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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-11Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>July, 11 2003CONTENTS
[01] Economy needs structural reform to boost employment, gov't saysAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The Greek economy needs, more than ever, to implement structural reforms to boost employment in the country, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Thursday.Speaking to reporters, after a five-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and other government ministers to discuss economic conditions, Mr Christodoulakis said that ''we are in the final run in the 10 months until the general elections and we must strengthen our efforts to boost economic performance and most of all to show results in competitiveness and employment.'' The Greek minister stressed that a new Olympic Airways would be created soon, a company that would fulfill all preconditions of viability and competitiveness. The meeting also discussed measures to support investments in the country's energy market. Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis, speaking to reporters earlier, said that the ministry was expected to finalize and submit to parliament an amendment for the creation of New Olympic Airways. Mr Verelis said that the new company would begin operations in September. The minister also reiterated the government's intention to merge the country's Post Savings Bank with Bank of Attica. Mr Verelis noted that if the plan did not work out, the Post Savings Bank would be listed as an autonomous entity in the Athens Stock Exchange in the next few months. Gov't, civil servants to finalize details of new pay scale: The government and the civil servants' union are to hold a final meeting to settle details of a new pay scale starting on January 1, 2004. Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told reporters on Thursday that wage rises of 4.0-6.0 percent would be awarded for 2004, according to individual brackets on the scale. The increase for pensions would be more than 4.0 percent, or even 5.0 percent, the minister said. [02] Gov't to bring proposal for reforming electoral system, spokesman saysAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The government wanted to take steps to address the ''unfairness'' of the present electoral system and intended to make a proposal for dialogue on this issue, which will be discussed at next week's cabinet meeting, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Thursday.''Society wants us to move forward, it wants progress and demands changes to the electoral system,'' the spokesman said, adding that the present system was choking progress, meritocracy and transparency. ''We are open to talks on the issue so that the election law will stop blocking the development of our political system and we believe conditions are ripe for this change,'' he added. Protopapas then expressed hope that main opposition New Democracy will participate in this dialogue and not ''watch from afar''. Concerning the strong reservations expressed by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology regarding the government's announcement, Protopapas noted that they were getting ahead of themselves since the government's proposal had not yet been made. The spokesman said that the present system, in which each vote counted as 0.7, was demonstrably ''very unfair'' and if the parties refused all discussion because they were not getting the changes exactly how they wanted them, the present system would have to remain until 2010. ''Is this what the Left wants?'' he asked. He also stressed that the government did not want to take anyone by surprise and had never claimed that the changes would apply in 2004. The government's primary aim was ''not to perpetuate a situation that we all accept is not right. If the problem is when the new system will go into effect, we accept that it should go into effect from 2008,'' he said. Changes to electoral districts and election law should be combined in a comprehensive package governed by a single logic. Unless there were cross-party political agreements to do otherwise, the next elections would take place with the present system of electoral districts, he said. [03] KKE does not rule out voting against EU enlargement in ParliamentNICOSIA 11/07/03 (ANA - G. Leonidas)The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Thursday did not rule out that it might vote against the European Union Enlargement Treaty when it comes for ratification before the Greek Parliament.KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga, stopping shortly in Nicosia on her way to Syria, said her party believed that Cyprus' EU accession should be connected to the settlement of the political issue on the island. While in Nicosia, Papariga met AKEL leader and Cyprus House president Demetris Christofias, who said his party shared KKE's view on the Cyprus issue. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The Cyprus Republic signed its Accession Treaty to the EU on April 16, 2003, and is participating in EU meetings as an observer until its full accession on May 1, 2004. Asked to comment on Paparigas' statement, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas from Athens said he disagreed with that view, ''however each political party is entitled to its opinion.'' [04] Greek EU Commissioner denies alleged breach of ethicsAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greek European Commissioner for transport Anna Diamantopoulou on Thursday countered allegations that she was guilty of a breach of ethics through her involvement and ownership of a company named Ergon Plan, responding to charges made the previous day by main opposition MP for Magnesia Athanassios Nakos.In a detailed announcement made in Vareze, Italy, where she was attending an informal EU labor ministers' council, Diamantopoulou said she had repeatedly answered questions before Parliament and in the media concerning her one-time stake and directorial post in the firm, while stressing that her personal involvement had ceased in 1993 when she became involved in politics. Her husband I. Salavanos, who took over ownership and management of the firm after she left, said that the firm had voluntarily limited its dealings with the public sector to the provision of vocational training services only. He clarified that the subsidiary KEK Ergon had been created in response to a 1995 law that said vocational training could only be provided by Vocational Training Centers (KEK) and was solely in charge of the company's remaining public-sector contracts. Salavanos said that he had completely withdrawn as director of Ergon KEK in August 1999, after his wife became EU Commissioner in June that year. Due to his withdrawal from Ergo plans management and the drastic reduction in its activities after 1993, Salavanos said, he had sold 20 per cent at the start of 2000 and the remaining 30 per cent in the start of 2001. In her own announcement, Diamantopoulou claimed there was an orchestrated attempt by "different centers" to cast aspersions on her political honor and dignity and said that she had already taken all appropriate legal action. [05] Interior minister meets new PASOK party secretaryAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Thursday visited ruling PASOK's newly-elected Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis and afterwards pledged to fully support the new PASOK secretary's work, so that Chrysohoidis might achieve his goals for the good of the party."At this time we are creating great fronts of change in our political system, in democracy and its institutional composition and our party must be in the front line of the battle for its reconstruction and modernization," he said. Asked about the main opposition's reaction to the government's proposal for reforms to electoral law, Skandalidis said that New Democracy might change its mind in a few days, when the government's proposals were announced. Sources said the government's positions on changes to electoral law will be presented on Thursday next week. [06] U.S. ambassador pays courtesy call on deputy defense ministerAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Deputy Defense Minister Theodoros Kotsonis received his first courtesy call on Thursday from U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas J. Miller.During the meeting, held at Miller's request, Kotsonis received the U.S. diplomat's wishes, while views were exchanged on the country's bilateral and international relations and issues of multipartite interest were discussed also in light of the scheduled session of the High Level Greek-U.S. Advisory Committee to be convened in Washington in coming months. [07] GDP up 4.3 pct in the first quarter of 2003 yr/yrBRUSSELS 11/07/03 (ANA/B.Demiris)Greece's gross domestic product (GDP) rose 4.3 percent in the first quarter of 2003 against the same period a year earlier, Eurostat, the EU's statistics service, said on Thursday.In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2002, Greek GDP showed a 2.9 percent rise against an increase of 0.1 percent in the EU and eurozone, Eurostat said in a statement. Greece showed the highest rate of GDP growth in the first quarter of 2003 among its EU partners, the statement said. [08] Govt rejects petrol station owners' demand for more timeAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The threat of fuel shortages in Greece came closer on Thursday after the government rejected a demand by petrol station owners for a new delay in implementing a measure to install cashier machines linked with fuel pumps at petrol stations.Finance Deputy Minister Apostolos Fotiadis rejected petrol owners demand and stressed that the measure would be launched September 1st after the government has already approved two delays in previous deadlines. Petrol station owners on Wednesday announced they will close down their businesses indefinitely threatening to leave the country without fuel during the peak summer holiday season. [09] EU funds' absorption rate steady at 22 pct in JuneAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greece's EU funds' absorption rate was steady at 22 percent of total community participation in June, unchanged from the previous month as no new applications for money handouts were submitted during the month, official figures showed on Thursday.Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas, presenting a monthly report on the course of EU funds' absorption rate in Greece, said that new payment applications were expected to be submitted in July. The ministry report said that by the end of June more than 10,500 plans for projects and actions, budgeted at around 20 billion euros or 63 percent of Third Community Support Framework program, have been submitted, while around one-third of the program was already under implementation. Total EU funds' inflows to Greece reached 4.6 billion euros, or 147 percent of money pledges for 2001, evidence that the country did not risk losing money from the Third Community Support Framework program. [10] Aspis Bank to acquire Grind lays' Greek businessAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Aspis Bank SA is to acquire Greek operations of Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank, it said in statement on Thursday.Grindlays has two branches in Greece, one in Athens and the other in Piraeus, which engage in commercial and corporate banking. The branches have a total of 60 personnel, Aspis said. ''This move by Aspis Bank is part of a strategy of conservative expansion through the acquisition of complementary banking operations, including the recent acquisition of the commercial and retail banking divisions of ABN Amro in Greece,'' the statement added. [11] Italian Mondo company official supplier for Athens OlympicAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The Italian Mondo company has been proclaimed an official supplier of the 2004 Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games for the floors of the Athens Olympic Stadium and the Peace and Friendship Stadium, as well as for the equipment of the Olympic Stadium.The relevant contract was signed at the Organizing Committee's head office on Thursday morning by its managing director Marton Simicek and the Mondo company's President Ferdinando Stropiana. The total value of equipment and services to be used amounts to 2,151 million euros. [12] Loulis Mills wholly acquires Bulgarian firmAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Athens-quoted Loulis Mills SA on Thursday completed the acquisition through a subsidiary of a company in Bulgaria.The subsidiary, Life Bulgaria Ltd, acquired 50,000 shares in Kraps Mel 1 SA, representing 25 percent of the target company, Loulis said in a statement. Life already held 75 percent of stock in Kraps, with the latest purchase taking its stake to 100 percent, the statement said. Kraps owns 55 percent of another Bulgarian firm, Sofia Mel SA, Loulis added. [13] State hospital doctors in Athens, Piraeus to strike FridayAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)State hospital doctors in Athens and Piraeus are to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday, in a call for the government to recruit doctors for more than 1,000 vacant posts around the country.The Union of Athens and Piraeus Hospital Doctors said in a statement on Thursday that hospitals would have skeleton staff to handle emergencies, as required by law. The union is also seeking classification of their profession as employment hazardous to health and to have duty shifts included in pension calculations. In addition, doctors want an improved pay scale and working hours, the statement said. [14] Building activity up 19.8 pct in Jan-March, yr/yrAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)A booming housing loan market, supported by low interest rates, pushed domestic building activity 19.8 percent higher, based on volume, in the first quarter of 2003 compared with the same period last year, the National Statistics Service said on Thursday.Building activity growth was 19.9 percent in first two months of the year suggesting that the sector was largely unaffected by any economic consequences before and during the war in Iraq. Total building activity, including the public sector, rose by 16 percent in the first three months of the year (based on volume) and by 20.7 percent in March. [15] Farm ministry to impose stiff fines on exporter of listeria-infested fetaAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The leadership of the agriculture ministry on Thursday took swift action against a Greek feta-cheese exporter, following recent reports by Norwegian control agencies that they had seized four tones of the product infected with listeria.Agriculture Minister George Drys ordered that the ''Kolios'' company be immediately referred to an investigating magistrate in accordance with the law and initiated procedures to impose stiff fines and suspend the operating license of the 'Kolios' factory. Deputy Agriculture Minister Fotis Hatzimichalis ordered internal audits to verify the closure of the company's factory in Kilkis, northern Greece, although he said that tests carried out on various batches of cheese produced by the same company turned out negative. He also said that three-member committees will be established at prefecture level throughout Greece to monitor the production process of feta. The company confirmed in an announcement on Tuesday that none of the batch of suspect feta cheese had reached the Greek market. [16] Authorities OK public call by Crown for Hellas Can stockAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The capital market commission on Thursday approved an application by Crown Holdings Inc of the US to make a public call through a subsidiary for the purchase of stock in Hellas Can SA.The shares are to be sought through Societe de Participations Carnaud-Metalbox Investments SAS in order to wholly acquire the Athens-quoted firm. Carnaud, which already owns 72.79 percent of Hellas Can, will offer 5.50 euros per share to acquire the remaining 27.21 percent of stock in the Greek firm. The offer price exceeds the share's average market value by 0.85 euros, or 18.3 percent per share between May 23, 2003 and June 23, 2003. [17] Greek consumers not threatened by electricity shortages, minister saysAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greek consumers were not threatened by electricity shortages despite a strike action by Public Power Enterprise workers, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Thursday.The Greek minister stressed that there was not reaction to a proposed draft legislation on energy sector deregulation in the country, as it ensured PPC's interests, and the participation of private investors in the sector. Mr Tsohatzopoulos also said that his ministry was trying to ensure the continuation of talks between the government and petrol station owners in an effort to avert a threatened indefinite strike action that could paralyze the country during the summer. [18] Greek stocks fall for second consecutive sessionAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greek stocks remained under pressure for the second consecutive session to end lower, although not far away from the critical 2,000-point level, in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday.Traders said that a negative climate in other European bourses affected sentiment in the Greek market. The general index fell 0.30 percent to end at 1,990,98 points, with turnover a moderate 161.3 million euros. The IT Solutions, Retail and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (5.98 percent, 0.99 percent and 0.88 percent, respectively), while the Publication (3.11 percent), Industrial (1.02 percent) and Construction (0.85 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.08 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.98 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.12 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 167 to 154 with another 43 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 71.1 mln euros Thursday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Thursday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of July 10 2003 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,143 1,117 [19] Faithful pay their respects to deceased Metropolitan of ThessalonikiAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The body of Thessaloniki Metropolitan Panteleimon II lay in state in the Agios Dimitrios Cathedral on Thursday as the faithful came forward to pay their respects to the cleric who had been the city's religious leader since 1974.Dimitrios died on Wednesday at the age of 78. He was found dead in a cell outside a monastery on Mount Athos where he used to rest during the summer months. Church bells in the city tolled mournfully all day, while the funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Cathedral of Aghios Dimitrios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki. Sadness over the passing of Panteleimon was expressed in messages to the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and in statements by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Haris Kastanidis, Deputy Education and Religion Minister Nikos Gesoulis, the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party's Sports and Culture department leader George Orfanos and representatives of the city's political youth organizations, agencies and professional organizations. ND leader Costas Karamanlis also stressed in a statement that Panteleimon II served the great and historic city of Thessaloniki for 29 years and distinguished himself for his devotion to the tradition and order of the Church, the purity and unselfishness of his life and the integrity of his character. The Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis Dionysios has been appointed overseer of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki until a new Metropolitan is elected to succeed Panteleimon II. [20] Ombudsman presents new assistants, launches hotline for calls on child abuseAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greek Ombudsman Giorgos Kaminis at a press conference on Thursday presented his new assistants and announced the launch of a new department dedicated to the protection of children's rights, as well as a hotline for receiving reports of child abuse.In presenting his five deputies, Kaminis, who took over the office in April 2003 from Nikiforos Diamantouros elected to serve as European Ombudsman, said prevention, not punishment, was the objective of the new team. The new Ombudsman Deputies are Andreas Taklis, Human Rights, Patrina Paparrigopoulou, Health and Social Welfare, Georgia Yiannakourou, Quality of Life, Kalliopi Spanou, State-Citizen Relations and George Moschos, Children's Rights. The Greek Ombudsman investigates individual administrative actions or omissions or material actions taken by government departments or public services that infringe upon the personal rights or violate the legal interests of individuals or legal entities. [21] President Stephanopoulos gives awards to expatriate mediaAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos gave the awards during an event on Thursday night honoring the expatriate mass media for the year 2002, underlining the importance of the existence and action of expatriate Hellenism and of the expatriate mass media.Referring to the world's state of affairs, President Stephanopoulos said it is now influenced by the only superpower and by other strong European Union countries, but noted that every effort aimed at promoting national issues is commendable. Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas stressed in his address the need for a national communication strategy, as well as the need for caution, seriousness, responsibility and self-restraint regarding national issues. The annual awards were given by the press and media ministry to expatriate media for the fifth consecutive year and were divided into four categories. The award for the expatriate media of the year 2002 was given jointly to the radio station Hellenic Radio Service of W.A. from Australia, the radio station London Greek Radio from Britain and the newspaper Chronos from Ukraine. The award carries a cash prize of 24,000 euros. The award for the best report of the year 2002 in the expatriate radio and television media was divided between the journalist George Diamantoulis from Australia and the journalist Vassilis Avramis from Canada. The award carries a cash prize of 9,000 euros. The award for the best article or report of the year 2002 in the expatriate press was divided between the journalist Dimitris Theodorikakos from Australia and Nikos Sidiropoulos from Russia. The award carries a cash prize of 5,000 euros. The award for the best website of the year 2002 was given to the Youth Union from Germany. The award carries a cash prize of 6,000 euros. [22] More defense witnesses testify in N17 trialAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The ongoing trial of 19 suspected terrorists accused of belonging to the urban guerrilla organization ''November 17'' continued before the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court on Thursday with the testimony of more defense witnesses for the accused.First on the stand was Constantinos Panousopoulos, who said he was not acquainted with any of the accused and had been asked to testify as an expert in electronics regarding the detonating mechanisms used by N17. The witness told the court, however, that he had no knowledge of explosives and also revealed that his brother Giorgos Panousopoulos had been arrested in connection with the terrorist case the previous summer, after the explosion in Piraeus that gave police their first breakthrough against N17. He said his brother had not been told why he was being detained and was released because there was no evidence against him. The alleged operations chief of the terror band, Dimitris Koufodinas, told the court that N17 had used remote control devices with highly coded signals to detonate its bombs and claimed that these were tested ''for hundreds of hours'' to ensure that they did not go off accidentally. The claim was refuted by the public prosecutor on the bench, however, who pointed out that N17 had not shown the same regard for the life of Thanos Axarlian, a passer-by killed when the group launched a rocket against a target in a busy central Athens road. The defense also called the journalist George Karrabulas, author of the book ''Urban Guerrilla Warfare'' - on which police had found fingerprints of some of the accused. Karambelas said he was not personally acquainted with any of the defendants but described the motives of N17's members as purely political. He said armed groups in Greece were part of the popular movement and did not have a single leader but a 'leadership pyramid' with several dominant figures. He also claimed that several people 'of very high caliber' contributed to the writing of N17's proclamations and described the group's attitude as 'elitist' in comparison with others of their kind. During Thursday's session, the court rejected a petition by the defense for Vassilis Tzortzatos for another expert appraisal of fingerprints belonging to the defendant that were found on a police cap. The court then heard testimony from psychiatrist Katerina Matsa regarding the mental condition of Aggeliki Sotiropoulou, whom she had examined the previous December. Matsa said the conditions of Sotiropoulou's incarceration were particularly harsh, amounting to 'sensory isolation', and were capable of crushing a prisoner's personality more effectively than physical torture. She noted, however, that Sotiropoulou appeared to feel wronged but had not collapsed. During the psychiatrist's testimony, the accused Savvas Xiros stormed out of the courtroom in a rage, heading back to his cell, after the prosecutor on the bench claimed he had confessed while in hospital because he was afraid he might die. The last witness on the stand was civil engineer Ilias Tsipiras, who had built the house shared by Koufodinas and Sotiropoulou in Varnava. He said the cost of the house was between 23 and 25 million drachmas and that it had not been completed, while not all the sum had been paid yet. [23] ANA launches new magazine within the framework of EQUALAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The Athens News Agency on Thursday launched the first issue of ''METOIKOS'', a magazine put together with the cooperation of Communities of Refugees and Migrants from ten countries, within the framework of the European Union's EQUAL program.Focusing on concerns shared by the refugee and migrant communities in Greece, the magazine includes articles, inter-views, and special features on books and events, written primarily by refugees and immigrants in Greek and English, with summaries provided in Albanian, Arabic and Turkish. The European Union's EQUAL initiative is funded by the European Social Fund and examines ways of eliminating discrimination and inequalities faced by workers and individuals seeking work. There are 24 agencies participating in the EQUAL program in Greece under the overall coordination of the Athens News Agency (ANA). [24] Athens Journalists Union board votes for new presidiumAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)The Athens journalists Union (ESHEA) board voted for new presidium in its session on Thursday in the wake of recent general elections held by ESHEA.Manolis Mathioudakis was elected president, Nana Daountaki first vice president, Panayiotis Rammos second vice president, Nikos Mengrelis secretary general and Dimitris Tsalapatis cashier. An announcement by ESHEA said that with regard to filling the post of special secretary, the board has decided to have him elected in due course after his duties are clarified. [25] Former monarch Constantine arrives in GreeceAthens 11/07/03 (ANA)Greece's former monarch Constantine arrived in Igoumenitsa on Thursday aboard a ferry that had departed from the Italian port of Ancona, accompanied by his wife and their children Philip and Theodora.Their first call after their arrival was at the home of friends in Pedini, Ioannina, after which they visited the village of Kalpaki and the 8th Brigade Museum. There next stop after Ioannina will be Preveza, where they intend to stay the night. [26] Dominick Chilcott new British envoy for CyprusNICOSIA 11/07/03 (CNA/ANA)Dominick Chilcott, Director of Mediterranean Europe under the Director General for EU policy at the Foreign and Common-wealth Office, has been appointed the country's envoy in efforts to reach a settlement to solve the Cyprus problem, succeeding Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Lord David Hannay.Chilcott, who is currently in Cyprus, met on Thursday morning with political party leaders and assured that Britain would continue efforts ''with the major partners, with the UN, with the Americans, with the European Commission, to bring about the much desired end or solution to the Cyprus problem.'' He said he was ''delighted to be here in Cyprus,'' noting that this was his ''first visit overseas in my new job.'' ''I am particularly keen to be here to underline the importance and enthusiasm that the British government continues to bring to doing everything it can to support the UN efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. I am benefiting very much from talks with politicians here on the island today and I will continue to work as indeed the Prime Minister underlined in the House of Commons,'' he said. Chilcott assured ''we will continue with the major partners, with the UN, with the Americans with the European Commission to bring about the much desired end or solution to the Cyprus problem.'' Asked about his meetings in Cyprus, Chilcott said he had ''a series of meetings with as many different parts of the spectrum of the political opinion on the island,'' noting that ''this is only the first of what I hope will be a number of meetings so, yes, there will be intensive meetings and I hope that they will be fruitful and productive.'' Invited to say if one should expect a new British initiative on Cyprus, Chilcott said ''no, this is not an initiative, it is the continuation of our policy of support, essentially the efforts of the UN to bring about a solution and to lead the talks.'' ''And as we know, the position from the UN Secretary General's report is that he is waiting for the signs that the political will exists on both parts to resume the negotiations. Meanwhile, the UK will, by my position and by other activities that we are doing, underline our support for that position and to do what we can to encourage those conditions to exist whereby the talks can resume,'' he added. Asked if he would be visiting Athens and Ankara, Chilcott said ''eventually, yes.'' [27] Cyprus president to meet US envoy, spokesman saysNICOSIA 11/07/03 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos will meet in the US with State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, the island's government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told the press here on Thursday.President Papadopoulos is currently in the US where he is undergoing medical examinations. He is expected to return to Cyprus on Sunday. Invited to comment on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that if he was invited by the UN Secretary General to meet in order to discuss the Cyprus issue, then he would respond but would not sign the Annan peace plan, Chrysostomides said this shows that Denktash has not changed his policy. As to Denktash's statement that UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto is not regarded ''credible'' by the Turkish side, the spokesman said that ''any foreign interlocutor or mediator who is trying to persuade him (Denktash) that he cannot insist on the recognition of the occupation and the regime is Mr. Denktash's enemy, and that is why Mr. De Soto is being attacked.'' Chrysostomides said ''this merely confirms Denktash's intention to give the impression that on the one hand he is ready for meetings and talks but on the other he reiterates that neither the Annan Plan is acceptable as a basis for a solution or negotiation, nor he desires to escape from his fanatic direction of full division of Cyprus.'' Invited to comment on a statement made by President Papadopoulos in an interview with Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand that accession to EU without prior solution to the Cyprus problem would bring us closer to division, Chrysostomides said ''it is a danger if Mr. Denktash continues his policy.'' Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory. [28] Blair urges parties in Cyprus to return to negotiating tableLONDON 11/07/03 (CNA/ANA)British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday expressed hope that the parties in Cyprus will return to the negotiating table with a view to reaching a settlement to the Cyprus question.Blair, who was replying to a question by MP Tom Cox in the House of Commons, also said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ''recently made it clear that the UN proposals that we strongly supported, remain on the table.'' ''There is a strong feeling among the Turkish Cypriots that they want to be part of the EU and to have the benefits of membership,'' Blair noted, adding ''we will continue our discussions with both the Greek and the Turkish governments to see how we can bring about a settlement.'' ''I therefore very much hope that we are able to mount a constructive attempt to get the parties back talking to ensure that we can reach a settlement on this issue which would be beneficial for all the people on the island of Cyprus,'' he added. [29] House Committee optimistic Cyprus to join EMU by 2006NICOSIA 11/07/03 (CNA/ANA)The Republic of Cyprus will comply with the Maastricht economic criteria for accession to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) by 2006, members of the House Finance Committee said here Thursday during a meeting with a delegation of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament.Committee Chairman Aristos Chrysostomou said the main policy challenges for Cyprus are to reduce the fiscal deficit and national debt and thus ''bring Cyprus closer to the Maastricht criteria and strengthening its ambition to enter the EMU, at least two years after the full accession in the EU,'' scheduled for May 1, 2004. However, MP's of the European delegation stressed that it would be wiser for Cyprus to wait until 2008 or 2009 for accession to the Eurozone. Referring to the Cyprus issue, Chrysostomou said an agreement on reunification would have very positive and beneficial effects for the whole of Cyprus despite likely short term fiscal and other costs. On her part, Chairwoman of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament Christa Randzio Plath welcomed Cyprus' policy to reduce the economy's dependency on tourism by developing other services and sectors. [30] Women from both sides of the divide join handsNICOSIA 11/07/03 (CNA/ANA)Women from the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities met on Wednesday night in Nicosia, the world's last divided capital, in a display of solidarity that marked the first joint protest by women from both sides of the divide.''Now is a time to work in a common organization for a common country, and our struggles should be common for reunification,'' said Sevgul Uludag, secretary general of ''Hands Across the Divide'', a bicommunal women's group founded in March 2001. The group protested against the demand on Greek Cypriots to show their passports to enter the part of Cyprus under Turkish military occupation since 1974.They also protested against the ''Cinderella-like'' time restrictions, also placed by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, forcing Turkish Cypriots to leave by midnight the part of Cyprus under government control. The group's treasurer Nana Achilleas said ''we (Greek Cypriots) do not need passports to move in our own country, and Turkish Cypriots have the right to stay as long as they want at places in their own country.'' She added that the response from people who had crossed the divide had been ''very positive'' and said there was ''strong support for our cause.'' Noting this was the first joint protest by women on the island, Ulundag said ''this day is historical. Until now we always had parallel action for peace, but this is the first time we are standing together in a joint organization.'' She explained that to avoid obstacles in forming bicommunal NGO's, the group is registered in London, while its statutes are based not on ethnicity but on membership designations such as free areas, occupied areas, and members abroad. She went on to characterize the group as ''a futuristic organization beyond borders'' because of the way that has made use of internet technology. Members of both communities had been able to voice their opinions via electronic voting even before the easing of travel restrictions allowed them to meet and exchange views in person. H 11/07/2003 , 17N, . T : A (): : A . . A (): . . AAN: A. . AA: 6 . - . A: . . A A. AAN: N 2004. ... , . A: . A, , . N. , . , A. . AN: , , . ... . N: . : - 17 . A: . . : '' ... ; ;'' : - . . : : . : . A: ... . N , . 75.000 . A: 1926-2000: 17 . . Espresso: . A. AN: A . . : -N. . A NA: . A . N: . -. A: '' 2003-2005'': A . Traffic News: : 4 . A 14 . MEGA . A: : . A 12. A: A 6% ! . AN: . '''' . - N '' . 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