Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece submits Stability and Growth Program for 2004/06

[02] Simitis, Verhofstadt discuss European defense policy, Iraq

[03] FM says Geneva initiative ‘one more opportunity for peace’ in Middle East

[04] Greek Parliamentary delegation at 'Geneva Initiative'

[05] Finmin to meet Turkish premier on Tuesday

[06] Gov't denies NATO 'umbrella' for Olympics security

[07] European DMs try to appease Rumsfeld on European defense developments

[08] Gov't denies any link between 'Baltic Sky' and Istanbul explosions

[09] Main opposition says gov't farm policy 'lacks direction'

[10] Gov't on recent political developments

[11] PM's schedule for the week

[12] PM Simitis sends messages of condolences to Spanish, Japanese counterparts

[13] ND leader airs possibility of Athens mayor becoming minister after Olympics

[14] Bank deposit growth to exceed economic growth rate in Greece, report says

[15] Reconstructed Minoan-era ship launched from Hania, Crete

[16] Greece eager to see Mediterranean natgas network

[17] Hellenic Petroleum in alliance with Libyan oil group

[18] Rolling strike in Olympic Airways to ground more flights

[19] Cooperation between Crete and Sicily agreed

[20] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

[21] Calatrava, gov't promise OAKA roof ready on time

[22] Stephanopoulos hails 90th anniversary of Crete's union with Greece

[23] Week of events for disabled begins in Athens

[24] President and former Cypriot president honor Eleftherios Venizelos foundation

[25] Archbishop Christodoulos concludes visit to Halepi, Syria

[26] Technology park planned for Athens

[27] Interior minister calls NGOs to dialogue on volunteerism

[28] Papadopoulos wishes Turkey shows sincerity in efforts for settlement

[29] FM Iacovou says OSCE states expected to implement ECHR rulings

[30] CoE SG: Turkey to pay unconditionally damages in Loizidou case

[31] Greek public order minister in Cyprus for official visit

[01] Greece submits Stability and Growth Program for 2004/06

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

The program forecasts a reduction of the country's fiscal deficit to 1.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product, and a public debt at 98.5 percent of GDP in 2004.

Greece's stability program is focusing on reducing public debt, balancing the state budget and boosting both the country's gross domestic product and investments.

The program forecasts a 4.2 percent growth rate in 2004, a 4.0 percent growth in 2005 and a 3.8 percent in 2006. Investments are expected to exceed 25 percent of GDP in the next three years, while private consumption is projected to grow by more than 3.0 percent over the same period.

Public debt is projected at 98.5 percent of GDP (it currently exceeds 100 percent) in 2004, at 94.6 percent in 2005 and 90.5 percent in 2006.

Greece's fiscal deficit is forecast to fall to 1.2 percent of GDP in 2004, 0.5 percent in 2005 and recording a 46-mln-euro surplus in 2006.

The consumer price index is expected to fall to 3.0 percent next year, from 3.5 percent in 2003, falling to 2.8 percent in 2005 and 2.6 percent in 2006.

Unemployment is forecast at 8.5 percent in 2004, 8.0 percent in 2005 and 7.0 percent in 2006.

The stability program integrates the so-called alternative second scenario, based on a supposition that the world economy will grow with a slower rate compared with recent forecasts made by international organizations.

Under this scenario, economic growth rate would not exceed 3.3 percent in the next three years, while the country's public debt would total 93.5 percent of GDP in 2006, the program said.

Greece's stability program is based on the assumption that world economic growth would reach 4.0 percent in 2004 and 4.6 percent in the next two years, while international oil prices would fall to 25.6 US dollar per barrel (from 28.3 dollars this year) and to 24 dollars in 2005 and 2006. It is also based on a forecast that the euro/US dollar exchange rate would stabilize around 1.16 dollars in 2004, 1.15 dollars in 2005 and 2006, and that interest rates will rise in the European Union over the same period.

[02] Simitis, Verhofstadt discuss European defense policy, Iraq

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

Speaking during a joint press conference and in reference to the EU’s stance vis-à-vis Iraq, Simitis said the EU operates on the basis of certain rules, while citing the lack of unanimity by EU members over the issue.

On his part, Verhofstadt said plans for a European defense are a major step forward, adding that the creation of an independent command demonstrates the need for the Union to retain a certain ability to plan and implement operations.

He also said he favored a 50 percent majority of members along with a 60 percent majority of the population for (mostly foreign policy) decision-making in the Union, saying a greater percentage would simply create a minority bloc able to impede decisions.

Simitis said Athens believes in a European defense in close cooperation with NATO, adding that his government considers the proposal emanating from a weekend summit in Naples for joint cooperation within the framework of defense reforms as very positive.

Moreover, he termed the entire gamut of decisions taken by the Council of Ministers during their Naples meeting as positive. Outstanding issues, however, are European defense and the level of majority vote that will be necessary for making decisions.

EU's Prodi, Belgian and Greek PMs address event at Athens Concert Hall: Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, European Commission President Romano Prodi and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday evening addressed an event on the occasion of the inauguration of the conference centre, housed at the Concert Hall, on the theme ''The future of Europe''.

Verhofstadt expressed, in a teasing manner, his ''concern'' that with projects being inaugurated in Greece the headquarters of Europe will be ... transferred to Athens from Brussels.

Verhofstadt referred to values born in Athens thousands of years ago and which ''we are defending in Europe now'' and stressed the ''unavoidable path towards the United States of Europe which passes through many Rubicons.''

European Commission President Romano Prodi praised ''the reality of modern-day Greece'' in referring to the conference centre.

On the question of upcoming developments in Europe, Prodi called for ''optimism and ambition'' since success in adopting a constitution ''will make us proud and stressed that modern-day Greece lies at the nucleus of developments and is not afraid of struggling for its ideas and its ideals.''

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on his part that Europe ''as a political undertaking succeeded in combining peace, democracy, freedom, prosperity and social justice and must be completed now.''

The prime minister added that ''citizens must participate in the path towards deepening European unification since the common European identity is being created because the citizens want it. Therefore, we must all have the same political vision to share a common destiny to participate in the same prospect of being citizens of the same supranational political union.''

Simitis further said ''The European Union can succeed where national policies are doomed to fail'' and stressed the need ''to strengthen the social and democratic aspect of the EU'' and called for the more effective implementation of EU cultures and Europe's backing in the international system.

''Because our common European home is our option. It was not bequeathed to us and it was not delivered to us. It was born through democratic procedures and we must all realize that we are not discussing the European constitution with the aim of us showing laurels of victory inside our countries. We are discussing it so as to create an effective tool for the problems of tomorrow,'' he said.

[03] FM says Geneva initiative ‘one more opportunity for peace’ in Middle East

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou further said Monday is a day of hope for peace in the Middle East, for the peoples of Israel and Palestine and added that Israelis and Palestinians, personalities having struggled all their life against force and having worked for the peaceful coexistence of the two peoples, proved with the Geneva document that a solution exists, that there is a future and nothing has been lost when peoples mobilize themselves against steadfast views and interests, with respect for the process of dialogue and with bold moves of mutual compromises.

According to the foreign minister, they proved with their effort and the outcome resulting in Geneva that all can stand to gain from seeking a peaceful solution and that the imposition of the one or other view fuels violence and deadlock.

Papandreou also hailed what he termed an important initiative and the Geneva meeting, adding that the Greek people have stood in practice by the side of Israel and Palestine and the Greek government has undertaken initiatives in the recent past at the level of the society of citizens for peace in the Middle East.

[04] Greek Parliamentary delegation at 'Geneva Initiative'

GENEVA 02/12/2003 (ANA/P. Dimitropoulos)

However, Palestinian and Israeli delegates at the peace initiative were concerned over a possible ''response'' to the latest operation by the Israeli armed forces in Ramallah.

Representatives of both sides confided in members of the Greek Parliamentary delegation, who were invited to watch the publicizing of an initiative aimed at promoting and strengthening the peace process in the Middle East, that there is tension on both sides as a result of this event.

Speaking to Deputies Eleftherios Veryvakis (PASOK), Petros Tatoulis (New Democracy) and I. Stergiou (Coalition of the Left), Palestinian and Israeli delegation representatives Kamel Husseini and Orli Doctori said the message they wish to send is that ''a partner exists.''

The same message, together with the phrases ''a plan exists'' and ''peace is possible'' accompanied the specially prepared location where the ''Geneva Initiative'' was presented.

A lighted up olive tree dominating the event was also part of symbolism, while Husseini and Doctori said the tree means peace and the common roots of the two peoples in the region's territory.

''The specific initiative constitutes a new hopeful opportunity for talks to resume again between Israelis and Palestinians,'' said Veryvakis, Tatoulis and Stergiou, adding that a viable and workable solution is based on an independent Palestinian state and a state of Israel in peace with its neighbors.

The ''Geneva Initiative'' does not enjoy the official support of governments in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, while even the concerted plan to solve the problem presented in the Swiss capital contains ''thorns'', the most important being, according to a Palestinian source, the refugees' ''right of return.''

[05] Finmin to meet Turkish premier on Tuesday

ISTANBUL 02/12/2003 (ANA/A.Kourkoulas)

On Monday, Christodoulakis addressed Turkish business executives in Istanbul before flying to Ankara to meet his counterpart

[06] Gov't denies NATO 'umbrella' for Olympics security

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

He noted, however, that Greek authorities would work closely on security issues with other countries, including members of NATO, in the framework of international treaties and agreements.

Floridis said security arrangements were progressing rapidly and that hundreds of police officers of various ranks had been selected to man the various security departments being set up.

He said these departments would help improve coordination and effectiveness in handling organized crime and the so-called petty crimes that disrupted life in communities throughout the country.

[07] European DMs try to appease Rumsfeld on European defense developments

BRUSSELS 02/12/2003 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)

Rumsfeld's statements were made on the occasion of the British-Franco-German initiative to strengthen the European Union's defense capacity, which was discussed by EU foreign ministers in Naples, Italy, over the weekend.

Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stressed the need for relations between NATO and the EU to be smoothed out, following the crisis in Iraq, and the agreement between France, Germany and Britain on the development of Europe's independent military capacity should go ahead, but in a supplementary fashion with the alliance.

''We Europeans, and Greece in particular, believe that the agreement achieved the day before yesterday between France, England and Germany on the development of European defense will move ahead satisfactorily and, primarily, positively regarding the relation with NATO. The concept being shaped is that NATO and the US must not make strong reactions. We shall see this in the coming days or weeks. However, in any case this is a one-way path for us Europeans,'' Papantoniou said.

The defense minister also mentioned that NATO's relations with the EU, as well as the Mediterranean, should constitute a topic of discussion and must be clarified at the alliance's summit in Istanbul in June.

[08] Gov't denies any link between 'Baltic Sky' and Istanbul explosions

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

The minister stressed that there wasn't a shred of evidence to link the ship's cargo and the explosive used during the terror attacks, which was still being examined by Turkish crime labs, nor any witness accounts that linked the two cases.

He said that Greek and Turkish authorities would naturally exchange information within the framework of international treaties and agreements for these issues.

The Comores-flagged motorship ''Baltic Sky'' was seized by Greek authorities in June while traveling through Greek waters with 680 tones of various types of explosives on board.

[09] Main opposition says gov't farm policy 'lacks direction'

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

The two men outlined ND policy for the farming sector and said the government had neglected agriculture, allowing Greek agricultural products to lose value and causing farmer incomes to slide.

An ND agriculture sector delegation began touring areas throughout the country on Monday at the orders of ND Parliamentary group secretary Dimitris Sioufas, to brief farmers on ND positions on agriculture.

[10] Gov't on recent political developments

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

During his regular daily briefing, spokesman Christos Protopapas was also asked a bevy of questions related to mostly domestic political developments, particularly ones over the recent weekend.

He declined comment regarding queries on statements by PASOK deputies Theodoros Pangalos and Mihalis Neonakis. The latter, along with the former director of the defense ministry’s armaments directorate, Yiannis Sbokos, have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction at being excluded from PASOK’s candidate lists for the upcoming election.

Asked about the likelihood of Thessaloniki-area deputy Stelios Papathemelis forming a new party, Protopapas responded that this was “not a major political issue for PASOK,” while adding that PASOK and Papathemelis’ political views were “incompatible” for quite some time.

Papathemelis departed the ruling party last month amid heightened criticism of its leadership.

Finally, he said recent press claims citing tension between PM Costas Simitis and PASOK secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis are merely “hidden desires by (main opposition) New Democracy”.

[11] PM's schedule for the week

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

On Tuesday, Simitis will receive the secretary of the People’s Republic of China’s Communist Party before chairing a Cabinet meeting focusing on the topic of rural development. He will also meet with ruling PASOK party secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis on Tuesday.

The Greek premier will be the guest of honor at a press luncheon hosted by the Foreign Press Association of Greece on Wednesday.

Additionally, Simitis will chair a high-ranking inter-ministerial meeting on the closely watched issue of security for the 2004 Olympic Games later in the day.

Issues related to the merchant marine sector are on the agenda for Thursday.

Meanwhile, the government spokesman on Monday announced that Simitis will depart for Rome on Dec. 9 for talks with the Italian EU presidency, ahead of a Union Summit.

Finally, he will attend a European Council summit in Brussels (Dec. 12-13) before heading to London for a meeting with his British counterpart Tony Blair.

[12] PM Simitis sends messages of condolences to Spanish, Japanese counterparts

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

''On behalf of the Greek government and myself personally I would like to express my profound sadness for the loss of the Spanish soldiers who were victims of an attack in Iraq. I convey to you and the families of the victims my most sincere condolences,'' Simitis said in his message to Aznar.

''Deeply shocked by the tragic loss of the two Japanese diplomats who were the victims of an attack in Iraq, I wish to express on behalf of the Greek government and myself personally my profound condolences to you, to the people of your country and primarily to the families of the victims,'' read the message to Koyzumi.

[13] ND leader airs possibility of Athens mayor becoming minister after Olympics

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

In an interview with the German newspaper ''Suddeutsche Zeitung'', Karamanlis mentions that when Bakoyianni fulfils her specific duty (at the municipality of Athens) ND is expecting her participation in every field in the party, in the government.

Asked whether Bakoyianni will undertake the foreign ministry, Karamanlis said he will decide when the people will entrust him with power.

[14] Bank deposit growth to exceed economic growth rate in Greece, report says

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

National Bank's analysts predict that time deposits and repurchase agreements would grow by around 5.0 percent by the end of 2004, with the loans/deposits ratio rising to 90 percent from 78 percent in the second quarter of 2003.

The Greek economy is growing with rates exceeding 4.0 percent, although private sector deposits (including repos) are slowing significantly in the last 18 months and are almost stable in the last nine months. Bank deposits' growth, both in the same period and in the last five years, is exceeding economic growth rate by around 3.5 percentage points in the Eurozone. Despite the recent slowdown, bank deposits in Greece, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, remained higher from the eurozone (80 percent and 70 percent, respectively), the report said.

This figure contradicts a view that the Greek economy was highly dependent on domestic liquidity.

Time deposits and repurchase agreement accounted for a significantly higher percentage of GDP in Greece compared with the eurozone (20.5 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively), although this category of investment was more sensitive to competition by other composite savings products, such as mutual funds. Mutual funds accounted for 41 percent of GDP in the eurozone compared with 19.7 percent in Greece.

A steady decline in domestic interest rates led to a high growth rate in borrowing and to a decline in non-basic bank deposits, the report said.

[15] Reconstructed Minoan-era ship launched from Hania, Crete

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

The ship was built at the old Venetian Shipyards in Hania using techniques developed by the Minoans 3,500 years ago, making it the most ancient type of ship produced by a European civilization that is currently known.

It was built of cypress logs tied together with ropes and driven by oars, while its construction took nearly three years from planning to completion, having started in February 2001. The project was carried out by the Crete Naval Museum in collaboration with the Institute for Research into Ancient Shipbuilding and Technology ''Navdomos'', which directed the program, the research and the building of the ship.

Monday's launch was included in a series of events to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Crete's Union with Greece, attended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides.

The predecessor of the Minoan ship is believed to be a flat raft, which was gradually curved to create a hull and made watertight with the use of material on its outer surface. Research pointed to a primarily oar-powered ship, assisted by simple sails in a secondary capacity, while the hull was built of split cypress logs tied together with ropes.

The internal layout of the ship, combined with its ergonomics and the anthropometry of its crew, creates a hydrodynamic, tear-shaped vessel about 17 meters long and four meters wide that was well adapted to navigating the Aegean Sea, where the original chiefly traveled.

The prototype was designed using 3-D digital modeling techniques, while the next stage was to build a solid model made of five-meter cypress logs that simulated the entire process and whether the final result would be sea-worthy.

Actual construction of the ship began in December 2002 by a local traditional shipyard.

The ''Minos'' will now go on a few short test trips in spring 2004 for the final technical adjustments and to allow the crew to become familiar with its use. After the testing phase, the first main experimental trip from Crete to Attica will begin in the summer of 2004, in order to test the correctness of the entire research approach.

The voyage is expected to take at least 16-17 days using oars, rowing only during daylight hours and near to the shore at all times. It will travel from western Crete and along the coast of the eastern Peloponnese toward the Saronic Gulf and Piraeus.

The Crete Naval Museum hopes that the ''Minos'' will be able to participate in the program of events during the Olympic Games in 2004 and that it will bear the Olympic Torch during the last part of its journey.

After the trip to Attica, the ship will become the main exhibit in a permanent exhibition on ancient and traditional shipbuilding to be set up at Hania's Venetian Shipyards, from where it will be loaned to events and exhibition in Greece and abroad.

[16] Greece eager to see Mediterranean natgas network

ROME 02/12/2003 (ANA / L.Hatzikyriakos)

''Greece is equally interested in a pipeline to link Turkey, the Balkan countries and Austria and one to link Greece and Italy as well as the Burgas (Bulgaria) and Alexandroupolis oil pipeline,'' Tsohatzopoulos told reporters in the Italian capital.

He was speaking after a meeting of Euro-Mediterranean energy ministers.

[17] Hellenic Petroleum in alliance with Libyan oil group

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

The agreement was signed in Tripoli on Sunday.

Other companies taking part are Woodside Energy of Australia with a 45 per cent stake; Repsol of Spain with 35 per cent; and Hellenic with a 20 percent share.

The cost of the investment is estimated at more than 110 million US dollars.

[18] Rolling strike in Olympic Airways to ground more flights

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

Other flights are to be merged employing larger aircraft, with some passengers redirected to other airlines.

The attendants are protesting against the government's plan to form a new airline from Olympic through privatization.

[19] Cooperation between Crete and Sicily agreed

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

Karountzos had the opportunity the hold talks with representatives of the corresponding local and regional authorities of the northern and southern coast of the Mediterranean and expound on the prerequisites for future cooperation.

Specifically, with the president of the region of Sicily, E. Cuffaro, who co-organized with the Italian Presidency the conference, agreement was reached for a delegation of the Regional Government of Sicily to visit Crete in order for details for bilateral cooperation between Crete and Sicily to be reached in the sectors of culture, tourism, agriculture, agro-industry and transport.

The visit by the delegation from Sicily is expected within the first half of 2004.

[20] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)

Traders said the domestic market showed signs of "fatigue" after last week's rally.

The general index fell 0.28 percent to end at 2,163.93 points, with turnover a moderate 103.5 million euros.

The Textile, Wholesale and Telecommunications sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.19 percent, 0.90 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively), while the Industrial (1.93 percent), Holdings (1.18 percent) and Base Metals (1.02 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell by 0.29 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.10 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.43 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 158 to 131 with another 68 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 53.6 million euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: