Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Proposal on Olympic Truce during Olympic Games gets UN's unprecedented majority

[02] IOC president says Greece preparing adequately for Olympic Games security

[03] FM Papandreou winds up Latin American visit

[04] Gov't confirms collapse of talks with Turkey over ICAO agreement

[05] Foreign Ministry rules out Turkish proposal for five-way talks on Cyprus issue

[06] EU strategy document says lack of Cyprus solution serious obstacle for Turkey

[07] Gov't accuses main opposition of having 'secret agenda'

[08] Deputy FM Loverdos announces PM to visit Thessaloniki on November 24

[09] PM to meet Defense Minister on Tuesday

[10] Government denies reshuffle rumors

[11] Greece regrets Chinook downing in Iraq

[12] Greek deputies received by Israeli counterparts

[13] Israel, US most dangerous to world peace, EU citizens say in opinion poll

[14] Probe launched into 'Kathimerini' article on Stazi and N17

[15] Budget data steadily improving, Greek govt says

[16] Bank of Greece celebrates 75th anniversary, Simitis, Papademos addresses

[17] Intracom signs 2.5-mln-euro contract with Syria's STE

[18] Greek, Turkish mining companies discuss cooperation

[19] Health minister to meet with striking hospital doctors Tuesday

[20] Legal professions fund seeks return of 120 bln drachmas owed by state

[21] Civil servants to strike Tuesday

[22] Greek manufacturing growth slowed in October

[23] Greece outlines proposals on Mediterranean products

[24] Strike to disrupt Olympic, Aegean domestic flights

[25] ETBAbank shows rise in Q3 earnings

[26] ASE greets November with solid gains

[27] Hospitality cruise ship sails into Piraeus for Athens 2004 Olympics

[28] Gov't monitoring fate of Greek seamen in Karachi, deputy minister says

[29] New Thessaloniki-Edessa rail bus route inaugurated

[30] Athens Bar Association organizes discussion on quality and transparency in media

[31] Drama reservoir contaminated by refuse, possibly from Bulgaria

[32] Amendment for brothels, prostitutes tabled in Parliament

[33] U.S. ambassador to Athens receives Frizis award

[34] 17N inclusion in EU list of terror groups a 'bureaucratic weakness'

[35] Government believes Erdogan backs Denktash

[36] Straw: Annan Plan only realistic basis for Cyprus solution

[37] Defense ministry to examine reports Turks are putting anti-tank mines

[01] Proposal on Olympic Truce during Olympic Games gets UN's unprecedented majority

NEW YORK, 4/11/2003 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

Out of a total of 191 members (Iraq, although a UN member, is not represented at the General Assembly), the UN ratified resolution A/58/L9 with 190 votes, which anticipates the cessation of hostilities between August 13-29, 2004, and revives the ancient Greek idea of a Truce.

Addressing the General Assembly, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, the resolution's rapporteur, referred to the Olympic Truce and spoke of the ''longest living peace treaty in history'' and called on the members of the international community ''to send a symbolic message of peace and cooperation among peoples.''

Papandreou said ''the revival of the Olympic Truce provides a constructive approach to the issue of crises management. It is a symbolic appeal for us to break the cycle of violence for 16 days, throughout the duration of the Games, and we hope afterwards as well. Today, this message could not be more opportune, given the climate of uncertainty in the world. The path to peace must pass through mutual understanding and respect and cooperation between cultures and religions. The Olympic Truce can prove to be an extremely valuable tool for diplomacy, providing an opportunity of vital importance for a peaceful settlement of crises through dialogue and education.''

The foreign minister further stressed that ''if we can have peace for 16 days, then maybe we can have peace forever.''

The Olympic Truce, its implementation in our times and the significance of the Greek initiative in light of the Athens Olympic Games were also referred to by the representatives of Cyprus, China, the United States, Israel, Cuba and Switzerland and by Prince Albert of Monaco.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Rogge hailed the decision taken earlier unanimously on the adoption of the Olympic Truce in light of the Athens Olympic Games and spoke of a ''decision which proves that we can all work together for peace in the world.''

Rogge particularly thanked the Greek government and Papandreou for the promotion of the idea and pointed out that the IOC is cooperating closely with such organizations as the UN and the World Bank.

He also referred specifically to the cases of Iraq and Afghanistan, expressing the hope the situation will improve there as well soon.

Speaking after the UN General Assembly session, Papandreou stressed the significance of the Olympic Truce resolution being ratified by the absolute majority of UN member-states, an unprecedented event in the history of the Organization.

''It is a very important moment for Greece, the UN and for the idea of the Olympic Truce. We have the unanimous approval of a resolution, something happening at the UN for the first time, by 190 countries. First of all, the event shows the great acceptance of this great idea, as well as the work done by the diplomatic corps, which worked at the UN to enable us to have so many countries for this idea,'' Papandreou said.

The foreign minister also said ''we believe that with this resolution we shall be able to move more actively now so that this idea can become a reality, or at least for us to have some regions of the earth where this will be consolidated and will function both during 2004 and the next Olympic Games.''

Referring to Rogge's presence, Papandreou said ''Mr. Rogge is coming to the UN at a special moment. The General Assembly is opening to listen to the IOC president, following an initiative by the Greek delegation and will promote the idea of the Olympic Truce.''

Papandreou will be giving a reception in Rogge's honor at the UN's headquarters later in the day.

[02] IOC president says Greece preparing adequately for Olympic Games security

New York, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

''I have faith in the preparation being carried out by the Greek government on the issue of the Olympic Games' security. I believe it is admirable. We can only express our satisfaction after the end of the Games, but I believe that the event will be completed with success. Regarding comments by the press, there are always negative reports before the Olympic Games. In such cases good news is only no news,'' he said.

Replying to a question on the practical implementation of the Olympic Truce in August, Rogge said ''we shall have again a joint parade by the teams of North and South Korea and maybe the participation of the two teams as a single one. We shall have the participation of the Olympic teams of Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. I think that all these are very important developments and, of course, we are continuing to work in cooperation with both the UN and the Greek government to enable results to be even more considerable.''

[03] FM Papandreou winds up Latin American visit

LIMA, 4/11/2003 (ANA-D. Constantakopoulos)

Peru was the last stop on a tour of Latin American countries by Papandreou -- which also included Brazil and Chile -- which was wound up on Sunday and after which the foreign minister flew to New York for Monday's discussion at the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution on the Olympic Truce initiated by Greece.

Papandreou's visits to Peru, Brazil and Chile were in the context of Greece's to become active in areas which were not usually in the spotlight, but also to capitalize on its recent presidency of the European Union, as it wishes to help in strengthening EU ties with Latin America, which is strongly desired by the latter.

In Lima, Papandreou met with Peruvian president Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Prime Minister Beatriz Merino, and Foreign Minister Allan Wagner Tizon, who presented the Greek official with the country's highest medal on behalf of President Toledo.

The two sides also signed an agreement for political consultations as well as a new program of educational exchanges, under which executives of the tourism industry in Peru will continue to be trained in Greece.

There is also interest in cultural exchanges in view of the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens, given Peru's rich heritage in ancient civilizations.

Papandreou also privately toured the Los Olives section of Peru, one of the most characteristic poor towns of the Third World, where the Greek government has decided to fund a mobile hospital unit with a capacity for surgical procedures, under its international humanitarian assistance program.

Speaking to ANA, Tizon expressed his country's gratitude to Greece for its backing of Peru's request for the signing of a 'fourth generation' free trade agreement with the EU.

The EU has signed similar agreements with Chile and Mexico. France and Germany have also backed Peru's request, which has stumbled up against reservations from the European Commission.

[04] Gov't confirms collapse of talks with Turkey over ICAO agreement

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas simply confirmed that no agreement was reached during bilateral talks with Turkey in Paris within the framework of the ICAO and said that Greece had ''fully protected its national interests''.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis explained that the deal had fallen through despite strenuous efforts on the Greek side after the two sides failed to agree on technical matters concerning their mutual cooperation that would have to be incorporated in a Letter of Agreement to clinch the deal.

He said the existing air-corridors would continue to be in force as long as the two sides had not arrived at any agreement and expressed hope that a new meeting for negotiations could be set up soon.

[05] Foreign Ministry rules out Turkish proposal for five-way talks on Cyprus issue

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed that the Cyprus issue also had a European dimension, as a result of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

According to the spokesman, the Turkish premier's "continuous and contradictory statement confirmed that Turkey's policy with regard to the Cyprus issue has reached an impasse".

[06] EU strategy document says lack of Cyprus solution serious obstacle for Turkey

BRUSSELS, 4/11/2003 (ANA/V. Demiris)

This indirect linking of a solution to the Cyprus issue and the starting of accession negotiations between the European Union and Turkey is included, according to EU sources, in the EU's strategy document on Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania to be ratified by the European Commission on Wednesday, together with progress reports on the 10 new member-states.

According to the sources, the document further stresses that Turkey has achieved considerable and decisive steps in the direction of fulfilling Copenhagen criteria with the political and economic reforms it has adopted.

However, it further stresses that the main problems in Turkey's course towards Europe is the implementation of reforms which continues to be unsatisfactory, particularly the considerable role the military continues to have in public life with emphasis on the control of expenditures and the budget's transparency, limitations in freedom of speech, gathering, demonstrating and cultural rights, as well as Turkey's compliance with decisions taken by the European Human Rights Court.

[07] Gov't accuses main opposition of having 'secret agenda'

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Protopapas claimed that Sunday's statements by ND political program coordinator George Souflias, who said that the financial crimes squad SDOE would not be abolished but radically overhauled, were directly contradicted on Monday by ND official George Alogoskoufis.

''This is political polyphony, which demonstrates ND's inconsistency. ND is becoming a political Babel. But there is also a serious underlying problem, since it proves that there are forces within the party that favor impunity, wink at lawlessness and do not wish inspection mechanisms to work. These signs lead us to the conclusion that there is a secret program in ND,'' Protopapas said.

The spokesman also noted statements earlier on Monday by Honorary ND President Constantine Mitsotakis that expressed strong support for Archbishop Christodoulos in the dispute between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece, thus utterly flouting the party's official line of neutrality on ecclesiastical issues.

At the same time, the spokesman denied that his statement about a secret ND 'agenda' contradicted earlier statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who had accused ND of lacking a program altogether.

''ND has an incoherent outward expression of its political arguments and this does not clash with an estimate that there is a secret program 'beneath the table' that seeks to undermine the gains of the Greek people and create unfavorable developments for Greek society,'' the spokesman said.

Answering the critics on Monday, however, Souflias accused the government of trying to distort ND's positions and said there was no difference of position between himself and ND leader Costas Karamanlis on the issue of SDOE.

Souflias said that he had actually been responsible for the part of Karamanlis' speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair that talked about abolishing SDOE in its present form.

This meant that the inspection mechanism would be reformed and modernized, he added.

According to Alogoskoufis, meanwhile, SDOE will be scrapped and there would be a new framework of tax inspection mechanisms in the framework of a public-sector overhaul.

[08] Deputy FM Loverdos announces PM to visit Thessaloniki on November 24

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Loverdos said the prime minister's presence will underline the priority given by Greece on the issue of the Balkans' development course, while the political message expressed during the Greek EU presidency on Greece's interest in developments in the region will be strengthened.

''We have said at times, and we mean it, that Thessaloniki is the capital and the center of all these activities,'' Loverdos said.

All diplomatic authorities of countries interested, as well as of the 24 EU countries, will be invited to the event concerning the Prime Minister.

Loverdos also announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate ESOAB's office created in the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace on the occasion of his arrival in the city.

The deputy minister further said 13 new major projects, apart from five already approved, have been included in ESOAB's programs.

[09] PM to meet Defense Minister on Tuesday

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

At 11:30 on Tuesday, Simitis will chair a meeting of government and party officials to discuss regional problems and in the morning he will inaugurate the renovated station for the over ground electric train line in Kallithea.

[10] Government denies reshuffle rumors

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

"There is no issue of a reshuffle. We are doing our job and moving ahead," Protopapas said.

[11] Greece regrets Chinook downing in Iraq

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis expressed the foreign ministry leadership's sadness over the incident, and called for acceleration of the procedures for Iraq's reconstruction.

[12] Greek deputies received by Israeli counterparts

JERUSALEM, 4/11/2003 (ANA/P. Dimitropoulos)

Head of the Greek delegation Panayiotis Sgouridis spoke of the significance of dialogue ''as the singular tool for the confrontation of differences'' and expressed the hope that ''the new - under formation - government of the Palestinians would promote the road map of the international community during negotiations with the Israeli government''.

He added that Greece is maintaining correct distance from both sides.

The Israeli deputies briefed their Greek counterparts concerning the positions of their parties on the road map and the Geneva agreements, while they recognized the contribution of Greece in promoting peace.

The Greek delegation met with Israeli Knesset members and members of the Greek-Israeli Friendship Group at a Jerusalem hotel as they had met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat earlier and according to regular Israeli practice, any person meeting with Arafat is not allowed to enter the building of Knesset.

According to sources, the Israeli delegation, which was headed by Eti Livni, believes that Greece leans toward the Palestinian side. But former defense minister Efrem Snech, whom the Greek delegation met a little earlier in the day, said that over the past few years Greece has held a more balanced position.

Snech also said that Greece is in an ''ethical position'' to influence the Palestinians, since it has a long history of supporting the Palestinians.

Also on Monday the members of the Greek delegation visited Bethlehem and the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, where the mayor of the latter expressed his distress over the construction of the wall that will bar access of Palestinian Christian Orthodox persons from their shrines in the holy city of Christendom.

He stressed that the wall will cut off a newly built settlement of Christians, a settlement constructed with funds from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Archbishopric of Cyprus and the Greek Consulate of Jerusalem.

Sgouridis promised to promote the message that the wall is destroying properties of citizens and that it divides the Holy Land.

[13] Israel, US most dangerous to world peace, EU citizens say in opinion poll

BRUSSELS, 4/11/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

According to the poll 59 per cent of those questioned in the opinion poll said that Israel constituted the greatest threat to peace on the planet.

More specifically, Europeans said that Israel is the most dangerous country to peace, with the U.S. coming second with 53 per cent, then came Iran and North Korea, while in Greece Iran garnered only 26 per cent and North Korea 30 per cent.

Contrary to the view Europeans hold of other countries, only 8 per cent declared that the EU maybe dangerous to world peace.

European respondents appeared fearful of terrorist attacks as 54 per cent said that they considered such a possibility very likely or likely to materialize, with Britons and Spaniards having recorded a 76 per cent on that question and Greeks lower than average with 51 per cent.

[14] Probe launched into 'Kathimerini' article on Stazi and N17

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

According to Stasi files, the organization was being funded by a Greek businessman during that period.

[15] Budget data steadily improving, Greek govt says

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

A finance ministry announcement said that regular revenues rose 4.7 percent in the January-September period compared with the same period last year, lagging an official target for 2003 (5.6 percent) and reflecting changes in VAT tax collecting system.

Primary spending rose 6.2 percent in the first nine months of the year, with the government expecting a slowdown in the months ahead after a surge in public investment program (up 35.8 percent) in that period.

Interest payment totalled 7.54 billion euros in the January-September period, below an official target of 9.35 billion euros with the government expecting to meet budget targets by year end.

[16] Bank of Greece celebrates 75th anniversary, Simitis, Papademos addresses

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Addressing an event marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Bank of Greece, Simitis said that the country's central bank was, in addition to its supervisory role, also undertaking the task of monitoring and implementing regulations concerning bank-client relations.

Greetings were delivered by the new governor of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet, deputy governor Loukas Papademos, and the governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas.

Addressing the same event, Papademos called on the EU monetary union member-countries for respect of the Stability Pact, adding that its credibility must not be undermined.

He stressed the need for advancing structural reforms, chiefly on the job market and in the social insurance sector, adding that the reforms so far were not sufficient.

He said that the three keys to reinforcing growth in the EU were the advancement of structural changes, the exercise of a prudent fiscal policy, and achievement of the goal of price stability.

Papademos also said that in the present juncture, in which was apparent a serious worsening of the fiscal position of a number of EU member states -- which had a rise in their deficits in excess of the 3 percentage point ceiling -- it was necessary to take strict structural measures.

[17] Intracom signs 2.5-mln-euro contract with Syria's STE

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Syria's telecommunications organization will use the new systems to support BRA-ISDN, data and telephony services to the capital Damascus and three regions of the country, as part of a program to upgrade the country's telecommunications network.

Meanwhile, Intralot said it was examining the listing of its shares in a foreign stock market in 2004. The company, expects its consolidated turnover to exceed 325 million euros, with pre-tax profits to exceed 90 million euros this year, up 90 percent from 2002.

[18] Greek, Turkish mining companies discuss cooperation

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

The meeting, attended by union board members along with several businessmen from both countries, discussed each country's fields of activities. A round table discussion also examined the promotion of Greek investments in the mining sector of the neighboring country.

"The cooperation of Greek and Turkish Mining Unions will bring the two peoples more closer. Mining companies are contributing significantly in both countries' economies. We believe in strength in unity and hope that both unions will expand their cooperation," Costas Daskalakis, vice-president of the Greek Mining Union said addressing the meeting.

Ismet Kasapoglu, president of the Turkish Mining Union stressed: "We consider very significant the exchange of views between the two unions. Turkey is currently drafting a new mining legislation that will help foreign investments, reduce bureaucracy and improve cooperation conditions."

The meeting agreed that both countries have a joint serious comparative advantage in the sector with large metal, marble and other industrial mineral deposits. Both countries also have a notable level of production technology and significant mining and processing units.

Greek companies are moving ahead in international activities, while Turkish companies are based in certain world-class deposits, but lack in foreign capital inflows, the meeting said.

Three Greek mining companies have either invested in Turkey (S&B Industrial Mining SA, Greek Magnesites SA), or using Turkish mining products and examining new investments (Larco).

[19] Health minister to meet with striking hospital doctors Tuesday

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

In statements on Monday, the minister said the doctors' demand for higher pay was fair but stressed that the size and extent of their demands and whether these could be satisfied was something they would have to discuss with the finance ministry.

''I recognize the fairness of the demand but not with respect to the amount so much as to the fact that some increase is needed,'' Stefanis said.

On other demands regarding procedural issues, Stefanis said the relevant Parliament committee will discuss a health ministry bill that shortens promotion time for doctors to five years on Wednesday.

[20] Legal professions fund seeks return of 120 bln drachmas owed by state

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

They stressed that the repayment should be immediately included in the next state budget.

The press conference was held by the president of the Athens Bar Association Dimitris Paxinos and the heads of associations of Greek notaries, conveyances, land registrars and other branches of the legal professions in the country.

Paxinos stressed that failure to return the sum would set the viability of the legal professions fund at risk, and said the entire issue had been outlined in a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

He also claimed that the money had been essentially 'embezzled' by the state and said the fund had filed three suits asking for its return.

The head of the notaries' association warned, meanwhile, that the sector would come down on strike unless the money was returned.

[21] Civil servants to strike Tuesday

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

The ADEDY union said the walkout was the first move in a campaign to improve terms for employees and support a social state.

Public workers want to see an end to austerity, a new payscale with a starting wage of 1,050 euros per month, the incorporation of allowances into base pay, and award of a benefit for work that is hazardous to health, including for refuse collectors.

[22] Greek manufacturing growth slowed in October

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

The October reading was the lowest in the last seven months and reflected production losses caused by a wave of strikes that hit the manufacturing sector in the month.

New orders to the manufacturing sector rose in October although employment levels fell for the fifth consecutive month, this time with the biggest rate in the several months.

The monthly index, compiled by NTC Research of the UK with the Greek Procurements Institute, is designed to offer an overview of conditions in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 show growth, while below 50 slowdown.

[23] Greece outlines proposals on Mediterranean products

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

At a meeting in Brussels, Drys said that the government was seeking improvement of the EU Commission's proposals on tobacco in order to better safeguard the future of the crop in Greece.

For olive oil, the government wanted national quotas retained, which Fischler accepted.

Among proposals for cotton were that producers' groups should undertake management of subsidies. The groups needed to be formed immediately, the minister said.

[24] Strike to disrupt Olympic, Aegean domestic flights

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Olympic has cancelled 19 domestic flights, and Aegean three, the two companies said in separate statements on Monday.

[25] ETBAbank shows rise in Q3 earnings

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

Earnings for distribution are 31.4 million euros, marking a 5.1 percent increase on the third quarter of 2002, the bank said in a statement.

Management attributed healthy results to a 38.9 percent rise in net revenue, in turn stemming from an increase in net revenue from interest and a rise in financial revenue from application of an active treasury operations policy, the statement said.

In addition, operational expenditure dropped, it added.

[26] ASE greets November with solid gains

Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 1.88 percent to end at 2,163.18 points, surpassing the 2,500-point technical resistance level. Turnover was a heavy 192.9 million euros.

All sector indices ended higher. The Textile (6.01 percent), Insurance (5.57 percent) and Publications (4.13 percent) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks jumped 2.04 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 2.15 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index surged 3.50 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 315 to 30 with another 20 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Public Power Corporation, Football Pools Organization and EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

at 101.5 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: