004 Games

[14] Chinese businessman initially believed positive of having SARS virus

[15] Prosecutor recommends acquittal of all accused in Ocalan affair

[16] Magistrate to indict 20 Thessaloniki protestors on criminal charges

[17] Athens Bar Assoc. criticizes EU-US judicial cooperation pact

[18] Conference on future of EU taking place in Brussels

[19] Xiros lucid before interrogation, psychiatrist reports in N17 trial

[20] Culture minister inaugurates painting exhibition on Olympic ideals

[21] FM Iacovou says Denktash may attempt resumption of talks

[01] PM Simitis arrives in Washington for U.S.-EU annual summit

Prime Minister and European Council President Costas Simitis arrived here late Tuesday night Greek time to attend Wednesday's U.S.-EU annual summit.

The aim of the European delegation, headed by Simitis and European Commission President Romano Prodi is to smooth transatlantic relations, reach agreements on issues of mutual interest and seek ways for dealing with various political and trade matters as both the U.S. and the EU express the desire for cooperation.

The prime minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris and other senior officials.

FM says U.S.-EU summit an opportunity for many sectors of cooperation: Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Tuesday the U.S.-European Union summit taking place in Washington on Wednesday will provide the opportunity for both sides of the Atlantic to promote the many sectors in which they can cooperate for the benefit of all.

Papandreou was speaking in the U.S. capital where he has already arrived with Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos to attend the summit at which the European delegation will be headed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and European Commission President Romano Prodi.

''During our presidency, and due to the crisis in Iraq, considerable differences appeared within the EU and between Europe and the United States,'' Papandreou said, adding that during Wednesday's talks the opportunity will be given to each side to explain its views and ''for us to discuss the regions where we can cooperate such as the Middle East.''

Papandreou further said ''we do not always agree but cooperation can constitute the basis for the multipartite handling of problems'' and placed particular emphasis on the text on Europe's security strategy reached by EU Defense and Security High Commissioner Javier Solana which highlights the determination of European countries to present a common position regarding the challenges of the times.

Referring to the issue of the ship carrying 680 tones of explosives, and which is now being kept under guard by the Greek authorities, the foreign minister said ''Greece applied international rules and proved that it can guarantee security in its region and we handled the case in question in this framework.''

Use of hydrogen for peaceful purposes to be among topics at U.S.-EU summit: Working groups from the European Union and the United States have concluded in joint statements which will be issued during Wednesday's U.S.-EU summit between U.S. President George W. Bush, Greek Prime Minister and European Council President Costas Simitis and European Commission President Romano Prodi at the White House and concern the use of hydrogen for peaceful purposes, cooperation in the sector of energy and the need to confront the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The reaching of an agreement for the start of talks on the deregulation of air transport is also expected to be announced, while emphasis will also be given during the talks for peace in the Middle East and the promotion of the ''Road Map''.

The U.S. is also expected to reiterate its opposition to the entry of Libya to the UN Security Council while the European Union is maintaining a neutral stance.

Premier Simitis will also brief President Bush on the decisions taken at the recent EU summit in Halkidiki.

[02] U.S. official says U.S.-EU meet could contribute to transatlantic rapprochement

WASHINGTON 25/06/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

However, he added that the essence of the problem will continue to exist ''for as long as the EU is involved in theoretical analyses and does not handle the challenges of the times with the taking of substantive measures.''

Referring to the new ''European strategy'' presented at the EU summit by EU Defense and Security High Commissioner Javier Solana, Halsman claimed that it is another theoretical approach lacking essence, and described it as a ''paper tiger'', since ''the Europeans insist on not understanding what is going on in the world and do not increase their defense expenditures.''

He further said ''we are tired of the endless discussions and endless theoretical analyses. The time has come for the Europeans to begin handling problems with practical measures.''

Commenting on the Greek EU presidency, Halsman said it handled a difficult situation but fell victim to conflicting views since the major powers of Europe were divided, with three of them supporting the U.S. (Britain, Italy and Spain) and two being against (Germany and France).

[03] Greek and Russian DMs discuss bilateral relations, international issues

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

''Relations between Greece and the Russian Federation are extremely good, I would say excellent, but there is always ground to develop them even more substantively. With Mr. Ivanov we covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, but we also made analyses of international issues linked to the security of Europe, the Russian Federation and Greece,'' Papantoniou said afterwards.

The Greek defense minister said Greece has struggled to have Russia's equal participation in NATO achieved and its substantive cooperation in the framework of the alliance.

''Europe's space is unified and there should be no dividing lines. This is Greece's position. In any case, it is very useful, from the aspect of international policy, for there to be a powerful Russia which will function in a balancing manner towards other forces to secure international stability. In this framework, we have assessed and evaluated Russia's contribution to handling and settling international crises very positively,'' he added.

Papantoniou said that on the issue of Iraq, for example, there were absolutely converging views regarding the significance of the UN's involvement in the taking of whatever decision.

''In the Middle East we also have converging views concerning the terms with which this major international crisis must be settled. We both agree that more pressure must be exerted on Israel, particularly regarding policy on settlements, and the Palestinians' leadership must be supported more actively, which also includes President Arafat,'' the minister said.

Referring to the Balkans, he said Greece has evaluated the contribution of the Russian Federation to the consolidation of conditions of stability in the region very positively.

Papantoniou also said Greece respects absolutely Russia's decision to limit its military presence and to insist with regards to its political influence in the direction of consolidating democracy in Balkan countries.

''We had a very interesting and substantive briefing from Mr. Ivanov concerning the issues of security and terrorism which are linked to certain former republics of the Soviet Union. I wish to make it clear, in the most categorical way, that Greece supports the Russian Federation in all actions it undertakes to confront terrorism in regions harming its national security,'' he said.

Commenting on issues concerning Greece's national security, Papantoniou said he briefed Ivanov on the provocative stance observed by Turkey lately.

''Turkish intransigence on the Cyprus issue has a considerable cost because it let a big opportunity to have this international problem solved with the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union be lost,'' he added.

Papantoniou further said ''we have also ascertained that following a period of 2-3 years in which there was a recession in the promotion of Turkish claims against our sovereign rights, Turkey has returned with an aggressive attitude which is manifested with increasing violations of national airspace and the increased and persistent involvement of its aircraft in dogfights with Greek warplanes.''

The defense minister said he had the opportunity of briefing Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov on Monday, apart from his Russian counterpart Ivanov on Tuesday that Greece will continue to inform all international partners and its friends but will remain steadfast on the policy it has followed over past years.

He also reiterated that Greece supports Turkey's European prospects on condition the neighboring country changes its stance and adopts acceptable rules of international attitude both on the issue of Cyprus and the Aegean.

Papantoniou further disclosed that during his visit to Saint Petersburg on Wednesday he will have the opportunity of having a close look at the products of the Russian defense industry.

Ivanov said on his part that he and Papantoniou meet frequently in Brussels in the framework of the 20-member Russia-NATO Council, at defense minister level, and these meetings have become routine ones in a good sense.

He added that military and technical cooperation is developing successfully and expressed the wish that Papantoniou will see new specimens of Russian equipment in Saint Petersburg.

''As you have evidently understood, our views and assessments on the state of various international crises are substantively identical. This also concerns unified Europe, the situation in the Balkans, Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan and some countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States,'' Ivanov said.

Papantoniou will be visiting the Duma on Wednesday and afterwards he will be leaving for Saint Petersburg on the occasion of the International Maritime Exhibition's inauguration.

[04] Gov't on explosives-laden motorship; Sudan demands return

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

The merchant marine ministry, which also oversees the coast guard and port authorities in the country, reported that the Comores-flagged vessel had wandered across the eastern Mediterranean for 41 days before violating maritime regulations within Greek territorial waters. At last count, the coast guard discovered 680 tons of explosives and 145,000 detonators aboard the “Baltic Sky”.

Asked about official protests from the Sudanese government over the vessel’s interception, Minister George Anomeritis said the issue of whether the cargo is part of a legal or illegal transaction involves only third parties, namely, the country where the vessel is registered and the owner or agent of the ship, but not the Greek government.

“The question, however, asked by the international public opinion is: why didn’t a four-day journey, at most, from two specific ports and with such a cargo on board, not worry any of the interested parties after 41 days?” the Greek minister asked.

Additionally, the government spokesman stressed: “what interests Athens is that a ship carrying a dangerous cargo entered Greek waters without prior notification”.

The Khartoum government had earlier announced that the explosives aboard the “Baltic Sky” are for peaceful “non-military use”, while angrily condemning Athens’ actions.

Sudanese External Relations Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail also confirmed that the vessel was transporting ammonium nitrate, before criticizing Athens and promising to call the Greek ambassador to Khartoum for clarifications, according to that country’s state-run radio station.

Ammonium nitrate is a primary ingredient in so-called “fertilizer bombs” used in a handful of major terrorist strikes over the past decade worldwide, including in the deadly Oklahoma City federal building bombing in April 1995.

''The Baltic Sky'' was intercepted off the coast of Aetoloakarnania prefecture in western Greece on Sunday after being reportedly “shadowed” by western intelligence services for up to two months.

Seven crew-members, Ukrainians and Azeris, have been arrested and are due to face a local prosecutor.

The government a day earlier said the vessel sailed into the port of Gabes, Tunisia, on May 12, where it loaded the explosives and detonators. It was later spotted in the Dardanelles straits on May 21 and on the next day in Istanbul where, according to its Ukrainian skipper, the crew was rotating, while fuel and pro-visions were supplied.

At press time, army personnel at the tiny and isolated harbor of Platygiali, in western Greece, were off-loading the explosives onto trucks from transport to military depots.

[05] Greek, Italian ministers discuss EU presidency issues

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

The Italian presidency was beginning with dynamism to promote issues partly completed by the Greek presidency and new issues in its agenda, Mr Tsohatzopoulos said. The Greek minister wished success to his Italian counterpart.

Mr Byttiglione, speaking to reporters after the meeting, stressed that Italy's EU Presidency priority was competitiveness in the European Union. He noted that a Competition Council should offer to the European Council a complete long-term assessment on the ability of the European system to create new jobs and prosperity.

The Italian minister expressed his satisfaction over the course of the Greek EU presidency, stressing that it promoted several issues that the Italian presidency planned to complete, if possible.

The Greek minister will visit Rome, July 12, for the first meeting of a Competition Council to discuss internal market issues, and matters related with industry, research and technology.

[06] Greek EU presidency declaration: common position on international criminal court

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

The full text of the declaration follows below:

''Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding a declaration by the Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, and the associated countries Bulgaria and Romania and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, concerning the EU Common Position on the International Criminal Court:

''The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, and the associated countries Bulgaria and Romania and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Common Position 2003/444/CFSP on the International Criminal Court defined by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 16 June 2003, on the basis of Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that common position.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.''

[07] EU Commissioner Diamantopoulou ends visit to Bulgaria

SOFIA 25/06/2003 (ANA/B. Borisov)

Upon the conclusion of her visit, Diamantopoulou gave an interview with the Athens News Agency (ANA) in which she described last week’s EU Thessaloniki Council, marking the conclusion of Greece’s six-month rotating EU Presidency, as a historic European summit, as it set the bases for the EU constitution, it discussed a comprehensive policy on immigration and asylum, and made it clear that Europe cannot complete its unification without the Balkan nations, which form part of Europe’s perspective.

“As regards Balkan countries, Bulgaria and Romania, the EU Council was historic as it made it clear that their accession path towards the united Europe is unchangeable, given that in 2007 these countries - if, of course, they keep up their efforts, would become members of the EU,” said the Commissioner.

In reply to a question by ANA as to whether currently poverty-stricken Bulgaria could get out of that state by 2007,

Diamantopoulou said: “We should be realistic and straight ... there is no way such a problem could be overcome by 2007. However, the only way out in the near future is Bulgaria’s accession into the EU ... we should not expect miracles to happen, but better days for Bulgarian citizens upon admission into the EU,” she stressed.

The Commissioner further noted the satisfactory performance of Bulgaria’s labor ministry in implementing unemployment fighting programs, supported by the EU, even though she underlined that serious efforts must be made to radically reform Bulgaria’s public administration safeguarding an effective utilization of EU funding and program implementation.

[08] Cabinet to assess EU presidency results on Monday

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

He said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had already departed for the United States, where he was due to participate in the EU-US Summit with US President George Bush on Wednesday.

On Tuesday week, the prime minister will travel to Strasbourg to present the final review of the Greek EU presidency to the European Parliament, he said.

[09] Petrola, Hellenic Petroleum merger deal progresses as scheduled

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

Addressing an annual general shareholders' meeting, Mr Kostopoulos described the merger deal ''as the most correct business move in a globalized oil product market in which big business formations prevailed''.

He also stressed the significant synergies arising from the merger deal in the sectors of supply, distribution and investment. Synergies in operating level would exceed 25 million US dollars annually, Petrola's chief executive said. He reiterated that all jobs were secured and said that new job opportunities could arise from the expansion of the company.

Mr Kostopoulos said that the company would pay a 0.17 euros per share dividend to shareholders, or a dividend return of 5.4 percent - one of the highest among Greek listed companies.

Petrola said its pre-tax profits totalled 28.1 million euros last year, up 368.3 percent from 2001.

[10] Development minister says natural gas worth becoming basic source of energy

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

During the event, organized by the Attica Gas Provision Company under the auspices of the Development Ministry, Tsohatzopoulos underlined that natural gas is worth becoming the basic source of energy for use by citizens. He said that it is not only the cheapest and cleanest source of energy, but it is also safe as safety standards are very high.

With regard to abundance of the specific source of energy, the minister stressed that it has been achieved through the connection with the Siberian pipeline which provides Greece with six billion cubic meters a year. At the same time great abundance is expected to be provided as of 2005 from the foreseen new connections for the transfer of natural gas from the Caspian and in particular from the regions of Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.

[11] Eurodeputies ask PM to implement EU rule on contract work

BRUSSELS 25/06/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

Although Directive 1999/70 has been adopted by Greece, the number and extent of exemptions incorporated into national law have negated its implementation, the deputies told Simitis, who is also the EU's current rotating president.

The move was initiated by Greek Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos, who said in a statement on Tuesday that the parliamentarians had asked Simitis to rectify the situation before the end of the country's EU presidency on June 30.

The eurodeputies who signed the letter were from all member states of the EU and all political persuasions represented in parliament, Alavanos said.

[12] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 25/06/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.34 percent to end at 1,881.27 points, with turnover a moderate 148.5 million euros.

The Wholesale, Insurance and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.08 percent, 3.05 percent and 2.84 percent, respectively), while the retail, publication and telecommunication sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.13 percent, 0.77 percent and 0.13 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.16 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.52 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.63 percent down and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index fell 0.38 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 238 to 81 with another 40 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 65.4 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: