Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cabinet approves 2004 budget

[02] Opposition parties criticize draft budget for 2004

[03] FM Papandreou discusses Cyprus problem with US secretary of state

[04] President receives visiting Croatian counterpart

[05] Stephanopoulos says conditions favorable for Greece, Croatia

[06] Alternate FM says Albanian government's intentions will be judged by its deeds

[07] Gov't spokesman on PM's letter to PASOK deputies

[08] PASOK Eurodeputy calls on Turkey to ''reject path to tyranny''

[09] AEKA and PASOK announce an alliance in the next elections

[10] Greece, Turkey begin 19th round of exploratory talks in Athens

[11] Florakis marks 85th anniversary of KKE

[12] Patriarch Vartholomeos receives visiting Archbishop of Canterbury

[13] Loverdos represents Athens at EU session on development aid

[14] Tourist exchange inflows down 10 pct in Greece, report says

[15] Civil servants to strike on November 20

[16] Gov't mulling EU funds for natural gas connection

[17] Gov't announces measures to improve shipping

[18] Avsec World 2003 begins in Athens

[19] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

[20] ATHOC chief, education minister tour 'Selete' Olympic press village

[21] French ambassador meets with ATHOC president

[22] First transplant using artificial heart as 'bridge' carried out in Greece

[23] Ecumenical Patriarch to inaugurate first Orthodox Christian church in Cuba

[24] PM visits center for the rehabilitation of the blind

[25] Earthquake jolts Patras

[26] Culture minister and Greek Israelite Council president discuss Jewish monuments

[27] Suspects in Polytechnic march violence arraigned

[28] Repatriated Greek from Russia arrested in heroin bust

[29] French embassy honors Greek fire-fighting airmen

[30] Turkish Cypriot ''opposition'' leaders meet Pat Cox

[01] Cabinet approves 2004 budget

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, addressing the cabinet meeting, stressed that next year's budget was a step of a multi-year effort that overturned a ''view'' currently spreading in the country that economic growth would end after the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The Greek minister noted that investments would not only continue but would probably focus on more productive sectors in the country.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that opposition parties would try to create a climate of uncertainty over the economy and the government's budget and noted that the budget would be approved by the parliament.

Mr. Simitis, addressing the cabinet meeting, noted that the government would emphasize on the real picture of the economy, highlighting a prevailing positive climate and confidence in the Greek economy.

The 2004 budget, presented to the General Accounts Office by Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, envisages a growth rate of 4.2 percent next year from 4.0 percent in 2003, reflecting an expected 7.0 percent rise in investments.

The budget also forecasts increases in exports of goods and services, a drop in the unemployment rate to 8.0 percent (from 9.0 percent currently), a 2.5 percent increase in productivity and a 3.4 percent rise in real wages.

Inflation is forecast to fall to 2.5 percent in 2004 from an expected 3.0 percent rate this year.

The budget envisages that investments will rise by 7.0 percent in 2004, 5.7 percent in 2005 and 5.5 percent in 2006, while exports of goods and services will increase by 6.7 percent, 5.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, over the same period.

Unemployment is forecast to fall to 8.0 percent of the workforce in 2004, 7.4 percent in 2005 and 7.0 percent in 2006.

The public investments program is projected to rise by 7.6 percent next year from 2003, to 9.250 billion euros from 8.6 billion euros, respectively, with emphasis to be given in funding projects and actions included in a Third Community Support Framework program.

The government has earmarked 3.98 billion euros for the construction of Olympic Games projects, compensation for natural disasters and supporting a new development law.

The energy sector will be the champion in government spending next year, with public investments projected to rise by 93.5 percent, followed by culture (an increase of 54.2 percent) and civil administration (a rise of 64.8 percent).

Next year's budget also envisages a fiscal stability, with reducing deficits to 1.2 percent of GDP and cutting the country's public debt to 98.5 percent of GDP. The budget also forecasts a 3.2 percent increase in private consumption, bringing the country closer with the rest of the European Union (average wage at 84 percent of the average community, social spending at 28 percent of GDP from 27.3 percent in the EU).

The budget also envisages lower interest spending to 22 percent of tax revenues in 2004 from 23 percent this year and 37 percent in 1998.

Greece's net fiscal surplus from its transactions with the European Union is projected at 5.386 billion euros in 2004 from an expected surplus of 4.241 billion euros this year, a figure revised downwards from initial forecast of 5.653 billion euros.

The budget envisages that Greece's contributions to the EU would total 1.65 billion euros next year.

[02] Opposition parties criticize draft budget for 2004

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

Main opposition New Democracy economy spokesman George Alogoskoufis said the government had presented as the draft budget an earlier preliminary draft that parliament had criticized; discussion on the original draft was allowed for the sake of appearances.

''It is the most unreliable draft budget in past years,'' Alogoskoufis said, underlining that it is confirmed that the government's fiscal policy was literally up in the air.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) press office chief Makis Mailis said: ''Given that the government's policy is oriented towards the EMU and the euro, the budget could only work against the people.''

''Meeting modern-day needs of the people requires a popular alliance against the plutocracy, its parties and the EU to enable the country's wealth to become the property of the people,'' Mailis added.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology economy spokesman Dimitris Papadimoulis claimed that the new budget was based on one-sided sacrifices and strong doses of creative accounting.

He said the 2004 budget perpetuated inadequate financing and social deficits, which dealt a blow at education, health, social protection and the environment; perpetuated tax injustices; and maintained exorbitant expenditure on armaments.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said: ''It can be deduced from this budget that our country is over indebted, despite major long-term sacrifices by Greek citizens. In order to tackle the high deficit and the public debt, taxes are being increased considerably and the social salary is being reduced in real terms.''

Tsovolas further said problems in the Greek economy should be resolved employing an aggressive development and production oriented policy accompanied by employment and social protection.

PM warns Cabinet to anticipate ND's attack on the 2004 budget: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday warned the Cabinet to expect a strong attack on the government's 2004 budget from main opposition New Democracy, predicting that ND would intensify efforts to have the budget ''annulled''.

Outlining the premier's comments during the cabinet debate on the budget, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Simitis had stressed the importance of a good climate for the economy and accused ND of attempting to create a climate of insecurity through false arguments.

Pre-empting the doomsayers, Simitis noted that the hallmark of an economy in trouble was recession, whereas the Greek economy had high rates of growth.

''We recognize that there are delays but our work is marked by reliability and we can therefore look to the future with optimism,'' he added.

The prime minister also listed (and countered in advance) the tactics that he said the main opposition was likely to adopt in order to discredit the government's performance on the economic front, such as questioning the figures presented by the government and pointing to divergent estimates by the European Commission, claiming that a recession would follow the Olympic Games and claiming that Greece ranked last within Europe in crucial economic indices.

Parliament to debate budget for 2004 on December 18-22: Parliament is to debate the government's budget for 2004 on December 18-22, parliament officials said on Tuesday.

Discussion of the budget by parliament's standing committee will begin on November 26, the officials said.

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis sent the budget to parliament earlier in the day.

[03] FM Papandreou discusses Cyprus problem with US secretary of state

BRUSSELS, 19/11/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

He stressed that over the next few months, in light of the EU's enlargement and the accession of Cyprus the problem is going through a critical phase, which could be utilized for its resolution.

Commenting on Powell's reports on intra-Atlantic relations, Papandreou referred to the effort for bridging the gap between the United States and the European Union following the objections of many European countries concerning the war in Iraq and the satisfaction felt by the EU over the American decision to transfer the governance of the country to the Iraqis by June.

Papandreou underlined the capability of the EU to contribute to the strengthening of the institutions in Iraq, while he made special mention of the ''psychological and substantial'' connection of the developments in Baghdad with the peacemaking process in the Middle East, which must continue ''for the interest of the whole region''.

Concerning Iran, Colin Powell appeared very cautious of the Iranians' intentions, maintaining his distance from the Europeans, while expressing many objections over the development of the European defense system, saying that NATO should be the base for the EU's security policy.

He added that the terms of a ''structured cooperation'' and ''mutual assistance'' in connection to NATO should be clarified. These terms are included in the draft European Constitution.

Powell objected to the term ''pole'', which as he said alludes to a conflict with one or more ''poles'', calling the US-EU relationship a partnership, which demands continual exchange of views.

Earlier in the day, the council of EU ministers, in its morning session, discussed issues, now tabled at the Intergovernmental conference, focusing on the decision making processes of the EU in the future.

The ministers decided that the permanent foreign minister of the EU who would also be the vice-president of the European Commission, would have to resign both posts should the Commission resign. They also decided to finalize decisions on the European defense system, which are included in the European Constitution, during bilateral meetings, in which Greece will participate.

[04] President receives visiting Croatian counterpart

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

Croatia officially applied to join the EU in April, during the Greek EU presidency.

The two presidents reconfirmed the harmonious bilateral relations between their two countries and Stephanopoulos expressed his satisfaction at the European orientation of Croatia and other Balkan states.

The Greek president also referred to efforts to normalize relations between Croatia and Serbia and the countries of the former Yugoslavia, as well as the need to stabilize Bosnia-Herzegovina.

During the meeting, the two men discussed the Ionian Route, which will join Eastern Europe and the Balkans with the rest of Europe.

On his part, Mesic thanked Greece for its support of EU enlargement and pledged that his country will continue to make every possible effort to harmonize domestic laws with those of the Community.

The Croatian president also stressed the need for the return of Croats to their country, which had already begun efforts for reconstruction and could guarantee both their safety and the return of their property.

Mesic further noted that Croatia, in collaboration with the European Court at The Hague, was seeking to bring those responsible for war crimes to justice and to ''rid Croatia of the blanket responsibility that has been attributed to it''.

[05] Stephanopoulos says conditions favorable for Greece, Croatia

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

He added that talks he had in Athens with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic confirmed the excellent level of Greek-Croatian relations.

The president hosted an official dinner in honor of President Mesic on Tuesday night and in a toast referred to the EU's ''steadfast desire'' for peace and cooperation to prevail in the Balkans.

President Stephanopoulos also said the assessment of Croatia's application for EU accession, an application received during the Greek EU presidency, has already begun and the Commission's opinion is expected early next year.

He hailed Croatia's efforts ''to turn the page, which registered the extremely unpleasant events of the previous decade and to turn to the future.''

The president further noted that ''for the international community the need for those accused of perpetrating war crimes to be brought before international justice is imperative.''

''Bringing suspects before justice and investigating their acts, in accordance with the law, constitute basic elements of a state of law, while the completion of this process will lift the shadow hovering in our region once and for all and will give yet another example of the final break with the past and the compliance of all with European values,'' he added.

The president also hailed the UN's resolution regarding the Olympic Truce and said the path to peace is achieved with mutual understanding, respect and cooperation between different traditions, religions and cultures and the Olympic Truce reminds us of all the above values and seeks their practical implementation.

Parliament president and Croatian president

discuss cooperation: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday discussed cooperation between Greece and Croatia and the development of friendly relations between all countries in southeastern Europe.

Kaklamanis said ''the two countries are already cooperating and their relations can become more productive'', adding that Greece supports Croatia's application for European Union accession.

Mesic extended his appreciation for Greece's support for his country's course towards the EU and expressed optimism that Croatia will meet all of the EU's preconditions until 2007.

He also focused on the importance of the two countries being linked through rail and road networks, which Croatia will complete by 2008, such as the Adriatic and Ionian motorway.

[06] Alternate FM says Albanian government's intentions will be judged by its deeds

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

An announcement by the foreign ministry said that Yiannitsis, in his meeting with the Albanian ambassador underlined ''the responsibilities the Albanian government has on the way the elections are held and the fulfillment of its obligations, emanating from the Stabilization and Association Process and Albania's European prospects, regarding democratic institutions, the election process and the protection of the Greek ethnic minority's rights.''

Zeneli conveyed a message to the Greek government from Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano which, according to a relevant foreign ministry announcement, mentions that the Albanian government and the prime minister personally desire the maintenance of the present-day very good level of bilateral relations.

On the question of the events taking place in Himarra, Albania, the Albanian ambassador notified Athens that Nano instructed the public order and interior ministers, as well Albania's district attorney, to conduct an immediate investigation and to hold those responsible to account.

Zanily told the Greek minister the Albanian government recognizes that it must continue its efforts in the direction of the smooth functioning of democratic institutions and procedures.

However, Yiannitsis expressed the Greek government's disappointment over the Albanian government's stance concerning the disturbances in Himarra, despite continuous messages sent to Nano by both the European Union and Greece in many meetings which had taken place between the leadership and the representatives of the two foreign ministries.

Yiannitsis also reminded the Albanian side that Monday's discussion at the General Affairs Council on the events in Himarra is unbreakably linked to the EU's clear warning to Albania, as set out in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council on September 29.

''The Council stressed that the smooth holding of fair local elections in October constitutes part of the process of Albania's rapprochement with the EU.''

[07] Gov't spokesman on PM's letter to PASOK deputies

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

“It is reasonable that all of us (PASOK deputies) make our position clear, and that this procedure must be completed ... we all knew beforehand that some deputies did not want, for professional or other reasons, to again be candidates,” spokesman Christos Protopapas said.

His statements come on the heels of Monday’s official resignation from PASOK Parliament group’s of long-time Thessaloniki-area MP Stelios Papathemelis, a one-time minister as well. Papathemelis criticized the ruling party’s leadership, stressing that he will not resign from his seat and “will not go home”.

Another Thessaloniki-area deputy with PASOK, Kyriakos Spiriounis, also said he was abandoning the ruling party.

In other comments on Tuesday, Protopapas said that if a “deputy that does not want to run again in the election, that does not mean that he doesn’t back the government and is not working for PASOK. There is complete stability … we’re looking to the future and no one is disputing PASOK, with the exception of Mr. Papathemelis.”

[08] PASOK Eurodeputy calls on Turkey to ''reject path to tyranny''

STRASBOURG, 19/11/2003 (ANA/O. Tsipira)

Katiforis, who heads the ruling PASOK party delegation of Eurodeputies in Brussels, made the statement in light of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan in the occupied north of the Cyprus Republic last Saturday.

He also said that such actions did not create optimism concerning the resolution of the Cyprus problem, nor for Turkey's accession to the European Union.

''Erdogan expressed, with his visit to the occupied parts, his support to an illegal regime, which Turkey and the Turkish forces have created and maintain, despite the directives of the European Union and the International community,'' Katiforis said.

He also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul, saying that Turkey has the right to pride itself for the fact that during the Middle Ages it provided a safe heaven for the persecuted Jews.

[09] AEKA and PASOK announce an alliance in the next elections

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

The announcement was accompanied by a joint statement read out immediately after a meeting on Tuesday between an AEKA delegation headed by AEKA leader and current PASOK minister Nikos Bistis and a delegation headed by PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

[10] Greece, Turkey begin 19th round of exploratory talks in Athens

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

[11] Florakis marks 85th anniversary of KKE

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

In a message marking the 85th anniversary of the KKE, Florakis said that the establishment of such a popular alliance would abide all be in the interests of the people themselves, and expressed optimism for the future.

"We are optimistic about the future. The end of history has not come, nor will it come. The world in which we live can change, and it will change. We are certain of that," the veteran communist leader said.

Florakis, who served as party leader from 1972 to 1989, said one could only feel pride when looking back on the KKE's "85 years of patriotic activity, its actions for peace, bread, national independence, popular sovereignty".

In the country's modern history, he said, there was not a single social or democratic conquest to which the KKE had not contributed.

[12] Patriarch Vartholomeos receives visiting Archbishop of Canterbury

ISTANBUL, 19/11/2003 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Addressing Vartholomeos on Monday, Dr. Williams said it was a matter of great importance to him that he should visit the Patriarchate in his first year as Archbishop of Canterbury “as a sign of my commitment and that of the Anglican Communion to the full visible unity of Christ's Church. It gives me great joy to follow my recent predecessors in making this pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

After being received by Vartholomeos, he held talks with the Patriarchate's Synodic Committee on Inter-Christian Issues, in the presence of the Patriarchate's representative in Britain and Pergamos Metropolitan Ioannis, co-chair of the Mixed Committee for Orthodox-Anglican Theological Dialogue.

Patriarch Vartholomeos attends funeral service

for synagogue bomb victims

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Tuesday attended the funeral service for the victims of weekend bomb attacks against synagogues in Istanbul, alongside representatives of other religions and Churches, government ministers and local government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of Jewish communities throughout the world.

The service was carried out at Istanbul's Jewish cemetery by the city's Chief Rabbi, while the coffins of the six victims were covered in the Turkish flag.

The Greek government was represented by the general director for international economic cooperation Dimitris Dollis, who later also visited the hospitals where surviving victims of the attacks are being treated.

[13] Loverdos represents Athens at EU session on development aid

BRUSSELS, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

Aid towards stabilizing sub-Saharan Africa, especially support of cotton-growing countries -- totaling up to 250 million euros -- dominated the session.

According to reports, Spain and Greece argued against a commitment by the Council that would cause a reduction in the amount of subsidies for EU cotton growers.

[14] Tourist exchange inflows down 10 pct in Greece, report says

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

The Institute, reflecting the views of the private tourist sector, stressed that "the country's tourist economic confirmed a trend prevailing in the last few decades of decoupling its growth rates from international trends".

With tourist exchange inflows falling by 10 percent, Greece is "making a disastrous backward step at a time when its competitors continue developing, although with a slower pace", the Institute said. ITEP stressed that a decline in tourist exchange inflows was much more painful since tourist arrivals fell by 2.0 percent.

This large divergence between tourist arrivals and tourist exchange inflows rates showed that Greece was attracting lower income class tourists from abroad, the Institute noted.

ITEP criticized the state of being a mere spectator in recent developments and expressed its worries that "the price to be paid will be too heavy for the Greek economy with foreign exchange losses in the period 2002-2003 exceed 2.0 billion euros".

A regional distribution of tourist arrivals in the country showed that all big tourist destinations (Crete, Rhodes, Chalkidiki-Thessaloniki, Corfu) recorded declines ranging between 1.3 percent to 4.3 percent, while tourist arrivals at the country's airports showed a decline of 7.5 percent in September for an average decline of 2.2 percent in the January-September period.

ITEP said it expected tourist exchange inflows to exceed 5.0 percent next year because of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

[15] Civil servants to strike on November 20

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

ADEDY union leader Spyros Papaspyrou told a news conference on Tuesday that the government had shown a lack of credibility in dealing with workers' demands.

One of the main demands is a minimum wage of 1,050 euros and incorporation of allowances into base pay, Papaspyrou said.

[16] Gov't mulling EU funds for natural gas connection

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

The managing director of the Public Gas Company, Mr A. Bakirlis, was speaking at a news conference to announce the Aerion 2003 international trade fair to be held at the Piraeus Port Authority on November 20-23.

[17] Gov't announces measures to improve shipping

Athens, 19/11/2003 (ANA)

Key measures in the package are as follows: