Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM presents plan for 2004-2008 term in 'Ethnos' interview

[02] Turkey's Gul stresses need for lasting Cyprus solution during US trip

[03] Alternate FM begins two-day visit to Irakleio

[04] Peres, Kaddoumi cross swords at IUSY festival debate

[05] ATHOC delegation outlines Athens Olympic Games preparations

[06] New group claims failed July 11 bomb attack on Alico insurance company

[07] Fire on Salamina island under control

[08] Czech national held in connection with diver's death

[09] Speedboat with five Austrians adrift in inclement weather, passengers rescued

[10] Two FYROM nationals arrested in drug bust

[11] Family of Britons arrested for assaulting Plaka shopkeeper

[12] Alleged human trafficking-extortion ring busted in Attica

[13] Man arrested for antiquities smuggling in Pella

[14] Foreign Minister confers with Iranian President

[15] French Minister to visit Cyprus

[01] PM presents plan for 2004-2008 term in 'Ethnos' interview

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

Among his primary objectives until 2008, Simitis listed improving Greece's position in the modern world, achieving real convergence and a resolution of major foreign policy issues, such as the Cyprus problem, the dispute over the Aegean continental shelf and negotiations with the European Union.

A key point in the interview, meanwhile, was his pledge for a redistribution of incomes fuelled by continued high growth rates.

The premier said that there would be commitments to specific initiatives to reduce inequalities, poverty and social exclusion in a ''Charter for Real Convergence'' that he intended to present during the annual economic speech given by Greek prime ministers at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

He stressed, however, that ''income distribution without growth is not an option'' and said that the government's top priority will be to maintain present high growth rates that will allow a redistribution of incomes in favor of the weaker social groups.

Achieving real convergence, which effectively amounted to increasing growth rates, will be the crucial wager in the coming four years, Simitis said in the interview.

He claimed that this could only be done effectively by PASOK and not the ''automatic pilot'' of main opposition New Democracy, with its neoliberal beliefs and action.

He also expressed surprise that ND had refused to participate in dialogue on reforming electoral law but stressed that the government would press ahead, ''ignoring petty party-political games and motives'', to which he also attributed the main opposition's repeated calls for early elections.

Commenting on his decision to change his party's Central Committee Secretary, replacing Costas Laliotis with Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Simitis said that PASOK was the country's ''central political force that synthesized personal ambitions and the need for social cohesion into policy'' and had to preserve this balance in order to remain an effective, progressive party.

He said PASOK organizations will open up to people that want to contribute and wished to battle for growth and justice, and that new names would appear on PASOK tickets come election time.

Asked about his recent initiatives for the political system and transparency, Simitis underlined that the Greek political system had to adapt to the new European environment and become more open to participation, new faces, and new ideas and reinforce transparency and social responsibility.

The Greek premier also expressed concern about the fears of new EU member-states on security issues and the threat from the East. He said these fears concerned bold but necessary moves in Europe's evolution that supposedly threatened established rights that defined the traditional nation state, as well as fears about whether there were sufficient funds to finance policies for convergence and those addressing long-term deficits in effective policy within the Community.

''There are, however, answers to all these questions within the Union,'' Simitis noted.

All major enterprises within the EU had at first met with reactions, failures to reach agreement and pessimistic predictions but with effort and perseverance they had come to pass and justified the goals that had been set,'' he concluded.

ND spokesman accuses PM of not carrying out promises:

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, commenting on Sunday on an interview by Prime Minister Costas Simitis with the newspaper ''Ethnos on Sunday'', said the prime minister "does not forget what he promises, he merely never carries it out".

''If the newspaper did not have today's date, one would think that he was reading an interview by Mr. Simitis given in 1996,'' Roussopoulos said.

Referring to the same interview, ND Central Committee secretary Evangelos Meimarakis said ''the responsibilities of Mr. Simitis for the present situation in the country are very great'' and posed the question ''being prime minister for eight years, he discovered daily problems today and is promising to resolve them? He convinces no one now. It is too late for both himself and his government.''

[02] Turkey's Gul stresses need for lasting Cyprus solution during US trip

WASHINGTON 28/7/2003 (ANA - A. Ellis)

In a speech at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Gul said he had discussed the Cyprus issue with US Secretary of State Colin Powell but not White House security advisor Condoleeza Rice.

He called for a solution that would be respected by both sides on the island and the implementation of confidence-building mea-sures for Cyprus.

According to Gul, he had not discussed relations between Greece and Turkey during his talks in Washington but noted that he met frequently with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and that there had been progress in relations between the two countries.

[03] Alternate FM begins two-day visit to Irakleio

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

On arrival at Irakleio airport, Yiannitsis referred to the purpose of his visit which has a triple character.

''To have a close look and listen to problems facing people, to explain our policy and see what vision we can create together with the citizens and shape a policy for the future,'' he said.

[04] Peres, Kaddoumi cross swords at IUSY festival debate

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

Following a heated debate between Israeli and Palestinian dele-gates, the ensuing Peres-Kaddoumi exchange took place in an electrified atmosphere.

Promising delegates that he would speak ''the language of truth and only the truth'', Kaddoumi said that ''peace cannot be built on a void''.

''Peace means progress and development in society and the economy,'' Kaddoumi said, and accused Israel of reneging on its promises despite the concessions by the Palestinians.

''It is true that there is a peace process, for an independent Palestinian state. Peace was for us an invaluable commodity, and that is why we agreed to leave our own lands. But Israel went back on many of its promises. It carried out attacks on unarmed civilians. They wanted to force the Palestinians to leave all that remained of their homes and properties,'' Kaddoumi said, adding: ''Today, three years after Sharon's campaign on Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation continues. While we accepted the roadmap without reservations, Israel puts up stumbling blocks. Five-hundred thousand Palestinians must simply remain in outdoor prisons without water and hope. Even the institutions of the Palestinian Authority that Mr. Peres himself allowed to open in Jerusalem, Sharon shut them down. Our president, Yasser Arafat, continues to be under restriction. We are cut off. We live in poverty. They think that they can fool us.''

Kaddoumi said that only with justice and respect of the Palestinians' rights could there be a political resolution. ''Then, through stability in Palestine, the road will also open for peace in the Middle East''.

Responding to Kaddoumi's statements, Peres, a former prime minister, said: ''Mr. Kaddoumi, despite all that you have said, very soon you will see peace between us and Palestinians; you will see the Palestinian State, the free Iraq, Israel and Jordan in a joint economy for the good of their peoples''.

Peres outlined in detail the history of the dispute from 1949 to the present, and referred to the peace agreements Israel signed with Egypt and Jordan. ''We gave all the land, the water and the oil to Egypt, without my being certain that we received full peace on its part. We gave to Jordan all the land and the water. We did what no Arab state has done: We agreed that Gaza and the West Bank be given to the Palestinians, we gave them weapons for the security of their people, 5 billion dollars for their economy. We could have had peace''.

''I gave 6 cities and 460 villages to the Palestinians -- and the terrorism started immediately the day after my decision. If it were not for that wave of terrorism, Mr. Kaddoumi, today there would have been a Palestinian state,'' Peres continued.

Peres did, however, describe the Palestinian society as ''the second closest to democracy society in the Middle East'', and praised Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas as being a ''very serious person who wants peace for the sake of Palestine and for the sake of peace''.

''He is a very serious person, the second such interlocutor I have known after Anwar Sadat,'' Peres said.

Following Peres' address, Kaddoumi called out to the delegates that ''you have heard big lies''.

''They are telling you lies. They are killing us daily. I challenge him to say the truth - about the dead,'' Kaddoumi said, prompting IUSY vice-president and discussion chairperson Anna Lorenzo to ask him to stop and to respect the next speaker.

Greece's prime minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis will visit the IUSY festival on Monday afternoon, to take part in a discussion on ''Socialism Today'' along with former Spanish premier Philippe Gonzalez, Socialist International's General Secretary Luis Ayala, Italy's Democrats of the Left National Secretary Pierro Fasino and French parliament deputy Martine Aubry.

Later in the day Simitis will meet with the IUSY presidium before returning to Athens.

Socialist International youth festival focuses on democracy:

The rift between developed and third world countries, the migration of people and capital and other problems resulting from the opening of markets were examined on Saturday during the main event on democracy held at Kamena Vourla as part of the Socialist International's youth festival.

South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zouma referred to the dramatic situation continuing to characterize the third world, Africa in particular, and criticized ''trends for the building of fortresses'' being expressed.

''Africa must become the continent of hope. The youth of the world with its solidarity enabled us to be where we are today and I to be speaking to you in the capacity of minister,'' she said.

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said objections by the third world on the competitiveness of its products are not groundless.

He added that the issue must be handled on a global basis by a strong United Nations Organization with the strengthening of regional cooperation, a decrease in the subsidization of products and an increase in economic backing in developing countries.

[05] ATHOC delegation outlines Athens Olympic Games preparations

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The 10th World Swimming Championships are taking place in this Spanish city and the press conference was attended by over 100 reporters who arrived in Barcelona for the event.

Kapralos referred at length to issues directly concerning the four Olympic Games events in this sector (swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving), as well as to the tickets and games programs.

Earlier, Kapralos and members of the delegation held meetings on the sidelines of the events with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch and IOC Press Committee President Kevin Gosper.

[06] New group claims failed July 11 bomb attack on Alico insurance company

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The group claimed responsibility for the intended attack on July 11 on the ALICO offices on Michalakopoulou street in a five-page proclamation printed on a PC sent Friday night to Eleftherotypia daily newspaper.

The bomb had been found and neutralized by a police bomb squad unit after an anonymous caller phoned Alter private TV station and warned of the imminent explosion.

The proclamation, the first page which bore a red star similar to that used by the 'November 17' terrorist group, did not address any direct threats against any individual, but presented a detailed analysis of the social situation in Greece and made no mention of the on-going trial of 19 suspected '17N' members.

The proclamation does, however, criticize former public order minister and current PASOK secretary Michalis Chrysohoidis, chief of police Fotis Nasiakos, and the chairman of the court trying the 17N alleged members at Korydallos prison, and speaks of the ''collapse of democracy'' and of the ''fascism of the Greek society'', while also referring to the ''fallen former fighters of the Left'' and the modernizers who rendered Greece a country subjugated to the Americans.

In four postscripts, the proclamation describes in detail the explosive device found at ALICO; addresses indirect threats to the telephone operators of the mass media organizations, which it accuses of, having been ''tutored'' by the counter-terrorism squad, of trying to gain time when warning calls are made in order to give more information to the police; refers to the 'upgrading' of Chrysohoidis, whom it refers to as a ''stool pigeon of the Americans'', and the removal of Laliotis from the post of PASOK secretary; and, stresses that there will be no 'hits' throughout the duration of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 so that the organization will not give cause for provocation.

The proclamation was turned over to the counter-terrorism squad, which was examining it.

[07] Fire on Salamina island under control

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The fire broke out at two different locations and the fire brigade is examining the possibility of arson. Fanned by strong winds it spread quickly and firemen made great efforts to ultimately place it under control.

According to initial assessments, about 80 acres of pine forests and scrubland were ravaged by the fire, which was also tackled by 10 firefighting aircraft and 10 helicopters.

[08] Czech national held in connection with diver's death

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The man is currently being held at the Central Coast Guard headquarters in Kavala so that he had appear before a public prosecutor.

Authorities believe the man was responsible for the diver's death, though he has denied any connection with the tragic accident.

Sioutis' body was found on the bottom of the sea bed by another diver after he disappeared while spear-fishing near Limenaria.

Local residents reported seeing the Czech national violate the 200m safety distance for bathers in the area at around the time Sioutis disappeared.

According to the coroner, Sioutis' body bore large wounds on the back and his head inflicted by a speedboat propeller and probably died instantly.

[09] Speedboat with five Austrians adrift in inclement weather, passengers rescued

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The five Austrians set off on the rented speedboat at 4:00 Friday afternoon from Arkious for Patmos, but lost their sense of direction in inclement weather in the area shortly after nightfall, and the vessel was running adrift after it ran out of fuel. The passengers called for assistance on their mobile phones, and the Coast Guard immediately launched a search and rescue operation, aided by nearby vessels.

The distressed speedboat was spotted several hours later some 6 nautical miles off Samiopoula islet, and a Coast Guard vessel towed it safely to Pythagorio port on Samos island.

The five Austrians were all well in health.

[10] Two FYROM nationals arrested in drug bust

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

In an operation that also involved police forces in Drama, Serres and Kilkis, authorities staged an undercover operation that led to the arrest of Milorad Simik, 33, and Giorgie Dinev, 46.

The two men were caught when they turned up to a pre-arranged appointment with two undercover policemen and sold them 4,750 grammes of cannabis for 2,500 euros.

Under interrogation, they said they had smuggled the drugs into Greece from Bulgaria and named other members of the ring that are now being sought.

The drugs and a car used by the two men were confiscated and they were led before a public prosecutor.

[11] Family of Britons arrested for assaulting Plaka shopkeeper

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

Andrew Glover, 44, his wife Vera Johnson-Staermus, 45, and their sons Frederick, 19, and Christian, 24, are accused of attacking souvenir shop owner Dimitris Karamihalos, 49, at his premises on Andrianou Street just after midnight on Sunday when he accused them of making a mess in his shop by eating souvlakia.

In the scuffle that ensued, Karamihalos was severely beaten and his leg was broken.

He said the four tourists were probably drunk and had entered his shop eating souvlakia, had strewn bits of food and paper on the floor and had wiped themselves with napkins that he had on sale. When he complained and asked them to clear up the mess, they assaulted him.

Karamihalos was taken bleeding to Evangelismos hospital, where he was immediately taken in for surgery, and the four Britons were arrested soon afterward by police.

[12] Alleged human trafficking-extortion ring busted in Attica

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

They said the ring would keep illegal immigrants captive and negotiate their release in exchange for large sums of money.

Three Iraqis have been taken into custody and another is being sought, while two knives, three fake driving licenses, a passport, money and other times were confiscated during the arrests.

Authorities were led to the ring through tip-offs that an organized band was illegally detaining illegal immigrants in abandoned houses at Agioi Anargyri, extorting large sums of money from them for their release.

The first of the alleged people-traffickers was apprehended in Omonia Square while he was negotiating the release of a woman for 2,000 euros.

Police then discovered 28 Iranian illegal immigrants, among them six women and six children, locked into an abandoned house and arrested two men who were guarding them.

According to statements taken during the preliminary interrogation, the ring received large groups of immigrants from Turkey every week, locked them into the house, abused them and demanded 3,000 euros for each person in order to let them go.

The suspected traffickers have been led before a public prosecutor, while procedures have been initiated to deport the illegal immigrants.

[13] Man arrested for antiquities smuggling in Pella

Athens 28/7/2003(ANA)

The man, identified only as N.A., was said by police to be systematically involved in illegal digging, and the clandestine purchase and sale of ancient artifacts both in Greece and abroad.

After a search of his home in Apsalos, a warehouse in a vineyard in nearby Nea Zoi village and an old inactive railroad station building he rented in Apsalos, police found and confiscated 1,260 silver and copper coins, 747 ancient artifacts, 657 fossils, 37 stone tools, 35 rings, 2 steles, several other artifacts, and a metal detector.

According to archaeologists who studied the finds, the artifacts date from the Neolithic era to the period when Greece was under Ottoman rule.

The man was due to be taken before the Edessa public prosecutor, while the artifacts were turned over to the Pella Archaeological Museum.

[14] Foreign Minister confers with Iranian President

NICOSIA 28/7/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The assurances were given at Sunday's hour-long meeting in Teheran, during which bilateral relations, the Middle East question, Iran-EU ties and other related issues were at the core of discussions.

On Sunday Minister Iakovou attended a working lunch hosted by his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi. He returns to the island early Monday morning.

President Khatami has extended an invitation to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to visit Iran.

The president also said his country's position towards the Republic of Cyprus and the UN-led effort to find a solution would not be altered.

Speaking from Teheran, Iakovou told CNA that President Khatami congratulated Cyprus on its accession to the EU which he described ''a big success'' and noted that Cyprus' geographic location renders the country more sensitive to regional problems.

''The President said he would continue to help us as best as he can in the framework of the Islamic Conference,'' Iakovou said.

Replying to questions, he said he communicated to President Khatami the EU positions on Iran's nuclear arsenal. Teheran, the minister said, explained that it does not possess nuclear weapons and the president explained why Teheran has not signed the Additional Protocol to the Non Proliferation Treaty.

''I did not convey any messages to Iran, I merely outlined the EU position on the issue concerning nuclear weapons,'' he said, adding that he would brief Brussels on his contacts in Iran.

The minister said he also talked about the Dialogue of Civilizations to promote religious tolerance and discussed the situation in the Middle East. Khatami recognizes the knowledge and sensitivity Cyprus has in this regard, the minister said.

On Saturday, Iakovou had a two-hour long meeting with his counterpart Kharrazi.

[15] French Minister to visit Cyprus

NICOSIA 28/7/2003 (CNA/ANA)

On Monday she will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos and have meetings with Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou and House President Demetris Christofias. She leaves on Tuesday.

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