Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis reviews Greek EU Presidency during cabinet session

[02] Powell congratulates Papandreou on Greece's EU presidency performance

[03] Chinese FM says China pursuing preservation of world peace

[04] FM spokesman on Middle East

[05] Greece signs agreement for campaign to promote public awareness of EU

[06] Report shows majority wants creation of European military force

[07] GMF announces Greek contribution of 750,000 euro for Balkan Trust for Democracy

[08] PASOK executive bureau to meet on Wednesday

[09] Turkish F-16s fly close to civilian aircraft near Rhodes

[10] Coalition says Greek Parl't should ratify EU-US judicial agreement

[11] Church of Greece presses for reference to Christianity in Euro-Constitution

[12] Labor ministry amendment for renewal of foreigners' work permits

[13] Cabinet considers measures for upcoming heat wave

[14] Press minister says mass media must be guardians of democracy

[15] Thessaloniki hosts UN meeting on fishery in the Mediterranean region

[16] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

[17] International Olympic Committee's EC approves Olympic Games medals

[18] Gov't presents program for building facade overhaul around Olympic venues

[19] Jailed publisher petitions for pre-trial release

[20] N17 court hears defense witnesses for Giotopoulos and other accused

[21] Transport minister inaugurates museum at Athens airport

[22] Italy says Cyprus issue must be urgently resolved

[01] PM Simitis reviews Greek EU Presidency during cabinet session

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, premier Simitis described the EU presidency as especially successful, noting that positive comments were made by a large part of the media in many member-states.

In statements after the end of the cabinet meeting, Simitis said the Greek EU Presidency had successfully accomplished all the priorities and targets it set, including EU enlargement, approval of the draft EU Constitution, enhancement of the Lisbon decisions, immigration and foreign policy and EU defense and security policy.

The premier noted that the Greek presidency encountered the Iraq crisis, which had caused a rift within the Union and between the EU and the US. He said that handlings by Greece allowed a stronger EU presence in the international scene, with Greece receiving positive comments.

In addition, Simitis referred to EU enlargement, highlighting the signing by Cyprus of its EU accession pact, together with another nine states, to become a full member in May 2004.

Referring to the Middle East problem, the premier said that recent developments were also the result of initiatives taken by the Greek presidency, while he described developments in EU-Western Balkans relations as a significant step forward.

However, according to Simitis the top matter during the semester was the promotion of the draft EU Constitution, which the Greek presidency accomplished successfully in spite of pessimistic forecasts and estimates by some EU member-states.

Simitis made special mention of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the agreement reached at the latest ministerial Council on the basis of a compromise solution for CAP reform prepared by the Greek presidency.

He said the new CAP was a ‘double’ success for Greece, as apart from the agreement reached by the EU-25 agriculture ministers, Greek positions and demands were also met.

Simitis further disclosed that during the EU Thessaloniki Council, he had had a discussion on CAP reform with French President Jacques Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and all three had agreed on the new CAP.

Greek PM briefs President Stephanopoulos on results of Greek EU presidency: Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday briefed President Costis Stephanopoulos on the results of Greece's six-month mandate in the European Union presidency, one day before the presidency is to be handed over to Italy.

Coming out of the one-hour meeting, both men stressed that the EU presidency had been very successful and had managed to preserve unity in Europe during the Iraq crisis while at the same time pushing ahead for the solution of lingering issues and the approval of the first draft of Europe's Constitution.

Simitis said that a number of significant world events in the past semester had made the Union to realize its potential, boundaries and obligations, leading it to work on the problems and seek new solutions.

''Europe today is not the Europe of December 2002, not only because is was enlarged and now numbers 25 members, not only because it has to make decisions on a new Constitution, but also because it now sees that it must adopt a common foreign policy, a common defense policy'', the prime minister said, adding: ''It should also focus its attention and efforts on a very big plan on development.''

The prime minister said he pleased at having carried out the Union's presidency and at Greece's contribution to the new reasoning and the changes that were realized.

European Commission: Greek EU Presidency 'interesting': The European Commission's overall rating of the Greek presidency over the past six months is that it was ''interesting'', as it commenced under difficult circumstances while in turn promo-ting several issues that had been lingering for years, the Commission’s Press and Communication general director said here on Monday.

Speaking at a press luncheon, Commission representative Panos Karvounis said the Greek presidency had managed to oversee settlements on certain long-standing issues, such as a Community-wide system for registering patents as well as the tax rates for savings, another pending matter since 1980.

The Commission's press director also said the presidency's activities during war in Iraq allowed the Union to exit the crisis practically unscathed.

''According to European circles, the Greek presidency preserved the bloc's unity, and from a European point of view, I believe we should be pleased,'' Karvounis said.

Account made of Greek EU presidency at permanent EU delegation level: The Greek European Union presidency appears to be very effective regarding a series of important issues with overall results being triple the average of previous presidencies, according to an account of its work presented to Greek reporters in Brussels on Monday at permanent EU delegation level.

According to the Greek presidency, its most important achievements are the agreement on the EU patent, the common position on the second railway package, the deregulation of the internal electric power and natural gas market, the agreement on the enactment of a directive on environmental responsibility and the agreement on the package on pharmaceutical legislation revision.

In connection with the transport sector, particular significance is placed on the agreement on speeding up the process of removing single hull tankers, the decision authorizing the European Commission to begin negotiations with the United States in the air transport sector and the achievement of general orientation on the mandate concerning the minimum levels of seamen's training.

During the presentation of its account, the Greek presidency also noted achievements concerning the agreement on the cross border movement of genetically modified organisms, the agreement on Common Agricultural Policy revision, the enactment of the tripartite Social Summit, progress on the mandate on work terms for the temporarily employed and the agreement and decision on the signing of the World Health Organization’s draft agreement on smoking control.

[02] Powell congratulates Papandreou on Greece's EU presidency performance

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Powell referred to the results of the U.S.-EU annual summit which was held in Washington on June 25, describing it as ''very positive'' for transatlantic relations, and also to the recent developments in the Middle East, expressing Washington's satisfaction over the decision of the three Palestinian organizations for truce as well as over the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli military forces from Gaza and the West Bank.

Papandreou also referred at length on this issue, noting that for the EU the truce constitutes a positive step in the direction of the implementation of the ''Road Map'' for the Middle East.

[03] Chinese FM says China pursuing preservation of world peace

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Li, who held talks with the European Union troika in Athens on Monday, added that disagreement and differences should only be resolved through dialogue.

The Chinese minister said efforts were made to settle the issue of nuclear weapons in Korea with talks held in Beijing on April 23, which constitute a good beginning.

On his part, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed the EU's satisfaction over the first multipartite talks with the United States, North Korea and China, and its support for the peninsula's denuclearization.

Talks were also attended by EU Security and Defense Policy High Commissioner Javier Solana.

Papandreou said to him ''the strategic concepts prepared by your groups will be registered in European history.''

Referring to Iraq, Papandreou said Confucius said there is a ''risk'' and ''opportunities'' in every ''crisis'', adding that at the EU efforts had been made to find the opportunities and learn from the crisis named Iraq.

Solana expressed his thanks and his congratulations to Papandreou and Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his associates for their work during the Greek EU presidency.

Papandreou and his Chinese counterpart exchanged many compliments for each other's country in light of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

They also underlined the great importance they attribute to relations between the EU and China.

An extensive agenda of issues was presented during Monday's talks which included, apart from relations between the two sides and crucial regional issues, the question of weapons of mass destruction and of human rights in China.

According to reports from diplomatic circles, the Greek side raised the issue of the need for an improvement in human rights standards in China.

Greek FM meets Chinese counterpart who signs Olympic Truce proclamation: Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing on Monday who is on a visit to Athens to attend the European Union-China conference.

After the meeting, Li signed the Olympic Truce proclamation and said in a statement that security is above all for his country's foreign policy and peace is a necessary precondition for this to be achieved.

The Chinese foreign minister assured his Greek counterpart that China will join its efforts with all who are struggling for a safer and more peaceful world, to enable the Greek spirit of Olympism to prevail.

On his part, Papandreou stressed the significance of cooperation with China for the Olympic Truce to become an institution again, since this country will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2008.

[04] FM spokesman on Middle East

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

He said Greece and Italy already had deliberations on the issue to ensure continuity of the Union's policy in the region.

Beglitis also said a C-130 carrier would leave Athens for Baghdad on Wednesday on a mission to bring back Iraqi children in need of immediate medical and hospital care.

[05] Greece signs agreement for campaign to promote public awareness of EU

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Similar memoranda have been signed by France, Italy and Spain.

Under the agreement, the parties involved agree on the need to coordinate domestic information and communication strategies related to the EU in the framework of a campaign on two levels.

The first concerns general information that will increase overall awareness of the Union's presence and legality and highlight its image and role, while the second will focus on the most important tasks and goals of the EU, with emphasis on priority issues.

The priority issues under this program are chosen with the joint agreement of the Commission, the Euro-Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.

For 2003-2004, the priority issues will be enlargement, the future of the EU, the freedoms, security and justice area and the EU's global role.

[06] Report shows majority wants creation of European military force

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

According to the report, the European military force should intervene to tackle natural disasters (76.6 percent), undertake humanitarian aid missions (76 percent), defend the EU's territorial integrity (74.4 percent), act to defend human rights within the EU (63 percent) and participate in international peacekeeping operations (61.6 percent).

Only one out of three respondents agrees to interventions by the European military force outside the EU's borders, while only 18 percent agree with the replacement of national armed forces by a common European army.

The respondents believe that the most serious threats are the entry of immigrants (33.6 percent), the proliferation of nuclear armaments (33.3 percent), international terrorism (30 percent), drug trafficking (27.8 percent), inequality between rich and poor (26.9 percent) and a third world war (23.5 percent).

Moreover, one out of two respondents (51.4 percent) agrees absolutely or more or less with the shaping of a common European security and defense policy.

[07] GMF announces Greek contribution of 750,000 euro for Balkan Trust for Democracy

The government of Greece has pledged 750,000 euro, over a three year period, to support good governance and regional cooperation in the Balkans through a GMF project called the Balkan Trust for Democracy, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) announced on Monday.

The Balkan Trust is a public-private partnership made possible by founding contributions from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and GMF.

The Greek contribution, which was first announced by Foreign Minister George Papandreou during a GMF event in advance of the U.S.-EU summit last week, will be added to the Balkan Trust’s existing $25 million dollar grant making endowment, a GMF announcement said.

“Throughout Greece’s Presidency of the European Union, I have highlighted the importance of promoting stability, democracy, and economic development in the Balkans. I believe that the Balkan Trust for Democracy will help the countries of the region to complete their transition to full-fledged democratic societies,” the announcement cited Papandreou as saying.

The $25 million, ten-year initiative will award approximately $2 million in grants each year to local civic groups, non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, educational institutions, and the media. Grants will support initiatives that improve the connections between citizens and their governments and will also foster cross-border cooperation to promote the region-wide political and civil society development necessary for the long-term stability of South-eastern Europe, the announcement said.

“The Balkan Trust for Democracy represents a substantial commitment by GMF and our partners to support the Balkan countries in their efforts to achieve democratic consolidation and membership in NATO and the European Union. The Greek Government's commitment to this initiative not only strengthens this unique public-private partnership but also shows that even in this time of difficult transatlantic relations, the Balkan region is a place where U.S.-European cooperation continues to be strong,” said Craig Kennedy, president of GMF.

The Balkan Trust for Democracy is a project of the German Marshall Fund headquartered in Belgrade. It will begin making grants in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo) in July of 2003. Initial funding for the Balkan Trust includes 10 million euro from USAID, 10 million dollars from GMF, and 5 million dollars from the Charles Steward Mott Foundation. GMF is paying all overhead and staff costs so that all contributions to the Balkan Trust will be paid out in grants to local organizations, the announcement added.

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is an independent American grant making and public policy institution founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany. Its mission is to promote transatlantic cooperation and understanding. USAID is the principal foreign assistance agency of the US government. The Mott Foundation, founded in 1926, is a private philanthropy institution committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The Government of Greece holds the European Union Presidency from January through June 2003 and has made integration of Southeastern Europe a priority of its term of office.

[08] PASOK executive bureau to meet on Wednesday

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

A PASOK announcement said the meeting was agreed in a telephone conversation between Simitis and executive bureau secretary Costas Laliotis, with whom the premier was likely to meet before the executive bureau session in order to discuss the topics for the meeting's agenda.

According to all indications, the as yet unspecified initiatives that the premier has pledged will initially concern the ruling party, followed by initiatives concerning the government.

[09] Turkish F-16s fly close to civilian aircraft near Rhodes

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

According to the pilot on the Veravia plane, the two fighter jets came within 3-5 miles of the civilian aircraft at a height of 19,000 feet, some 40 miles southeast of the Greek island of Rhodes.

The Turkish planes were intercepted by Greek F-16s.

[10] Coalition says Greek Parl't should ratify EU-US judicial agreement

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Constantopoulos rejected government arguments that the agreement had been contracted on an EU level and that there was therefore no provision for ratification by the Greek Parliament.

''The invocation of various excuses for avoiding ratification do not convince anyone. If the prime minister feels good abroad and bad at home that is his own affair. It would be good if he showed the same consideration for the Greek people as he does for (US President George) Bush,'' Constantopoulos said after the meeting.

He also claimed that the texts signed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and other texts government EU-US relations by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou essentially 'gave everything' to US justice.

[11] Church of Greece presses for reference to Christianity in Euro-Constitution

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

The Holy Synod’s chairman, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, again briefed the Church of Greece’s bi-shops and metropolitans over his criticism of certain European leaders that he charged are “censuring” a future Euro-constitution. Speaking a day earlier at the same spot beneath the Acropolis where the Apostle Paul preached to the ancient Athenians, Christodoulos cited what he called an “attempt to abolish any reference to Christianity.”

He also indirectly referred to the need for a referendum on the constitution, while stressing that all of Europe’s Christian denominations want a reference to Christianity in such a document.

Finally, Christodoulos said the Church of Greece would continue pushing for such a reference regardless of what other churches or denominations decide in the end.

Afterwards, a Holy Synod spokesman noted that Orthodox ecclesiastical leaders did not finalize the measures and initiatives they will take, although he did not rule out any legal means.

[12] Labor ministry amendment for renewal of foreigners' work permits

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

The amendment offers the opportunity to those who do not fulfill this prerequisite, for them to pay a lump sum payment to the social insurance fund.

[13] Cabinet considers measures for upcoming heat wave

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Simitis said that all necessary measures had been taken and estimated that no particular problems would arise due to the high temperatures expected between Wednesday and Friday.

The spokesman said that a Coordinating Cross-ministry Organ will meet on Tuesday morning to examine the results of the mobilization begun the previous Friday and to finalize the measures that will apply during the three-day heat wave.

[14] Press minister says mass media must be guardians of democracy

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

Protopapas was addressing a conference organized on Monday night by the Journalism Studies and Research Institute in cooperation with the ''Ath. Bosi'' Journalism Promotion foundation on the issue of ''Corruption in the mass media sector and its social and economic repercussions''.

He added that shielding transparency is a focal and steadfast option of the government.

Addressing the conference, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also said the mass media are being used deliberately by economic power as a pressure apparatus, meaning for the extortion of politics and for transaction when there is a deficit of political ethics or dynamic resistance.

[15] Thessaloniki hosts UN meeting on fishery in the Mediterranean region

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

The closed-door meeting will end July 3rd.

Scientists participating in the meeting will aim to promote a co-operation among countries in the Mediterranean region on fishery product management issues.

The Thessaloniki meeting follows a meeting in Rome in July 2002 that agreed the agenda of this year's conference. Scientists are expected to present their reports, both on fish populations and fishermen in the Mediterranean region and to try finding answers to various problems.

The meeting brings together representatives from Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Romania, Spain, Serbia-Montenegro, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

[16] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

Athens, 01/07/2003 (ANA)

The general index dropped 0.50 percent to end at 1,892.04 points, with turnover a moderate 124.3 million euros.

The Construction, Insurance and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.03 percent, 1.61 percent and 1.58 percent, respectively), while the IT Solution, Metal and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (3.41 percent, 1.55 percent and 0.56 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.29 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.75 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.15 percent down. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index eased 0.46 percent.

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