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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-12Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>November 12, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Inter-ministerial meeting eyes city's operation during GamesAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The government on Tuesday dismissed recent speculation citing the possibility of legislation prohibiting demonstrations and rallies in the greater Athens area during next year’s 2004 Olympic Games, with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis himself ruling out such a prospect.The statement came during the latest inter-ministerial meeting between several top Cabinet ministers and the leadership of the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC), a session again chaired by Simitis. The focus of Tuesday’s meeting was the city’s operation from Aug. 2 to Sept. 4, the period before and just after the Summer Games conclude. Other government and ATHOC officials, according to reports, nevertheless stressed that potential mobilizations during the Games be held “responsibly”, as demonstrations that disturb or impede sports events or other Olympics-related events are still illegal. In other comments, the Greek PM reiterated that Athens should be both “open” and “secure” city during next year’s Games, one that does not feature a police-state atmosphere but one with a celebratory aura. Meanwhile, during a later press conference, ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos cited the regions covered by the measures include the so-called “Olympic road network”, the centre of Athens, the port of Piraeus and the coastal stretch from Piraeus to the upscale district of Glyfada. Other regions falling under the special regime during the holding of the Games are, of course, those where Olympic venues and facilities are located. Special measures during the Games include the nighttime-only collection of rubbish as well as transport of market goods; special traffic lanes for the exclusive use by Olympics-related vehicles (buses, VIP limousines, law enforcement etc.); 24-hour mass transit service and free transportation for ticket-holders etc. As far as store hours in the specific Olympic zones are concerned, they will have the right to remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Stores will remain closed on Sundays (tourist-oriented businesses are excluded). [02] Defense minister meets Romanian FMAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday held talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, during his visit to the Romanian capital, Bucharest.The two men discussed developments in the Middle East, Iraq, the Cyprus problem, EU-NATO cooperation in the defense sector and the EU accession prospects of countries in the Balkan Peninsula. Papantoniou expressed support for the entry of Balkan countries in the 'European family' during the meeting. Romania's bid for EU accession will be assessed at the end of 2004, with the prospect of entering the Community in 2007. Geoana said that the EU should undertake similar initiatives in the Black Sea region during the meeting, while Papantoniou reiterated that the EU had to have autonomy in security and defense, which was supplementary to NATO. The Greek defense minister also noted the need to find political solutions to the problems that give rise to terrorism and called on the EU and United States to coordinate their efforts in this direction under the auspices of the United Nations. Papantoniou reiterated that Turkey was responsible for the failure to achieve solutions for major issues, such as the Cyprus problem and Ankara's unilateral demands against Greek sovereign rights, stressing that developments on these issues during 2004 and the steps taken by Turkey toward harmonization with the European acquis would determine its European prospects. [03] Greek, Romanian defense ministers meet in BucharestAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday met with his Romanian counterpart Ioan Mircea Pascu in Bucharest and discussed security conditions in the Balkans, while they also focused on the Cyprus issue and signed a protocol for military cooperation in 2004.Papantoniou called on Romania to forge forward with a dynamic policy of reforms in order to accede to the European Union. The two ministers also noted that security conditions in the Balkans are improving, adding, however, that the presence of the international community is still necessary in Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Bosnia due to latent nationalist tensions. Papantoniou and Pascu also discussed the Cyprus issue and agreed that it has to be resolved in accordance with international law and on the basis of the Annan plan. [04] Gov't denies foreign press allegations of planned Albanian provocationAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The government on Tuesday denied a report appearing in the latest issue of Der Spiegel warning of imminent provocation by Albanians in Northern Greece.''Such kinds of evaluations do not correspond to reality,'' government spokesman Christos Protopapas said in reply to press questions prompted by Greek newspaper articles citing the Der Spiegel article. According to the Der Spiegel article ''in northern Greece, militant Albanians are preparing for armed conflict. Their declared aim is to create a Greater Albania'', adding that ''it has long ceased to be a secret that the architects of Greater Albania are also training their sights on Hellas''. Later in the day, Public Order Minister George Floridis said that the publication is out of reality's bounds and noted that ''from time-to-time we read different things in publications from all over the world. I believe that everything should be evaluated, but for the specific one I can say to you that it is out of reality's bounds''. On his part, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressed that ''the Greek-Albanian relations are at an exceptionally good level and the Greek government has no reason to believe that conditions are formulated within Albania to question the status of regions within Greece''. [05] Commission adopts proposal for EU external borders agencyBRUSSELS, 12/11/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)The European Commission on Tuesday adopted a proposal for a Council of Ministers' Regulation to establish a European Agency for managing the external borders of European Union member-states.The aim is to manage operational cooperation between EU member-states in implementing EU legislation relating to external borders, such as combatting illegal immigration and people-trafficking, while improving conditions for the reception and integration of legal immigrants into European society. The service will provide technical assistance to member-states in training border guards, carry out general and tailored risk assessments, follow-up developments in research and assist in the removal of third-party nationals illegally residing in the EU. The new agency is due to begin operating at the start of 2005 and to have a budget of six million euros during the first year and 10 million euros in 2006. Based on the decisions of the Brussels summit in October, each member-state will be responsible for the number of legal immigrants that it accepts on its territory, in accordance with local laws and conditions, including the job market. On November 6, meanwhile, Albania became the first European country to arrive at an agreement with the EU on the repatriation of illegal immigrants. [06] PM has working meeting with Athens-Piraeus prefectAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday had a working meeting with Athens-Piraeus supraprefect Fofi Gennimata at his offices and was briefed on the prefecture's progress.FM discusses cooperation issues with Athens-Piraeus supraprefect: Foreign Minister George Papandreou held talks on Tuesday with Athens-Piraeus Supraprefect Fofi Yennimata, focusing on issues of cooperation between the foreign ministry and the Athens-Piraeus supraprefecture in light of next year's Athens Olympic Games, the initiative regarding the Olympic Truce and joint initiatives in the framework of cities and citizens diplomacy. They also discussed the problems of immigrants and their incorporation in the Attica region, as well as the role of regions in the European Union in the framework of the discussion on the European constitution. Earlier, Papandreou had a discussion with ombudsman G. Kaminis on human rights issues in light of the new European constitution's preparation and of negotiations at the intergovernmental conference. [07] Education Minister Efthymiou meets with Turkish counterpart CelikAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The reopening of the Halki Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Turkey is not a part of Greek-Turkish relations but a matter concerning Turkey's alignment with the acquis communautaire, Greek Education Minister Petros Efthymiou told reporters Monday night after talks in Athens with his Turkish counterpart Hussein Celik.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 21st meeting of the Council of Europe's education ministers held in the Greek capital. Efthymiou said he had stressed to Celik that Turkey's course to the EU ''is not a bilateral issue'', adding that Turkey was fully aware that ''Greece's desire is the reinforcement of the friend and neighboring country's course to its European orientation''. Efthymiou said the meeting took place at Celik's request, adding that his Turkish counterpart told him that the Halki School ''has been closed for 32 years, and the Turkish government's intention is that it should not remain closed''. The Greek education minister said he had remarked to Celik that his statements were positive, and stressed that the operation of the Halki School was not a matter connected to Greek-Turkish bilateral relations. He said he and Celik had also discussed the issue of schoolbooks in their respective countries, and agreed that ''there is no reason for the books to perpetuate animosity or enmity'', because ''it is important for one country to comprehend the other's viewpoint''. [08] PM meets PASOK secretary, discusses pre-election campaignAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis and PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis met on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the party's pre-election campaign.No statements were made after the meeting, though sources said that talks focused on the progress of the committees drafting PASOK's election program, the party tickets and PASOK's Central Election Campaign Committee. The composition of the Central Election Campaign Committee is expected to be announced on Thursday by Simitis, who will chair its first meeting later the same day. [09] Deputy interior minister Bistis holds talks atUN NEW YORK, (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Greece's visiting deputy interior, public administration and decentralization minister Nikos Bistis met Monday with UN officials and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. During his visit to the UN headquarters, Bistis discussed issues of his competency with the chairman of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Guatemalan permanent representative to the UN Gert Rosenthal, with executives of the secretariat of the Economic and Social Affairs Division, and with assistant secretary general for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs Patrizio Civili and Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor. It was decided, inter alia, that the UN office in Athens would not be shut down, but would instead be incorporated with the Thessaloniki office (UNTC). Deputy interior minister Bistis comments [10] on Citizens Service CentersAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Deputy Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Nikos Bistis said on Tuesday Greece is an innovator and pioneer at global level with the functioning of Citizens Service Centers, while dozens of countries have shown interest in adopting the specific program.Bistis also announced that a special conference will be held in Athens on December 9 with the participation of many foreign delegations. According to Bistis, Mexico and India in particular as well as many other countries showed interest in the ''effectiveness of the Centers' implementation'', adding that ''almost all Greek citizens have been served by the Centers and no case of corruption has been reported so far.'' [11] ND leader speaks to the Financial Times, calling ND center-right partyAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) ''is not a political party of the right, but of the center-right,'' party leader Costas Karamanlis said in an interview to the Monday edition of the Financial Times.The newspaper report included an analysis on the recent opinion poll results that gave ND a considerable lead in the upcoming elections, with Karamanlis stating that ''the steadfast lead of New Democracy, by 7 percentage points in the opinion polls reflects the distancing of dissatisfied voters of the center from (ruling) PASOK.'' ''We have the support of the social groups that in the past strongly supported PASOK, but today are not doing so well, such an example are the farmers and those employed in small and medium enterprises,'' Karamanlis said. The newspaper also noted Karamanlis' pre-election proclamation that he will combat corruption in the public sector and curb bureaucracy. Concerning Greek-Turkish relations, Karamanlis said that ''Greeks have only to gain from a Europeanized Turkey. But we must take more substantial steps, to make rapprochement a reality, since up to now we only had climate moves (change of climate)''. [12] Cyprus economy minister says Cyprus ready for EU accession on May 1NICOSIA, 12/11/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)Economy Minister Markos Kyprianou, in an exclusive interview with the Athens News Agency (ANA), expressed his conviction that Cyprus will be ready for accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004, from an economic point of view, adding that in two or three years it will meet all Maastricht Treaty criteria.Kyprianou said that at present the economy of Cyprus does not meet the indicators concerning the fiscal deficit, the public debt and the inflation rate. He said the most difficult to fulfill is the fiscal deficit and the public debt because their deviation is due to problems of a structural nature. The fiscal deficit will reach 5.4 percent this year and the public debt 63.5 percent of GDP. Kyprianou said that according to the fiscal restructuring program, the fiscal deficit and the public debt are expected to be fully aligned with Maastricht criteria by 2006. He further added that as of 2007 Cyprus will be ready to join the Economic and Monetary Union. The minister went on to say that Cyprus' accession to the EU will have considerable and tangible benefits for the economy of Cyprus. Referring to the Annan plan, Kyprianou said it does not give necessary attention to the economic dimensions and the economic repercussions of a possible solution to the problem of Cyprus and considerable clarifications are required, primarily with regard to the distribution of economic duties between the federal state and the component states, the distribution of tax revenues and the granting of aid to the component states. [13] Public Investments Program handouts 6.5 bln euros in Jan-SeptAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The Greek government on Tuesday expressed its satisfaction over progress made in the implementation of this year's Public Investments Program.Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas, speaking to reporters, said that handouts in the first nine months of the year totalled 6.5 billion euros, or 75.8 percent of the total program (8.6 billion euros). Mr Pahtas said that Public Investments Program's handouts was up 31.6 percent in the January-September period compared with the same period last year. A ministry report said that large infrastructure projects were progressing rapidly, including a large bridge linking Rio and Antirrio in western Greece (expected to be completed in spring 2004), a double line high-speed railway line linking Athens and Korinth (to be ready by the end of 2004), a Suburban Railway to be delivered in time for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, a tram trolley in Athens and major road projects in Attica. [14] Autohellas/Hertz reports 14.2 pct rise in pre-tax profitsAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Autohellas/Hertz on Tuesday reported a 14.2 percent increase in its pre-tax profits to 14.4 million euros in the first nine months of 2003, from 12.6 million euros in the same period last year, and a 6.6 percent rise in turnover to 71.6 million euros from 67.2 million euros over the same period, respectively.A company announcement attributed its improved results to a more efficient management of its fleet during the winter months and a speedier recycling process of used cars. Pre-amortization profits totalled 53.2 million euros. Autohellas/Hertz said its fleet worth more than 225 million euros in the January-September period, while investments are expected to exceed 72 million euros this year. The company's fleet exceeded 19,000 cars in 2003, the biggest in Greece. [15] UK tourist arrivals to Greece almost unchanged from 2002Athens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)UK travel experts are sounding optimistic over tourist arrivals to Greece despite unfavorable developments in the European travel sector this year.This was the main conclusion of an international tourism fair World Travel Market (WTM), currently held in London, UK. Greece's National Tourism Organization's officials said that UK tourist arrivals to Greece this year would reach 2002 levels, when around 3.0 million British tourists visited Greece. UK Tour Operators told Greek tourism authorities that Greece was presenting a comparative more positive development as a tourist market, with Thompson saying that Santorini ranked fourth in a list of most favorable travel destinations for British tourists this year. During the inauguration ceremony of the Greek pavilion in the fair, by GNTO president Yiannis Patellis and UK travel agency union president (ABTA) John Harding, Greek tourism authorities presented annual awards to Mr Stephen Bath (president of ABTA in the period 2000-2003), Mr Dave Richardson (journalist) and Mr Alan Flook (secretary-general of UK Tour Operators' Union in 1997-2003). [16] EU proposes plan to boost investment in transport, energy networksBRUSSELS, 12/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)The European Union's executive Commission said on Tuesday that it had proposed an express action plan to increase investment in the bloc's transport and energy networks.The Commission's plan includes the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki motorway, which could be extended to link the port of Igoumenitsa, Patras, Athens, Thessaloniki, Sofia and Budapest; and expansion of electricity network infrastructure between Greece and Balkan countries. The proposal also aims to boost the EU's technology sector and the adoption of innovative practices in the bloc. It is expected to increase employment, protect the environment and aid economic growth, the Commission said in a statement. The plan, whose budget is about 38 billion euros until 2010 for cross-border transport links, would be applied in sections over the next three years. Another 10 billion euros is destined for energy networks, and 14 billion euros for high-speed communications networks, research and development, growth and innovation, the statement said. [17] Projects seek financing for expansion of internet use in tourismAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The general secretariat of tourism has submitted five projects for inclusion in the government's information society program that aim to increase internet use in the tourism industry.The secretariat said in a statement on Friday that the projects budgeted at 9.2 million euros are as follows: [18] Greek firms lagging in business ties with TurkeyAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Greek firms have exploited only a fraction of potential business ties with Turkey, trade attache C Kounalakis said on Tuesday.The leeway for further growth in bilateral trade and business alliances between the two countries had a broad scope, especially after recovery of the Turkish economy, Kounalakis told a meeting at the Athens Chamber of Light Industry. Greek firms needed to sound out the Turkish market as venues for their products, he added. [19] EU Commission approves state subsidies to Hellenic PostBRUSSELS, 12/11/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)The European Commission on Tuesday approved state subsidies worth 415 million euros, offered to Hellenic Post (ELTA) in the last six years, saying it did not breach community legislation over free competition in domestic markets.A Commission statement said the state subsidy was acceptable as it helped ELTA's restructuring. [20] Budget for 2004 to parliament on November 18Athens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The budget for 2004 will be sent to parliament on November 18, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Tuesday.Speaking after a meeting with the prime minister, Christodoulakis told reporters that the budget had been finalized. The estimate for 2004 was a general government deficit of 1.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from 1.4 percent in 2003. Growth was forecast at 4.2 percent in 2004 against 4.0 percent this year, the minister said. [21] EU warns Greece to apply shipping safety measuresBRUSSELS, 12/11/2003 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)The European Union's executive Commission on Tuesday warned Greece and seven other countries to harmonies national laws with a directive on improved shipping safety.The warning came in the form of a reasoned opinion, which is the Commission's final move before taking countries to the European Court for non-compliance with the bloc's legislation. The eight countries were committed to compliance by July 23, 2003 in the wake of the Prestige shipwreck off Spain. [22] Greek stocks end 0.91 pct lower on TuesdayAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended Tuesday's session significantly lower in the Athens Stock Exchange reflecting a wave of profit taking during the last hour of trading in the market that hit all sectors.The general index ended 0.91 percent lower at 2,173.19 points, with turnover a moderate 102.5 million euros. The Investment sector was the only one to score gains (up 0.12 percent), while the Publication, Insurance and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.17 percent, 2.22 percent and 2.15 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.75 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.09 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 1.67 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 276 to 50 with another 41 issues unchanged. Hellenic Telecommunications Organization: 9.52 Titan Cement Company (common): 33.98 Motor Oil: 6.98 The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Public Power Corporation, Lambrakis and Alpha Bank. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover 84.8 mln euros on Tuesday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Tuesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of November 11 2003 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,158 1,132 [23] UK Olympic champions push for return of Parthenon MarblesAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Two of Britain’s best-known Olympic medalists brought the international campaign to return the Parthenon Marbles to Athens back to the Acropolis on Tuesday, the very spot where the ancient friezes were sliced off and taken by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century.Alan Wells, the 100-metre gold medalist during the 1980 Moscow Games, and Steve Smith, the high jump bronze medalist during the 1996 Atlanta Games, arrived in the Greek capital this week as representatives of a group of British Olympic medalists backing the repatriation of the Marbles from British Museum exile in time for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. While standing on the spot that epitomizes the birthplace of western civilization, the two Olympic medalists reiterated that the Olympic Games are not just a sports event, but a major cultural event. They also pointed to the timing of such a decision, saying that ahead of the 2004 Games is the most opportune time for the British government to return the Marbles. Wells and Smith were accompanied on their visit by two members of the British Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles, Gary Burchet and Freddy New, respectively. According to the latter, the British public, by an eight to one majority, backs a return of the Marbles from British Museum exile, while a majority of House of Commons MPs are also in favor. Wells and Smith will tour various Olympics-related projects and venues on Wednesday. Another nine British Olympians are lending their support to the standing demand by the official Greek state, various international dignitaries and classicists the world over, including Linford Christie, Jonathan Edwards, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Tessa Sanderson, David Hemery, Jason Quelly, Mark Richardson, Chris Hoy as well as Daley Thomson, according to a press release by the Greek culture ministry. [24] EU to host exhibition on Tennessee Williams this monthAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The Hellenic American Union (HEU) is hosting an exhibition this month on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the death of renowned American dramatist Tennessee Williams, entitled “Tennessee Williams and the Greek Art Theater”.The exhibition, organized under the auspices of the US embassy in Athens, includes photographs of performances by the Greek Art Theatre and other material, as well as sketches by Ellie Solomonidou-Balanou. The exhibition will open on Thursday and continue until Nov. 27 at the Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas Gallery within the HEU's downtown Athens campus (22, Massalias St). For more information, call the HEU at (210) 36.80.000. [25] Attorney says Giotopoulos innocent; explains terror group's structureAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)One of the attorneys for Giotopoulos, who lived under the assumed name of “Michel Economou” for some 25 years, claimed his client has already been tried and found guilty even before stepping into court.He also called on the three-justice panel to separate fact from fiction and reality from lies, saying they owed it not just to the defendants but also to society in general. While repeatedly proclaiming his client’s innocence and lack of any affiliation with the once-elusive terror group, attorney Costas Chrysikopoulos nevertheless also commented on the ultra-leftist group itself, saying its structure was based on a “strictly voluntary basis and with a horizontal hierarchy.” In continuing his examination of the group, Chrysikopoulos said attorneys for the terrorist organization’s victims have “confused N17’s action with those of larger groups or parties. Organizations such as N17 did not have strong personalities, or even more so, moral collaborators. “November 17 never tried or convicted anyone … The proclamations outlined the organization’s thinking. You cannot ignore what the proclamations said,” the defense attorney said in reference to the texts left practically after every assassination or bombing. [26] Mitsotakis recovering rapidly, doctors reportAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Doctors treating former premier and main opposition New Democracy's honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis at Evangelismos Hospital on Tuesday reported that his health was improving very satisfactorily since his admission the previous day.Mitsotakis was taken to Evangelismos and put on a saline drip on Monday to combat dehydration and a high fever linked to a bout of gastroenteritis caused by a virus. Tuesday's medical bulletin said the dehydration had been reversed and the balance of electrolytes in the patient's bloodstream was rapidly improving. Doctors said that Mitsotakis would probably be released from hospital on Wednesday evening or Thursday afternoon, if he continued to improve at the same rate. [27] Gov't wishes speedy recovery to former premier MitsotakisAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Tuesday expressed the government's wishes for the speedy recovery and rapid return to active political life of veteran politician Constantine Mitsotakis, a former premier and honorary president of main opposition New Democracy, who is now in hospital recuperating from a bout of gastroenteritis.[28] Makeshift bomb outside Athens Citibank neutralizedAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Police bomb disposal experts neutralized an explosive device composed of three sticks of dynamite with a controlled explosion after it was detected outside a branch of Citibank in the Athens district of Zografou at 10:35 p.m. on Tuesday.Shortly before 10 p.m., an unidentified person phoned the Athens newspaper ''Eleftherotypia'' and announced that a bomb was going to explode at the bank in question and that responsibility was being undertaken by the organization ''Christos Kassimis.'' Almost simultaneously a passerby called the police, saying that a suspicious package was lying in front of the bank. Police cordoned off the area immediately, while two fire engines rushed to the scene, as well as a mobile crane in the event the six-storey apartment building housing the bank had to be evacuated. [29] Thessaloniki Cinema Festival beginning on November 21Athens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The 44th Thessaloniki Cinema Festival will begin on November 21 with the number of Greek films participating amounting to 28.A total of 189 films will be screened, together with foreign films, documentaries, short films and dedications. The Festival's program will end on November 30 with the award ceremony for state film quality prizes taking place at the Concert Hall, while the ceremony for awards given to foreign films will take place at the ''Olympion'' on November 29. [30] Two metropolitans of the Church of Greece visit PatriarchateISTANBUL, 12/11/2003 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Metropolitans of Ioannina Theoklitos and of Philippi Prokopios on Tuesday visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate and spoke with Patriarch Vartholomeos and members of the Holy Synod here.They refused comment upon the completion of their meetings. [31] Poet Kiki Dimoula given poetry seat at Athens AcademyAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)Poet Kiki Dimoula ''occupied'' the poetry seat at the Athens Academy during her official admission as a regular member on Tuesday night, which took place during a special Academy ceremony.Academy President Grigoris Skalkeas addressed the ceremony, as did Academic Vassilis Petrakos. Referring to the rich and considerable work of Dimoula, Petrakos termed her the ''successor of Nikiforos Vrettakos'', stressing that this recognition does not constitute the end of her activity ''but another scene in the promenade of your life as you have been showing from your first verse until today.'' Kiki dimoula is the first woman to occupy the Academy's poetry seat. [32] Finance minister inaugurates book exhibition on globalization and new worldAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)An economic book exhibition on ''Globalization and the New World'', as well as photographic material from the Athens News Agency's (ANA) archives, opened on Tuesday and will remain open at the Book Arcade until November 15, at the initiative of the Educational Society.The exhibition was inaugurated by Finance and Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis who referred to the composite dynamic of globalization which no one can reverse, as he said, but there is the possibility of it being improved and changed to enable it to become more beneficial and useful. Christodoulakis said joint action is necessary at a global level, a kind of international ''social contract'' which will ensure that the developing countries will not be the victims of uncontrolled deregulation but can prepare themselves to handle the opportunities and risks entailed by their accession to the international system. ANA general director and board president Andreas Christodoulides inaugurated the photographic exhibition on globalization. The photographs displayed at the exhibition were provided by the agency. Addressing the event, Christodoulides said globalization ''will seal the century and we shall live with it regardless of its final shape''. He said globalization in the mass media is not a recent phenomenon, adding that news agencies had been the main levers of globalization for many years. Christodoulides said news agencies not only function on a global level, but also function globally in the production and distribution of conscience through the socialization of news in ways which considerably affect the understanding and utilization of problems. The inauguration of the exhibition was followed by a conference on globalization, opened by professor George Bambiniotis, president of the Educational Society and rector of the Athens University. Bambiniotis referred to the initiative by the Book Arcade to hold the economic book exhibition on globalization which, as he said, has been determining developments in geostrategic, geo-economics and political functioning all over the world over the past 10 years with its many uses and the unfavorable affects of many of its applications which are creating crucial problems in modern-day social reality. [33] International conference on 'Erotokritos' poem organized on CreteAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)The first international conference on Crete's classic epic poem "Erotokritos" is to take place at the Iraklion Municipal Library on November 13-15, organized by the Department of Literature at the University of Crete.The conference is billed as one of the most important events in Cretan and modern Greek studies generally and will feature 30 announcements by scholars of the poem on issues concerning the intertextual dialogue developed by the author Vitsentzos Kornaros and his literary forerunners, as well as analyses of relationships within the text that made it one of the most popular literary works of modern Greek history. Among the speakers will be Wim Bekker, Roderick Beaton, David Holton, Stefanos Kaklamanis, Mihalis Lasithiotakis, Yiannis Mavromatis, Ulrick Moennig, Mihail Paschalis, Dia Phillippaes, Grigoris Sifakis and others. [34] Europarliament of the Handicapped meets in BrusselsBRUSSELS, 12/11/2003 (ANA/A. Simatos)The European Parliament of the Handicapped on Tuesday ratified a declaration calling on European leaders to include in the European constitution provisions mandating that EU legislative regulations against discrimination of people with handicaps be approved by a special majority vote.The plenum of this special Europarliament which met in the building of the Europarliament here, was also addressed by Greek European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou. [35] Italian businessman claims being robbed of jewelry worth one million eurosAthens, 12/11/2003 (ANA)An Italian businessman reported in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Tuesday that an unidentified man snatched jewelry from his car worth one million euros.According to the report by F.R., who participated as an exhibitor in the international exhibition ''Kosmima 2003'' currently taking place in the city, he parked his car in Constantine Karamanlis street and got out to buy cigarettes from a kiosk, when an unidentified man who had evidently been following him opened the car's door and took a briefcase lying on a seat which contained jewelry and precious stones worth, as he said, one million euros. [36] President insists on implementation of ECHR decisionLARNACA, 12/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said on Tuesday that the government insists on the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights decision in the Titina Loizidou case.President Papadopoulos replied negatively to a question whether there was anything new regarding Wednesday's expiration of the fortnight deadline given to Turkey by the Council of Europe to comply with the decision in the Loizidou case. ''Our position is clear and concrete. We want the implementation of the decision without terms or commitments'', he said. In 1998, the Court ordered Turkey to pay some 900.000 dollars in compensation to Loizidou for loss of use of her property, occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, and told Ankara to allow Greek Cypriot Loizidou access to her property for peaceful enjoyment. Turkey has said it is ready to pay the money to Loizidou but it is not willing to allow Loizidou access to her property, an obligation Turkey has to meet as part of the ruling. Invited to comment on statements by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul that Turkey intended to take an initiative to solve the Cyprus problem after the so-called parliamentary elections in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic, President Papadopoulos said he hoped this would happen as long as the initiative ''is in the context of the UN and under the auspices of the UN Secretary General''. President Papadopoulos said he fully agreed with recent statements by European Commissioner on Enlargement Gunter Verheugen that the EU had sent a clear message to Turkey regarding its accession prospects. ''This is a significant policy statement that I believe can have very positive consequences and developments on the Cyprus problem, and we must be very happy because this policy of ours was adopted by the EU and indeed from Mr. Verheugen'', the president added. [37] Fratini says all must comply with ECHR decisionsNICOSIA, 12/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Fratini said on Monday that there was no way a country could not comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).The Italian minister, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, noted that he himself would be raising the issue of the compensation the Court awarded in the Titina Loizidou case during the meeting of the Italian presidency with Turkish officials this week in Rome. According to a press release issued by Cyprus' Democratic Rally (DISY) party, Fratini was replying to a question put forward by DISY MP Panayiotis Demetriou, who was representing the party's parliamentary group at the European People's Party meeting of parliamentary representatives in Brussels. Demetriou reported Turkey's stance in the Loizidou case and noted that it was a matter of principle for the Italian presidency to maintain a steadfast position so that the Court's decisions would be unconditionally observed. He reminded the meeting that he had sent a relevant letter to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and asked Fratini to discuss the issue with Berlusconi so that the Italian presidency would promote the implementation of the Court's decision. Fratini noted that there was no way that a country could not comply with the Court's decisions and said the Italian presidency was working and would continue to work in this direction. He added that he would raise the Titina Loizidou issue at a meeting the Italian presidency will have later this week with Turkish officials visiting Rome. [38] Greek Alternate Foreign Minister to visit CyprusNICOSIA, 12/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Tassos Yiannitsis arrives in Cyprus on November 13 for a two-day visit in the context of the regular meetings between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries.During his stay on the island, Yiannitsis will be received by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, and will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Iacovou, Harmonization Coordinator Takis Hadjidemetriou, leaders of parliamentary parties and the members of the House European Affairs Committee. During his meetings, Yiannitsis will discuss recent developments in the Cyprus problem within the EU and internationally, in order to better coordinate the positions of Nicosia and Athens. He will also discuss ways for better coordination, transfer of knowledge in EU matters, current EU affairs and matters of bilateral cooperation. On concluding his visit, Yiannitsis will meet with the press. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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