Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-09-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek and Turkish FMs agree Cyprus issue must be solved by December 2004

[02] Cabinet gives green light to agriculture ministry plan for forests

[03] Balkan FMs discuss post-Thessaloniki developments in NY panel discussion

[04] Hungarian President Madl tours N. Greece

[05] Eurodeputy says European Convention draft constitution has serious weaknesses

[06] EU constitution should refer to out-of-court settlements, EU ombudsman says

[07] ND briefs prefecture union on its plans for local government

[08] Senior PASOK party officials to attend event in Nicosia on Social Democracy

[09] Turkish president calls for furthering Greek-Turkish rapprochement process

[10] Christodoulos asks for meeting to settle dispute with Fanar

[11] Change of Command at Forward NATO Base in Chania, Crete

[12] Greek govt discusses pricing policy with super markets

[13] Greek tourism to recover in 2004

[14] Tsohatzopoulos to meet with Chinese technology minister on Friday

[15] Evert meets with central bank governor Garganas

[16] National Bank announces deal to buy Banca Romaneasca

[17] Work stoppages at OA next Friday

[18] Eurostat reports decrease in wine grape production in Greece

[19] Greek stocks end lower on Thursday

[20] ATHOC president outlines progress in Athens Olympic Games preparations

[21] ISSF president lauds ATHOC work ahead of Athens 2004 Games

[22] Gov't keeps Olympics budget goal but allows for special spending

[23] Extradition request for Gusinskyi forests to be decided on Mon.

[24] Alternate FM takes part in UN humanitarian network meeting

[25] Andreas Papandreou Foundation backs dialogue on new European realities

[26] Thursday's proceedings at 'N17' trial begin with delay

[27] Businessman shot and wounded outside Athens home

[28] 188 scientists present ways to preserve historic cities

[29] Peace rally in central Athens in support of Palestinian people

[30] 'Century of Modernism' the focus of HAU seminars as of Nov.

[31] Iacovou asks FMs to work for ICO resolution to reflect real situation

[01] Greek and Turkish FMs agree Cyprus issue must be solved by December 2004

NEW YORK, 26/09/2003 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Papandreou and Gul held talks on the sidelines of the 58th UN General Assembly focusing also on issues to be discussed in Athens during the Turkish foreign minister's official visit on October 21.

In statements after their meeting, the two ministers said they agreed on the need for strengthening Confidence-Building Measures, as discussions have been shaped both within the framework of the NATO alliance and between the political directors of the two countries' foreign ministries.

Replying to questions by the press, Papandreou said what is desired is to see how agreements made to date have progressed and how others can be achieved.

Apart from the framework of Greek-Turkish relations, they discussed the Cyprus issue and Turkey's European prospects in relation to the evaluation of the report at the Council of Ministers, due to be tabled in early November.

Other issues also examined were regional issues, such as Iraq and the situation in the Middle East.

Yet another issue probed by the two ministers was finding ways of cooperation on the issues of security, culture and tourism in light of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Papandreou stressed the importance of the prospect of a decrease in the two countries' armaments to enable large amounts of money to be spent on development and social programs and hailed as an ''important event'' the signing of the Ottawa agreement by Greece and Turkey, on the removal of mines on the border of the two countries, and by Canada, as an overseer for the agreement's implementation.''

The transfer of the Olympic Flame to Turkey and the promotion of the Olympic ideal, through the holding of various cultural events, was also discussed and agreed.

The Greek foreign minister said a review was made of the continuing 14 exploratory talks ''with the purpose of defining the continental shelf in the Aegean.''

Replying to a questioner on the Cyprus issue and on whether his government accepts the Annan plan as a basis for negotiations, Gul replied affirmatively on condition, however, amendments are made which are acceptable by both sides to enable dialogue to go ahead.

Gul also said he agreed with all that his Greek counterpart had stated beforehand.

Gul meets Powell: Meanwhile, Gul met Wednesday with US secretary of state Colin Powell at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, where Powell will be staying throughout the week for contacts on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

According to US sources, Powell and Gul's discussion included the Cyprus issue and the situation in Iraq.

On the Cyprus issue, the two men ''agreed that the 'elections' in the (Turkish-occupied) northern sector of the island are an important development'' and both endorsed a resumption of talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides based on UN secretary general Kofi Annan's plan, the sources said.

Papandreou is not scheduled to meet privately with Powell on the General Assembly sidelines, given that the two men met just last week in Washington for talks, but he will attend Friday's meeting between the EU foreign ministers and Powell.

Papandreou, who arrived in New York on Wednesday evening, was commencing his round of contacts with meetings with his Balkan counterparts.

The Greek foreign minister was slated to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and meet for talks with Annan, while in the evening he would attend a special event at the UN on the Olympic Truce

[02] Cabinet gives green light to agriculture ministry plan for forests

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

During the meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed that existing legislation on forests had to be adapted to the dictates of the Constitution.

''There must be an end to arbitrary actions due to the various interpretations given to the laws at various times. The current legislation does not reflect reality nor does it protect forests,'' Simitis said.

The prime minister asked that rules be set up that would establish order and limit instances of illegal construction.

Simitis also referred to the prevailing political climate and complaints that the government was making pre-election handouts, stressing that this was not the case.

''Not every measure is a handout. Because we are facing long-term problems, we are being accused of pre-electoral motives...we are doing our job and implementing our program. We cannot stop our work because there will be elections in seven or eight months,'' he said.

At the start of the meeting, the premier also referred to the results of opinion polls and said the government would not face any problems at election time if it continued to work intensively and kept to the deadlines it had set.

Regarding the recent waves of strikes by various groups, such as university teachers, Simitis noted that real wages had increased and were now higher than the EU average.

''We cannot accept demands by workers when these do not bear any relation to the economic realities of the country,'' the premier underlined.

While the cabinet meeting was underway, meanwhile, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology was holding a working meeting of its own to discuss the government's plans to legalize unauthorized buildings and declassify expanses of forest and how they could be stopped.

''The cabinet is making plans to sell off public land and we, in this room, are making plans to fight in order to defend the public interest,'' Coalition leader Nikos Constantopoulos told reporters.

He claimed the government measures were bowing to pre-electoral needs, as well as a ''flagrant and outright'' violation of the Constitution.

Opposition to the bill was also voiced by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Thursday, whose general secretary Aleka Papariga described it as the ''crime of the century'' and said it would lead to rampant development.

''The next generation will literally lack earth and water,'' she predicted.

Agriculture minister on draft bill: Fielding reporters' questions after the cabinet meeting, Drys said the new bill would in no way legalize the destruction of forests or real estate development on fire-razed woodland, nor compromise the current protected status of forests.

He said the new legislation would provide a solution to problems concerning agricultural land that had reverted to forest and that of forests occupied and exploited by third parties, who would be called to pay a symbolic fine.

Drys said there would be provision for the high fines imposed on those who had illegally erected buildings within forests, possibly with favorable terms or by handing the building over to the forestry service within six months.

He also announced plans to redraw the forestry register and complete a map of forested land and noted that real-estate development associations would be given one last chance to trade lands that they legally owned but could not develop with other public lands where building was allowed.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Fotis Hatzimihalis stressed, meanwhile, that there would be no measures for lands shown to have been forest whose use was illegally changed before 1975.

[03] Balkan FMs discuss post-Thessaloniki developments in NY panel discussion

NEW YORK, 26/09/2003 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)

The discussion, attended by Yiannitsis, Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel, Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Goran Svilanovic, Bosnia-Herzegovina foreign minister Mladen Ivanic, and Albanian former FM Mohamed Kaplani, was held at Columbia University in New York, organized by the university's School of International and Public Affairs together with the Eastern European Center’s Harriman Institute. The foreign ministers of Albania and FYROM were not in attendance at the discussion.

Titled ''After Thessaloniki: New directions for SE Europe'', the discussion focused on the political developments that followed the European Union summit and the concurrent EU-SE Europe (Western Balkans) summit in Thessaloniki last June.

Kaplani said that the EU summit in Thessaloniki, which marked the end of Greece's six-month EU presidency, had been a "juncture" for the effort for full accession of the Wester Balkan countries into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures (EU and NATO).

Svilanovic praised the Thessaloniki summit as having been a "major success' for the future accession of the Western Balkan countries into the EU, adding that those countries, "although financially weak, expressed their genuine interest in becoming members of the European family".

Ivanic and Rupel also pointed out that the Thessaloniki summit had issued a positive message, dispute the "state of confusion" in the Eu due to the imminent accession of 10 new member states at the time and the "challenges faced by the existing member states at international level chiefly due to the war in Iraq".

Yiannitsis, in turn, explained that the goal of the summit had been to extend an "absolutely clearcut message" regarding the Balkan countries' European prospect, stressing the importance of EU integration via the accession of new member countries, and cited the examples of candidates Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as Croatia, which was expected to apply for membership in February.

"The Western Balkan countries were among the immediate priorities of our political agenda throughout the Greek (EU) presidency," he said, explaining, however, that: "These countries need to work hard, since success within the EU is not a given fact. But the fact that the economic reforms of recent years have been deemed as particularly successful for the course of the existing member-states comprises a strong incentive for the acceding countries".

On the issue of border controls, which he noted was of immense interest to Greece, Yiannitsis explained that saw this matter "primarily in the framework of management of the inflow of illegal immigrants".

"The European Union needs the immigrants," he said, but added that the EU "must, in turn, advance policies that will incorporate them into the European society, otherwise problems will arise, such as the spectacular rise of the ultra-right party in the latest elections in France due to the deficient incorporation of second and third generation immigrants".

Yiannitsis further noted the joint commitment of the Balkan states for the creation of a new society, and their desire for the assumption of a European role, noting that "in the framework of globalization, it is the duty of societies to be open to the exchange of new ideas and the introduction of new policy directions".

He cited the Cyprus issue as an example, noting the EU's relative request that the problem between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides be overcome in the framework of a uniform European prospect for the island republic.

[04] Hungarian President Madl tours N. Greece

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

The Hungarian president was accompanied by 33 business-people from his country, with the intent on forging better cooperation by the two sides in terms of the western Balkans region.

[05] Eurodeputy says European Convention draft constitution has serious weaknesses

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

Tsatsos said the institution of European Council president does not leave unharmed the balance between institutional organs, or the operation of the European Commission or the equality of countries.

The Eurodeputy added that it is an institution with a democratic deficit, while the corresponding abolition of the rotating presidency harms the equality of countries.

Tsatsos went on to say the commission's composition with 25 commissioners distinguished as ''full'' and ''imperfect'' constitutes the birth of a monster.

''The effort to buy off a 'yes' in the introduction of the European Council president institution is obvious here by offering even an imperfect commissioner,'' he said.

Tsatsos noted that even on the issue of foreign and security policy there was a weakness in substantive steps, which would allow the European Union to restore its political credibility on the international scene.

[06] EU constitution should refer to out-of-court settlements, EU ombudsman says

BRUSSELS, 26/09/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

Diamantouros said there should be a summary of a clear and coherent system for out-of-court settlements, in addition to judicial mechanisms for protecting rights according to European law,

noting that the former methods had the advantage of being free, more flexible and less time-consuming than going through the courts.

He was speaking in Strasbourg, during a public debate at the European Parliament on the activities undertaken by the European Ombudsman to assist the public in defending their rights.

During the debate, he noted that the European Ombudsman should be proactive, in addition to responding to the complaints it received, so as put European citizens in a stronger position and expand the range of choices available to them to protect their rights.

[07] ND briefs prefecture union on its plans for local government

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

Karamanlis is to present his party's program on public administration in general next Monday.

The ND leader stressed that prefectural authorities required specialized staff, means and funds to effectively carry out their many responsibilities, which they were unable to do at this time.

He stressed that stronger local government was an element in the main opposition's plan for the transition to a more capable state.

[08] Senior PASOK party officials to attend event in Nicosia on Social Democracy

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

The PASOK members will make recommendations at the event, entitled ''Social Democracy in Cyprus and Europe in the 21st Century'', which will be held in the Cypriot capital on October 4.

The event is dedicated to the memory of slain Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh.

[09] Turkish president calls for furthering Greek-Turkish rapprochement process

ANKARA, 26/09/2003 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

In a speech he delivered in Ismir at the university there he stressed that ''the rapprochement process is, for both countries, a significant opportunity that should not be lost'', while he also noted the ''significance of the cooperation between the Greek and Turkish universities, in the process of rapprochement''.

[10] Christodoulos asks for meeting to settle dispute with Fanar

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

In the letter dated September 19 and received at the Patriarchate's Fanar district seat in Istanbul on Wednesday, Christodoulos refers to the history of the dispute and asks to meet -- without the intervention of third parties -- with Vartholomeos regarding the issue of ecclesiastical administration in the so-called 'New Lands' - comprised of the bishoprics of northern Greece, as well as the northern and eastern Aegean.

The administration of dioceses in those areas was awarded to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece by the Patriarchate in 1928. Northern Greece and the eastern Aegean islands became Greek territory after 1912-13.

Christodoulos, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, notes that it is unseemly for the problems between the Churches to become an item in the news, before asking Vartholomeos to set a date and place for their meeting, which might well take place within October.

The dispute more-or-less erupted onto the limelight after the death of long-time Thessaloniki Metropolitan Panteleimon II over the summer, with the Patriarchate subsequently demanding a list of potential candidates that the Church of Greece was considering to fill the vacant spot.

[11] Change of Command at Forward NATO Base in Chania, Crete

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

Dutch Rear-Admiral Philip Wirth handed over the command of the force to German Vice-Admiral Hans Jochen Withauer.

Present at the ceremony were Greek Commander of the Fleet Lieutenant-Admiral Thomas Katopodis, Italian Commander of Southern Europe Allied Forces Lieutenant-Admiral Ferdinando Sanfeilice di Monteforte, while honored guest was German Defense Undersecretary Kiaus Gunther Biederbick.

In accordance with the protocol, the national anthems of the countries belonging to the force were heard.

Anchored throughout the duration of the ceremony at Marathi, were the Greek frigate ''Psara'' as well as war ships from The Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Great Britain, Italy as well as the American destroyer ''USS STOUT''.

The mission of the NATO force is to obstruct and confront terrorist actions.

[12] Greek govt discusses pricing policy with super markets

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

Representatives from the country's largest super market chains met with Development Deputy Minister Kimon Koulouris on Thursday to discuss pricing policy for the remaining of the year ahead of a meeting between Mr Koulouris and representatives of multinational groups on Monday to discuss their pricing policy.

The Greek minister stressed that he wanted to ensure low prices for the Christmas table and generally more affordable prices to lower incomes in the country and noted that he has began a dialogue with Greek industries on the issue.

Carrefour's managing director, Mr Didier Fleury, stressed that prices have either doubled or tripled in certain products because of increased prices imposed by manufacturers, both multinational and domestic.

He acknowledged that several products (soft drinks, milk, detergents) were sold 30-40 percent higher in Greece compared with the rest of the European Union and rejected rumors of massive price increases before the company announced a "price freeze" policy for the next four months.

[13] Greek tourism to recover in 2004

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

In a statement released on the occasion of celebrating the World Tourism Day in September 27, Mr. Patellis stressed that the tourism sector employs directly 300,000 people and another 200,000 indirectly. He predicted that the industry could create another 200,000 jobs by 2010.

Mr. Patellis underlined that GNTO has drafted a special long-term program of tourist development, based on the adoption of integrated regional surveys aimed to specialize the country's tourist product.

The World Tourism Day is celebrated worldwide for the last 23 years with the aim to highlight the significance of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic values.

Meanwhile, Greece's largest consumer group INKA on Thursday announced that the tourism sector ranked fourth in its list of complaints by consumers, with complaints totalling 7,104 in the first eight months of the year.

[14] Tsohatzopoulos to meet with Chinese technology minister on Friday

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

The cooperation between the two countries is based on an agreement signed in 1979 and on nine protocols signed since then on issues of common interest, such as agriculture, food technologies, renewable energy sources and technologies for energy conservation, among many.

The two ministers will also focus on cooperation concerning the Olympic Games, as Beijing will host the 2008 Games, while they will discuss ways to include China in the 6th Community Framework Program for Research.

[15] Evert meets with central bank governor Garganas

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the governor of the Bank of Greece, Nikos Garganas, Evert called on the government to "brief the citizens" and also take measures, "albeit delayed", to contain the deficit.

Expressing concern, Evert said that the budget had exceeded all projections, the deficit was immense and expenditure was out of control, while there was a shortfall in revenues.

[16] National Bank announces deal to buy Banca Romaneasca

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

A bank statement said that the acquisition was a significant step towards strengthening the bank's dominant role in Southeastern Europe and allowed National Bank to make a dynamic entry in the rapidly growing market of Romania.

National Bank of Greece Group already operates a securities firm, an insurance company and branch unit in Romania.

In total, National Bank operates a network of three subsidiary banks in eight countries in Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, and five subsidiaries with a total network of 200 units, employing 4,000 people and assets totalling 2.6 billion euros.

Banca Romaneasca is a medium-sized Romanian bank operating a network of 25 branch units around the country, with assets totalling 140 million euros.

National Bank of Greece aims to raise the Romanian bank's network to 40 units and to give emphasis to its retail banking services.

The agreement needs approval from the Bank of Greece and the banking supervisory authorities of Romania.

[17] Work stoppages at OA next Friday

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

The latest industrial action come in light of another bill last month aimed at restructuring the long-ailing air carrier.

[18] Eurostat reports decrease in wine grape production in Greece

BRUSSELS, 26/09/2003 (ANA/A. Simatos)

Greece was the dubious champion with a 27.5 per cent decrease, with Italy coming second (24.6 per cent) and France last with 4.8 per cent. The Eurostat report noted that the largest decrease was noted in the Greek islands with a decrease of 55 per cent, while central Greece, despite a 7.5 per cent drop it remains the largest producer of grapes for wine making.

As far as table grapes are concerned, Eurostat reported that Greece lost some 29.2 per cent of its production capacity, while France took first place with a loss of 49.2 per cent and Spain with 49 per cent.

[19] Greek stocks end lower on Thursday

Athens, 26/09/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.88 percent to end at 2,027.46 points, off the day's lows of 2,020.16 points. Turnover was a moderate 101.3 million euros.

All sector indices ended lower, with the Textile (3.90 percent), Publications (3.87 percent) and IT Solutions (3.15 percent) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day. The Telecommunications sector eased 0.68 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.94 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.17 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 2.34 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 283 to 48 with another 27 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, Public Power Corporation, National Bank of Greece and Hellenic Stock Exchanges.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 77.8 mln euros Thursday

Equity Index Futures: