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Bond Market Close: Buyers

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Day's Total Market Turnover: 3.4 bln euros

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US Dollar 1,157 1,131

[16] IOC chief dismisses concerns that elections may affect Olympic preparations

LAUSANNE 27/09/2003 (ANA - D. Kalabakas)

“Elections will not affect preparations for Olympic Games, nor will create any delay,” he said in a mini press conference with mostly Greek reporters.

Speaking a day after Athens organizers (ATHOC) briefed the IOC's executive committee here over the upcoming Games, Rogge also noted that preparations have been underway in and around Athens for seven years now, a period in which it would be impossible to not hold elections.

The specific statement by Oswald, who heads the IOC’s coordinating commission for the 2004 Games, was that a campaign and pre-election period in Greece would make “our work” more difficult in light of the Athens Games. The eyebrow-raising quip, part of an interview of Oswald published by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine” mass daily earlier this month, generated heated reaction and criticism by practically all of the east Mediterranean country's political forces.

Rogge emphasized that no repercussions were felt from elections in Australia before the holding of the 2000 Sydney Games, while adding:

“I will not condemn or criticize Denis Oswald. His interview in the German newspaper is history. I have full confidence in him,” the Belgian IOC chief stressed.

[17] Police baffled regarding motives of attack on Mazarakis

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Mazarakis was shot in the neck at 21:10 on Thursday night by two men on a motorbike armed with a 7.65-calibre handgun, who immediately sped away.

He is now recovering at the 'Red Cross' hospital, where doctors say he is out of danger, while police are hoping that his testimony to investigating officers will shed light on the case.

Shortly after the hit last night, Mazarakis said the culprits might have intended to rob him but police have more or less ruled out this possibility and believe the attack was a settling of personal or professional differences.

They are also seriously considering the possibility that the two men were hired hit men.

Investigating officers are puzzled by the fact that the single shot against Mazarakis hit him in a potentially fatal spot that only sheer luck allowed him to survive.

They are considering two alternative theories about the attack: either that the shot was intended to kill and the attackers believed they had completed their mission when they saw him fall or possibly were unable to fire a second shot; or else that they had intended to simply intimidate Mazarakis but shot too high.

The family of the victim claim that he had no major differences nor received threats from anyone, though police sources said that Mazarakis had recently come into conflict with a competitor who had issued threats against him but that the dispute was later resolved.

Mazarakis is a ship-owner with a fleet of four to five small freighters, two of which are currently under repair.

[18] Last addresses by civil suit attorneys in N17 trial

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Attorney Vassilis Heirdaris, representing a civil suit brought by the Marinopoulos Supermarket regarding a robbery in which one of its employees was brutalized, said the behavior of the defendants in the courtroom had been unacceptable and asked for their exemplary punishment.

Next to address the court was Mihalis Dimitrakopoulos regarding the bomb attack on the Pentelikon Hotel, who asked that Aggeliki Sotiropoulou be acquitted with respect to the specific act and expressed doubts as to whether she was part of the terrorist outfit.

On the alleged leader of the group, Alexandros Giotopoulos, the attorney argued that he was not the leader of the N17 in the strict sense of the word but had imposed his opinions on the other members through his ideological and theoretical superiority, acting as the moral instigator of their crimes.

The last attorney to address the court was Yiannis Yiannidis, representing civil suits for the murders of ND MP Pavlos Bakoyiannis, Turkish diplomats Deniz Bulukbasi, Cetin Giorgiu and Omer Sibahioglou and former Bank of Greece governor Mihalis Vranopoulos, as well as the attack against businessman Vardis Vardinoyiannis.

He noted that several questions about the reasons and conditions of the Bakoyiannis murder remained unanswered, 14 years after his death.

According to Yiannidis, there was an overwhelming body of evidence to Giotopoulos' guilt, including 32 references to his action by nine of his fellow defendants and 26 fingerprints on items found at the group's safe houses.

He also claimed that the group as expressed by its leader had been ''contradictory, false-speaking and hypocritical'' since it had used to the utmost every legal advantage afforded to it by the ''bourgeios state'' that it had sought to bring down for 27 years.

The court will reconvene on Monday to hear the final arguments of the lawyers for the defense.

[19] 4th World Forum on e-democracy announces a changing world of politics

Politics Online and the 4th World Forum on e-Democracy announced on Friday the results of its second world wide survey recognizing the top 25 individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics.

According to a press release issued by the organization Politics Online, ''in recent years, the Internet and burgeoning information technologies have inexorably altered our body politic, fundamentally changing the way we do democracy''.

''The 4th Annual Worldwide Forum on Electronic Democracy, Politics Online recognized the best of the best -- the innovators and pioneers who blaze the e-political trails. Politics Online asked it's 30,000 readers and subscribers to name the people, organizations and companies that are changing the world of Internet and politics,'' the press release added.

From these nominations, 25 world changers and five rising stars were selected.

''From the beginning, politics has been about two things - ideas and the people that make these ideas realities,'' said Politics Online President Phil Noble, a guest speaker at the annual Worldwide Forum on Electronic Democracy.

''With this announcement, we honor the most innovative ideas and the most influential individuals. With so many people doing so much in this field, narrowing the list down to so few proved a more difficult task than we ever could have imagined - we thank everyone that submitted nominations, and we congratulate all those that were nominated'', said Mayor Andre Santini founder of the Forum.

''As with any list of the best, debate is sure to follow. We certainly hope it will, and that the ongoing conversation about the Internet and politics is carried further.'' Noble, Politics Online and other Politics Online affiliates were not eligible for recognition.

''Papandreou (www.iap.gr) one of the 25 selected individuals is the net savvy Foreign Minister of Greece and has been one of the strongest advocates of multi-national e-democracy having pushed e-democracy at the UN, EU and in other international governmental organizations. He and his Foundations have sponsored the Online Global Poll for the UN Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and the e-Vote project of the Greek Presidency of the EU,'' the announcement added.

[20] French researcher says scientists on last stretch to creating AIDS vaccine

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Montagner said the medication exists and is already being tried on people affected in Africa and other countries. He added that tests must begin soon in developing countries as well, since at least five years are required to enable scientists to create the vaccine's final content and, primarily, therapies to take place at the same time to enable the virus to be placed under full control.

The researcher noted that the target of scientists is to create immunity against the virus, while what is also important are frequent checks all must do as well as a suitable diet.

[21] Gusinskiy reports break-in at his hotel room in Athens

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Gusinskiy has been accused by Russian authorities of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds.

He said that unknown perpetrators had broken into his suite at the hotel and stolen 3,500 euros and a watch from the suite safe.

[22] Firebomb attacks on National Bank branch, McDonald's in Thessaloniki

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Thessaloniki police said one firebomb was thrown at a National Bank branch in the city centre and two more were thrown at a nearby McDonald's.

Minor damage but no injuries were reported.

[23] Rhodes mayor elected Int'l Cultural Heritage Organization president

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

The 16 member board had to choose between the mayor of Rhodes and the mayor of Puebla Mexico. The board, which has a three-year mandate, is composed of the mayors of Rhodes, Puebla (Mexico), Bergen (Norway), Cordoba (Spain) Kazan (Russia) and Sus, (Tunisia).

The conference of the organization was attended by 622 persons from 168 cities, while an additional 300 observers were present in the meetings that focused on issues of protection and promotion of historic cities around the world.

[24] Three Rhodes doctors convicted for responsibility in death of British tourist

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

The convicted doctors Sergios Pavlidis, George Karavolias and Mihalis Sokorelos appealed the conviction and were released.

Paramedics Stergos Koukias and Despina Kazaki, who were also defendants in the case, were acquitted.

Rochester had been taken to hospital at 03:45 on June 11 after falling off a balcony at the hotel he was staying and being seriously injured. The tourist, who had been allegedly drunk, died three hours later.

The court's prosecutor had proposed the acquittal of all the defendants due to the lack of conclusive evidence.

The verdict met with mixed feelings in the courtroom. Relatives and friends of the deceased appeared satisfied by the outcome of the trial, but the hospital doctors and their lawyers expressed their displeasure.

Immediately after the verdict was announced, the Rhodes Medical Society issued an announcement, expressing great surprise over the conviction of the three doctors and underlining that ''they will not accept to become the scapegoats of whatever expediency.''

The Medical Society will also convene a special general assembly on Saturday night to examine the issue.

The Rochester case received widespread publicity in Britain, while even Britain's Parliament had examined the issue.

[25] Ten Greek movies to be screened in Diyarbakir, Turkey

ISTANBUL 27/09/2003 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The screenings will begin Friday evening and will run through Thursday at the local Galeria theater.

Greek Ambassador to Turkey M. Christidis will participate in the opening night events. The showcasing of Greek movies in Turkey is part of the promotion of the Greek cultural identity and the cooperation of the two countries -Greece and Turkey - in the culture sector.

[26] Hard days ahead for Athens motorists due to roadworks

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

Specifically, they said that the right-hand lane in the Athens-bound direction of the Athens-Corinth national highway will be closed to traffic from the 42nd to the 49th kilometer between the hours of 8:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays, as of September 30 and until December 15.

From now until December 18, meanwhile, Kifissos Avenue will be down to one lane in both directions between 20:00 and 5:30 each night from Dyrrahios Road to Athinon Avenue so that traffic barriers can be installed.

Finally, works to construct the Aigaleo metro will reduce the lanes of traffic in Iera Odos from two to one in the Aigaleo direction for the next three months, at the junction with Emmanuel Papa.

[27] Slight earthquake jolts Psachna in Evoia

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

[28] PM inaugurates National Sports Centre for Youth

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

The premier expressed confidence that the Games would be flawlessly carried out.

''The Olympic Games are returning to the place where they were born and revived in 1896. These Games are a national affair. Through them we must promote Greece and show it can compete effectively in the modern world. I believe the country is safely proceeding toward success,'' Simitis said.

He also focused on the task before Greek athletes, noting that the public expected them to do their best.

Commenting on the Agios Kosmas training centre, Simitis described them as the ''heart of preparations for the Olympic Games'' and said they formed part of an overall design, along with those at Ellinikon.

He also stressed the recent successes by Greek athletes in team sports, noting that huge efforts were being made to prepare the Greek Olympics team as fully as possible for the next Olympics.

Simitis said that the country had striven to add a special note to these Games through such initiatives as the Olympic Truce or the Cultural Olympiad and stressed that everyone would have to work and actively contribute for the effort to succeed.

He noted, meanwhile, that the Games were not just an Athenian affair but brought benefits to the entire country through the ''Greece 2004'' program, which had led to over 2,000 projects for sports infrastructure throughout Greece.

''The Athens Olympics are the first Olympics in Europe in the 21st century and will benefit our country. All these projects will promote development, accelerate modernization and establish the Olympic Spirit. Through a successful Olympiad, Greece will radiate everywhere, to the entire world,'' the prime minister said.

Simitis was succeeded by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who said the government had invested roughly 30 million euros in the Agios Kosmas facilities, which was now the most important training centre for athletes preparing for the Games.

[29] Mostly sunny on Saturday

Athens 27/09/2003 (ANA)

[30] Grossman pledges US energetic support to Cyprus solution efforts

UNITED NATIONS 27/09/2003 (CNA/ANA)

President Papadopoulos said there is a difference of views regarding whether or not observers should be sent to the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus during the so-called ''parliamentary elections'' later this year.

The president also said there is the view that the ''elections'' will open up new prospects for a Cyprus settlement.

In his statements, Grossman said he told the president ''that the US is squarely and energetically for a solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution that is fair and good for all the parties.''

Furthermore, he said the US continues ''to be impressed with the efforts of the Secretary General, to be impressed with the plan of the Secretary General,'' adding that he had ''the chance to listen the President's observation, where he thinks we are going.''

Invited by CNA to say what the obstacle was in efforts to bring about a solution, Grossman said ''the obstacles are, people in all sides need to commit themselves in resolving this problem.''

He reiterated that the US ''continues to believe that the possibility for Turkey's entry to the EU is a positive thing'' and expressed certainty that ''the path Cyprus is in now for the EU is a positive thing.''

Grossman further stressed that ''we ought to use the time between now and during next year.''

President Papadopoulos said that during the meeting, the view that the so-called ''elections'' in the Turkish occupied areas, scheduled for December, would open up some prospects for progress to the Cyprus problem was repeated.

Regarding the issue of observers monitoring the ''elections'', President Papadopoulos said he explained the government's position that ''the usefulness (of observers) is based on whether they will have the right to check the electoral lists to see if there are any settlers registered and how many,'' adding that ''it is not a matter of dispute but of different views.''

Asked if the weight of efforts would shift from May 2004 to December 2004, when the decision for Turkey to be given a date to start accession negotiation will be taken, President Papadopoulos said he did not want to make predictions because ''our firm position is that we are ready for negotiations under the UN chief's aegis.''

''There is the Annan plan and without preconditions he can invite us for negotiations,'' the president added.

He further said the Americans ''understand our right to ask for changes and understand that the changes will be useful, making the Annan Plan more viable.''

President Papadopoulos said he believes ''there is a shift from the previous position, that the Annan Plan is sacred and intact as it stands, and that no changes should be made apart from the completion of legislation and the unavoidable change of dates.''

Referring to his meeting with Secretary General Kofi Annan,

Papadopoulos said the UN chief listened to his views but did not express any opinions. ''My belief is that he understands them,'' he concluded.

President Papadopoulos was due to attend a lunch later Friday, hosted by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Papadopoulos meets heads of Guyana, Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Andorra

Commonwealth, European Union and Islamic Conference issues as well as bilateral relations were discussed during the meetings President Papadopoulos had in New York on Thursday with the heads of Guyana, Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Andorra.

On the sidelines of the 58th session of the UN General Assembly,

Papadopoulos also had a brief meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his meeting with his Guyana counterpart Bharrat Jagdeo, Papadopoulos discussed bilateral relations and several issues on the Commonwealth and Islamic Conference agenda.

Later on he met with Andorra Prime Minister Marc Forne Molne and they exchanged views on common interest issues.

Sri Lanka's relations with the European Union and bilateral relations were discussed during Papadopoulos' meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

With Mozambique counterpart Alberto Chissano the Cyprus president reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views concerning the Islamic Conference.

Papadopoulos met also with a delegation of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) headed by Chairman William J Flynn and President George D Schwab.

During the meeting he briefed the delegation on the efforts for a Cyprus settlement, stressing that the island needs stability, peace and a vision for the future.

Papadopoulos attended a reception hosted by well known political cartoonist Ranan Lurie in his honour. Papadopoulos described him as a firm supporter of the restoration of justice in Cyprus.

Later he attended a dinner hosted in his honour by State Departments' Special Representative for Cyprus Thomas Weston.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[31] Christofias outlines House role during 2002-2003

The role of the House of Representatives will be upgraded in the event the Constitution of the European Convention for the Future of Europe is adopted, because the House will substantially participate in EU decision-making, House President Demetris Christofias said here Friday.

Speaking at a press conference during which he outlined the Parliament's work for the year 2002-2003, Christofias said ''this will happen when the parliaments will be monitoring EU legislations or review a proposal which does not comply with the acquis.''

On the House's international relations, Christofias said the representation of Cypriot deputies at various international parliamentary meetings was intensified over the year, as well as bilateral relations.

''It is natural that the promotion of the Cyprus problem and the need to resolve it based on the UN resolutions, was at the epicenter of this activity,'' Christofias added.

The number of overseas missions increased by 40%, he said, while a number of delegations from overseas parliaments or organizations also visited Cyprus.

He reminded that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis visited Cyprus only three days after the signing of the Accession Treaty in Athens during the Greek EU presidency, and addressed the House, adding that European Parliament President Pat Cox also paid a visit to the island.

Regarding the House's relationship with the European Parliament, he said that from next year this role will change since the House will cooperate with the European Parliament just like any other EU member state where the EU Constitution will be effective ''giving parliaments throughout the EU a more upgraded role not only in the legislation and monitoring fields but also in the EU course.''

''The presence of observers from the acceding countries is temporary until the final accession of these countries and the European Parliament elections,'' Christofias said.

On the events scheduled to be held to mark the island's accession on May 1st 2004, the House President said he is in touch with the foreign ministry and a relevant program is being arranged which involves the House's participation too.

[32] EU approves Commission's proposals for occupied areas

BRUSSELS 27/09/03 (CNA/ANA)

The Commission's package, which had been announced on June 3 by Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, responds to the European Council's request that the Commission should do all it can to help the people of the northern part of Cyprus.

The financial assistance provides for 12 million euros for 2003, which involves 9 million euros for economic development and 3 million euros for actions aiming at bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the EU, a statement by the Delegation of the European Commission to Cyprus said here Friday.

Most of the assistance for economic development will be implemented in cooperation with the UNDP/UNOPS and it will support infrastructure projects for the main cities in the northern part (Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia) focusing on wastewater, drinking water, sewage or rehabilitation issues, grant schemes for support to SMEs and feasibility studies to prepare the economic integration of the northern part of Cyprus with the EU after a political solution, including preparation of programs for future participation in the EU structural policy.

These studies would also serve to prepare future projects for other municipalities.

[33] Annan plan good basis for solution, Swedish deputy premier says

NICOSIA 27/09/03 (CNA/ANA)

''We support the Annan plan, which is a good basis for a solution, so that a reunited Cyprus becomes a member of the EU,'' the Swedish official said.

Regarding her meeting with Christofias, she said that they discussed Cyprus' accession to the EU, the Annan plan and matters regarding gender equality, and the ideology of the political parties they represent.

Asked if her country would support the idea that Turkey gets a date for starting accession negotiations with the EU, before a solution of the Cyprus issue, Winberg said, ''I have no comment on that. It is a very controversial issue.''

The Swedish official also met with Justice and Public Order Minister Doros Theodorou. Apart from the Cyprus issue, they discussed the problem of women trafficking in Europe.

''Every year 500,000 women come to the EU as sex slaves. There is lots of money in this trafficking, maybe as much money as in drugs and weapons,'' she told CNA and stressed that the EU should cooperate in this issue.

On Thursday night Winberg gave a speech at a bicommunal event in Nicosia titled ''Feminist governance in practice''.

[34] Defense minister praises Greece's presence at October 1 parade

NICOSIA 27/09/03 (CNA/ANA)

He also praised the fact that Greece's National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will represent his country at the parade, noting that ''many strong political messages will be conveyed.''

Speaking at a press conference, Mavronicolas said Greece's presence at the parade symbolises its continued effort over the great national issues such as the island's accession to the EU, solution of the Cyprus problem, the joint defense pact between Cyprus and Greece and the strengthening of the National Guard.

The defense minister said that Papantoniou's arrival in Cyprus ''endorses the excellent relationship between the two ministries.''

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