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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-20Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>December 20, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Greece, Cyprus, ranked in top category in annual Freedom of the World reportNEW YORK 20/12/03 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Greece and Cyprus are included in the list of 88 countries, comprising 44 percent of the world population, rated as "Free" in the annual report "Freedom in the World 2004" released Thursday by the non-government, non-partisan organization "Freedom House", which has been issuing the annual report since 1972.The survey concerns protection of political rights and civil liberties in 192 countries for the period of January 1 through November 30, 2003. Greece has been rated in the top category 1 (on a scale of 1 to 7)with respect to protection of political rights and in category 2 with respect to protection of civil liberties, with an average rating of 1.5, presenting no change from the previous year's report. "Protection of democracy and liberties have deep roots in Europe," the report said, noting that 24 countries were rated as "Free", while Turkey, which is also classified in the category "European countries", is the only NATO member state to be rated as "Partly Free", ranking in category 3 with respect to protection of political rights and in category 4 with respect to protection of civil liberties. "In the midst of global terrorism and international efforts to fight it, freedom and democracy continued to make overall progress worldwide in 2003," according to the major annual survey released by Freedom House. The global survey, Freedom in the World, shows that "25 countries demonstrated forward progress in freedom, while 13 registered setbacks. The ratings reflect global events from January 1, 2003 through November 30, 2003". "This year's survey also revealed that freedom and liberty are not restricted to the world's wealthy countries. Many poor and developing nations boast strong records of respect for political rights and civil liberties," the survey said. "Real gains outnumbered setbacks by nearly a two-to-one margin, continuing a trend from last year. In the two years since the beginning of the global war on terrorism, freedom and democracy have made demonstrable gains, with 51 countries showing overall progress versus 27 that have registered setbacks. Most gains, however, have been made in regions from which global terrorism does not normally emanate, such as Central and Eastern Europe and East Asia. Freedom is still lagging in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. "The war on terrorism has led to repression in certain countries and regions, such as in Central Asia, where counter-terrorism is sometimes used to justify the stifling of dissent. But on balance, the world is continuing to move toward greater freedom and democracy. "The largest freedom gap exists in countries with a majority Muslim population, especially in the Arab world. But the survey finds no inexorable link between Islam and political repression. Indeed, it shows that half of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims live under democratically elected governments in countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey According to the survey, 88 countries are Free, representing 2.8 billion people (44 percent of the world's population). Their inhabitants enjoy a broad range of rights. Fifty-five countries are considered Partly Free, representing 1.3 billion people (21 percent). Political rights and civil liberties are more limited in these countries, in which corruption, dominant ruling parties, or, in some cases, ethnic or religious strife are often the norm. The survey finds that 49 countries are Not Free, representing 2.2 billion people (35 percent). Inhabitants of these countries are denied most basic political rights and civil liberties. Of the 25 countries that showed improvements in freedom, Argentina moved from Partly Free to Free, and Burundi and Yemen moved from Not Free to Partly Free. Political rights and civil liberties increased in 22 other countries, although not enough to warrant a category change. Of the 13 countries that registered setbacks, 5 changed categories; Bolivia and Papua New Guinea moved from Free to Partly Free, and Azerbaijan, Central African Republic, and Mauritania moved from Partly Free to Not Free. [02] US state department 2003 report on International Religious Freedoms releasedWASHINGTON 20/12/03 (ANA-T. Ellis)The US State Department on Thursday released its 2003 annual report on International Religious Freedoms, which includes a 12-page country chapter on Greece that presents a positive picture on the situation in the country, although it noted that some religious groups faced difficulties in their operation and in contacts with the authorities.The report, which under US law is tabled in Congress, noted that: ''The Constitution (of Greece) establishes the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ (Greek Orthodoxy) as the ''prevailing'' religion, but also provides for the right of all citizens to practice the religion of their choice; however, while the Government generally respects this right, non-Orthodox groups sometimes face administrative obstacles or encounter legal restrictions on religious practice. The Constitution prohibits proselytizing and stipulates that no rite of worship may disturb public order or offend moral principles. ''There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. ''The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom. Non-Orthodox citizens have complained of being treated with suspicion or told that they were not truly Greek when they revealed their religious affiliation. ''The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights. In the various sections, the report noted that approximately 97 percent of citizens ''identify themselves at least nominally with the Greek Orthodox faith'' and that the Orthodox Church ''exercises significant political and economic influence'', while it also pointed out that the conscientious objector provision in the Constitution and an effective, well-run Ombudsman’s office, which successfully handled an increasing number of cases, fostered government tolerance of minority religions. The report noted an increase in Muslim immigrants to Greece, adding that some 500-800 Old Calendarists, 98,000 Muslims, 50,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, 50,000 Catholics, 30,000 Protestants and 5,000 Jews lived in Greece today. In the country chapter on Israel, the reported noted that: ''The Israeli Government continued to refuse recognition to the duly elected Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Eirinaios I. Eirinaios I was elected in August 2001, and because of the lack of recognition by the Israeli Government has been unable to conclude financial or legal arrangements on behalf of the Patriarchate for the past 2 years. In 2002 the Israeli police confiscated the passport of Archimandrite Attallah Hanna, an Israeli citizen and a priest with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. His passport had not been returned by the end of the period covered by this report.'' In the country chapter on Turkey, the report noted that: ''The authorities continue to monitor the activities of Eastern Orthodox churches but generally do not interfere with their activities. The Government does not recognize the ecumenical authority of the Greek Orthodox (Ecumenical) Patriarch, acknowledging him only as head of the country's Greek Orthodox community; however, the Government does not interfere with his travels or other ecumenical activities. The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul continues to seek to reopen the Halki seminary on the island of Heybeli in the Sea of Marmara. The seminary has been closed since 1971, when the State nationalized all private institutions of higher learning.'' The request for reopening of the Halki seminary is supported by the US government. In the country chapter on Albania, the report noted that: "Representatives of the country's Orthodox Church have noted that some churches and other buildings have been the targets of vandalism; however, these incidents were isolated and believed to be the result of the country's weak public order rather than due to religious intolerance." [03] PM briefs president on 2004 state budget, economyAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Foreign relations, the economic situation in the country and the ongoing Parliament debate on the 2004 state budget dominated Friday’s meeting between President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.Speaking after the meeting at the presidential mansion, Simitis said the debate in Parliament will allow citizens the chance hear, firsthand, political parties’ views concerning the country’s major problems. According to the premier, the 2004 budget is a milestone because it comes in between two periods, as the former featured the primary goal of stabilizing the economy and creating conditions for viable development. He said the upcoming period that begins with next year’s budget will “build” on the achievements of the previous years. Moreover, in citing the government’s intention to increase funding for education and health care, among others social sectors, he directly referred to Athens' desire to cut defense spending. [04] Gov't responds to Turkish PM's statements on Cyprus issueAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Responding to statements made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the Cyprus issue, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Friday noted that recent statements by Turkey's political leadership regarding the Cyprus problem were ''acutely conflicting''.In his response to Thursday's statements by Erdogan earlier in the day, Protopapas noted that these were in the same spirit as past Turkish statements that had led to the present deadlock and warned Turkey that these policies would be an obstacle in its relations with the European Union. ''In all cases, the framework for a solution of the political problem on Cyprus is the Annan plan,'' he stressed, referring to the peace plan presented by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He underlined that all discussions and negotiations will take place on the basis of this plan. ''This is what the EU wants, this is what the entire international community wants, this is the position of the United Nations and, of course, our own,'' Protopapas added. In statements on Thursday prior to his departure for Uzbekistan, the Turkish premier said that the key issue on Turkey's agenda for the Cyprus problem was the ''recognition of the two states'' on the island republic. He was referring to the illegal regime set up in the occupied north of Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey. Speaking in Uzbekistan on Friday, however, Erdogan stressed that it would be a mistake to dismiss the Annan plan outright and that he considered it the basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem on which the sides involved would have to negotiate. At the same time, he noted that failure to find a solution for the island by May 1, when Cyprus is due to officially joins the EU, ''would not be the end of the world''. He also stressed that Turkey would continue to make steps toward finding a solution and that the Turkish-Cypriot side must not be seen to be the one avoiding negotiations. [05] Foreign policy nat'l council focuses on Cyprus, FYROM 'name issue'Athens 20/12/03 (ANA)A session of the national council for foreign policy, chaired by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, on Friday focused on the long-standing Cyprus question and the “name issue” between Athens and its northern neighbor, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).Deputies representing three out of the four parties in Parliament, sans KKE, attended the meeting, along with the chairman of the House’s foreign affairs and defense committee, Karolos Papoulias. [06] ND leader distances himself from Mitsotakis call for austerity policyAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday said his party would adopt a developmental policy if it came into power and stressed that the only people that would be asked to ''tighten their belts'' would be ministers and those in charge of state-owned public utilities.He was responding indirectly to statements by former premier and honorary ND president Constantine Mitsotakis, who said that any party that came into power after the next elections would be forced to adopt strict austerity measures due to the poor state of the economy. Karamanlis said it was laughable for the government to claim that his party had a "secret program" and stressed that he had no intention of taking in the voters with false promises. He also reiterated plans for a full public finances audit and said that he would begin with the same budget which would later have to be reviewed. [07] Karamanlis on possible leadership change at PASOKAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday stressed that the possibility of a leadership change in the ruling PASOK is of no interest to his party.“We’re not interested, let them decide with whom they want to lose the elections. Nothing will change,” he said. Moreover, the ND president said “everyone is responsible”, reiterating that the problem is with the government, the reason ND has called for early elections since June. Karamanlis spoke at a luncheon hosted for journalists. [08] Samaras visits defense minister for briefing on NATO developmentsAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras visited National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou at the defense ministry on Friday to be briefed on developments concerning NATO and its relations with the European Union.Asked on his departure whether he would be a candidate in the next elections and whether there was any rapprochement with main opposition New Democracy, Samaras said that he would discuss these issues ''at the appropriate time''. Samaras' party did not participate in the last parliamentary elections. [09] Coalition find MRB poll results positive for Leftist allianceAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party on Friday said the overwhelming majority of its voters, or 78.4 per cent, were in favor of attempts for an alliance of Leftist parties, according to the results of a recent opinion poll conducted by MRB.The same poll found that 50.1 per cent of Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voters and 34.4 per cent of ruling PASOK voters also took a favorable view of such an alliance. [10] Central bank chief urges tighter internal controls by banksAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)Central bank governor Nikos Garganas said on Friday that banks needed to adopt tighter internal controls to help ward off risk from the pressure of competition.''A rise in shareholders' capital of banks does not remove the need for improvement in policy and internal control systems in order to avert erosion from elastic policy and, mainly, inadequate assessment of risk from competition,'' said the head of the Bank of Greece. Outlining ramifications of the new Basle pact, Garganas said its implementation at the end of 2006 would require major effort and funding, both by banks and by regulatory authorities. ''In a period of economic deceleration, the banks would be compelled to further restrict lending. Again, in a rising phase, credit institutions would have to greatly reinforce their capital base in order to have an adequate safety margin in the downward phase,'' Garganas told a Propeller Club luncheon. ''Banks need to adopt advanced methods of internal control, not only for reasons of reputation but mainly for reasons of competition and a more accurate assessment of credit risk,'' he added. [11] EU mulling action against OA and other airlines for discriminatory faresBRUSSELS 20/12/03 (ANA - A. Simatos)The European Commission announced on Friday that it was sending letters to Olympic Airways and another 17 airlines, asking them to clarify whether they charged different fares for customers based on their country of residence and to outline the reasons why.The Commission said it was responding to an increasing number of complaints from EU citizens about discriminatory treatment from airlines when buying airline tickets, particularly over the Internet. It said airlines used the details supplied by customers, such as their address or the address of the credit card, to determine the country of residence and charge different prices, which in some cases diverged up to 300 per cent. A Commission spokesman said it was unclear as yet what legal action the Commission could take, since the issue concerned the airlines themselves rather than the EU member-states. He said the airlines had been given until February 29, 2004 to reply, after which the Commission would decide whether to take further action on this issue. Apart from OA, letters were sent to Air Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Midlands, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Meridiana, Spanair, SAS, SN Brussels Airlines, TAP and Virgin Atlantic. [12] Conference in London on business between Greece, UKAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)A conference on business cooperation between Greece and the United Kingdom will be held in London on January 19, 2004.The meeting arranged by the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce will also look at the outlook for the Greek economy and banking system. Among speakers will be Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Andreas Loverdos. [13] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise in brisk buyingAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)The Athens bourse finished higher on Friday in brisk buying across the board, traders said.The general share index gained 1.05 percent to end at 2,210.68 points. Turnover was 298.8 million euros. The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.34 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.0 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with gains of 1.69 percent. Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 256 to 46 with 57 issues remaining unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 118.3 mln euros Friday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Friday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of December 19 2003 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,251 1,223 [14] ATHOC chief and Public Prosecutors Office discuss Games securityAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)The head of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) Gianna Angelopoulos on Friday took part in a meeting with the head of the Athens first-instance public prosecutors' office Dimitris Papaggelopoulos to discuss security issues for the 2004 Olympics.The meeting was also attended by ATHOC's legal advisor and a team of prosecutors. Further meetings on Olympics security between the two sides are to be held in the future, it was announced. [15] Iaso hospitals group offers services to Athens 2004 OlympicsAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)The Athens-quoted Iaso Group SA on Friday signed a cooperation agreement with national organizers of the Athens 2004 Olympics.Under the terms of the agreement, the private hospitals chain will provide services, staff, equipment and premises on a 24-hour basis for the event. In addition, Iaso will have the right to the title of official provider of health and hospitality services for the Athens Olympics; and sell official products for the games on its premises. [16] Five committed to trial for involvement in ELA - Trial set for Feb. 9Athens 20/12/03 (ANA)The Appeals Council on Friday issued a committal for trial against five alleged members of the terrorist group Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) arrested earlier in the year, and the trial date has been set for February 9.The five suspects in custody, who will be tried by a criminal appeals tribunal on charges including 17 attempted murders and 59 bomb explosions, are Aggeletos Kanas, Irene Athanasaki, Christos Tsigaridas, Costas Agapiou and Mihalis Kassimis. The appeals justices plenum also named 10 prosecutors who will take part in a lottery to designate the two bench prosecutors to take part in the ELA trial, while later in the day it will name another 30 of its members to be included in a lottery to select the panel of judges for ELA trial. Aggeletos Kanas, 52, an electrician by trade and serving as community president of the remote western Aegean island of Kimolos at the time of his arrest in Athens in February, is believed to be the ELA member known by the codename ''George''. Costas Agapiou, 56, a civil engineer and resident of Athens, is believed to be the member known as ''Philippe''. Irini Athanasaki, 49, a private employee and resident of Athens, is believed to be the ELA member codenamed ''Myrto''. Christos Tsigaridas, 64, a civil engineer and resident of Athens, is believed to be 'Andrew', the organisation's theoretician and its contact with international terrorist 'Carlos the Jackal'. Michalis Kassimis, an employee at the organization for SMEs and handicrafts (EOMMEX) and resident of Athens, is the brother of the now deceased Christos Kassimis, who allegedly founded ELA. The Appeals Council also ordered continuation of the investigations on Yannis Serifis (who was acquitted by court last week on charges of involvement in the lethal 'November 17' terrorist group) and Epaminondas Skyftoulis with respect to their alleged participation in ELA and involvement in two specific explosions. In addition, it ordered that no charges of involvement in ELA should be brought against Costas Telios (who was found guilty of involvement in 17N and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment earlier this week), and Sophia Kyriakidou (Kanas' former wife). The Appeals Council further ruled that prosecution procedures regarding approximately 101 crimes attributed to ELA should be halted against all the defendants due to expiration of the statute of limitations. Charges :The charges faced by all five defendants include setting up and membership in a criminal group, and procurement and possession of explosives and arms, and involvement in a total of 82 terrorist acts, including the murder of Areios Paghos (Greek supreme court) prosecutor Anastasios Venardos in 1989 and the attempted murder of former GSEE general confederation of workers of Greece president George Raftopoulos in 1987. The Appeals Council ruling said that the accused, "together with other unknown individuals, in early 1975 set up the terrorist organization Revolutional Popular Struggle, which has since been disbanded (February 2003), committed various criminal acts the responsibility for which it would afterwards assume through written proclamations...or through simple telephone calls before or after the materialization of its target". The ruling said that "in the beginning the organization was comprised by a uniform group of individuals", but later on "it was active with the creation of autonomous terrorist teams -- which were comprised of more than three persons -- under different names and, specifically: Popular Struggle, Popular Revolutionary Struggle, Red Initiative, Popular Resistance Groups, Autonomous Nuclei, October 80 Revolutionary Group, Christos Kassimis Revolutionary Group, Revolutionary Popular Solidarity Group, June'78, and 1 May Revolutionary Group", adding that the 1 May group, by joint decision of its members and the members of the original terrorist group (ELA), had united "in the sense that both the decision taking and planning and ensuing execution of the specific criminal acts were carried out following the joint decision of a 'central council' that included, among others, Aggeletos Kanas and Irene Athanasaki (code-named 'Myrto'), the responsibility of which included the selection of the targets as well as the manner of execution of the plan". The ruling said that in order to "inform the public opinion and the members of the other terrorist teams", the terrorist organization regularly issued a leaflet titled "disinformation-propagandism-ideological/political clash against the regimist ideological sovereignty" which listed all the criminal acts committed by its own members and the members of the other terrorist teams. It said that a basement facility on 19 Nea Ionia avenue had been used to print this printed material, adding that the premise had been initially leased for that purpose by "the leading and founding member of the organization, Christos Kassimis, who was killed on Oct. 10, 1977 in a shoot-out between police officers and members of the organization as the latter were attempting to place an explosive device at the central offices of a German company in the area of the central vegetable market in Aghios Ioannis, Renti, Attica" prefecture. The ruling further said that the accused had procured their explosive materials "mainly from Kalymnos, where Aggeletos Kanas lived" and that the organisation's expenses were secured "through contributions by its members". The Appeals Council ruling also stipulated that "the terrorist crimes, even if they were politically motivated, do not cease to be acts of terrorism, which fall under the sphere of common criminal law". The committal ruling in addition ordered continuation of the investigation (with separation of the case file) on Yannis Serifis and Epaminondas Skyftoulis. Specifially for Serifis, the investigation concerns charges of his involvement in the killing of police officer Apostolos Velios in a bomb attack on a Greek Police bus in Perissos in 1994. The investigation on Skyftoulis concerns charges related to the bomb attack against journalist Kyriakos Diakoyannis in 1989. Appeals justices choose candidates for ELA trial lottery: The Appeals justices plenum on Friday selected 10 court presidents and 30 justices among their peers to take part in a lottery that will select the panel of judges for a special Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court, where five suspected terrorists will stand trial. The five suspects are Aggeletos Kanas, Irene Athanasaki, Christos Tsigaridas, Costas Agapiou and Mihalis Kassimis and are accused of membership in the terrorist organization Revolutionary People's Struggle (ELA), believed to be the predecessor of the recently dismantled terror group "November 17". The lottery will take place on January 7 and will select a court president and two judges, as well as one replacement for each of them. A lottery to select the appeals prosecutors for the same court will take place on the same day. The trial is due to begin on February 9. [17] Bomb explodes at main opposition ND offices in ThessalonikiAthens 20/12/03 (ANA)An explosion caused by a makeshift fire bomb took place early on Friday morning at the local offices of main opposition New Democracy party in Thessaloniki's Faliro district.Police said the culprits had set two small gas canisters in the building and then started a fire. The explosion caused minor damage to the party offices and two private cars parked outside its entrance. [18] President asks Annan to reengage in talksNICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)President Tassos Papadopoulos has asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to reengage in the question of Cyprus with a view at resuming talks, government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has said.He also said that Annan's demand to fix a date for a referendum on his peace proposal is not feasible because at present the Annan plan is not complete. ''The president has sent a letter to the Secretary General asking him to reengage in the Cyprus problem with a view at resuming talks,'' the spokesman told his daily press briefing on Friday. Replying to questions, the spokesman said he did not think Annan has changed his views on how he sees the negotiation resuming. ''Annan's demand to determine a date for a referendum is not feasible because the plan is not complete at present. This term basically puts the cart before the horse and this term is not feasible in the sense that it is premature,'' the spokesman explained. Annan has repeatedly said that he will not reengage in Cyprus through his mission of good offices until the two sides on the island show the political will to negotiate and conclude an agreement based on his peace proposal and put that agreement to simultaneous separate referenda. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. [19] President replies to Annan letter on missing personsNICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)President Tassos Papadopoulos has accepted without any reservation suggestions UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has put forward with a view at making headway on the humanitarian issue of missing persons.Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Friday President Papadopoulos has replied to Annan's letter, in which he set out his ideas relating to reviving the work of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP) as well as implementing an agreement reached by the leaders of the two communities regarding exhumations of remains and their return to the families concerned. ''Kofi Annan has sent the same letter to the President and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash,'' the spokesman said. He explained that Papadopoulos has consulted with the Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and replied to Annan's letter saying he accepts ''unreservedly'' the suggestions put forward and expresses the wish that Denktash will follow suit. The spokesman said a copy of his letter to Annan was sent to Denktash. ''We hope that Annan's suggestions are also accepted by Denktash and that a new process will begin on the basis of his proposals which will lead to the solution of this tragic issue in a way that the rights of missing persons and their families are respected,'' the spokesman added. [20] Boucher reiterates US support to Annan planNICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)US State Department's Spokesman Richard Boucher has reiterated the US support to the UN Secretary General's plan for a Cyprus settlement, noting that this is the solution that needs to be looked at now by all the parties.Regarding statements by the Turkish side for a new plan it will release, Boucher said the US is interested in ideas and thoughts that the Turkish government might have, but is looking for all the parties to support the Annan plan. Asked during Thursday's briefing if the US does not support any other than the Annan plan for Cyprus, Boucher said ''the United States has consistently made clear our support for the Annan plan.'' ''We believe that is the solution that needs to be looked at now by all the parties. We're obviously interested in ideas and thoughts that the Turkish government might have, but we are looking for all the parties to support the Annan plan and to get back together and start working on that basis,'' he added. [21] Spokesman: US envoy's stance 'unfair'NICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has described ''unfair'' the view adopted by the US coordinator on Cyprus that places President Tassos Papadopoulos on an equal par with the Turkish Cypriot side with regard to efforts for the immediate resumption of talks.''It is unfair to put all sides on an equal par, if this is what Thomas Weston means. I believe this remark is addressed to the Turkish side but Weston has refrained from actually saying so. Neither the European Union nor anybody else does, for that matter,'' the spokesman said on Friday. His comments come in the wake of remarks by Weston on Thursday who said all four sides to the Cyprus question (Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Greece and Turkey) should meet the criteria set out by the UN Secretary General, adding that none has. Kofi Annan has stressed that he will not reengage in negotiations in Cyprus unless the two sides in Cyprus show the political will to negotiate and conclude his peace plan and put it to a referendum. Annan said Greece and Turkey have to support this process as well. President Papadopoulos has repeatedly said that he is ready to return to the negotiating table as soon as Annan invites him to do so. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said the Annan plan is dead and buried. The spokesman said international pressure should clearly be directed to the side that does injustice because of the continuing occupation of part of Cyprus and because of the intransigent stance it has maintained until now. Chrysostomides said it is totally unfair to place Papadopoulos in the same basket as the rest, without noting the President's willingness to resume immediately negotiations. Replying to questions, he said his conclusion from Weston's remarks is that the US diplomat was addressing himself to the Turkish side. ''What Weston is doing is to avoid saying so and this is what I consider unfair because in theory he places the two side on the island on an equal par,'' he added. [22] Spokesman sees 'important' elements in Council statementNICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has said that there are important elements in a statement issued Thursday by the Security Council.''The reference to resolutions 541 and 550 which consider any secessionist acts as legally invalid are such elements,'' he pointed out on Friday. He said the statement refers to pressure exerted on Turkish Cypriot voters in Sunday's poll in Turkish occupied Cyprus. He noted the reference to the goal of an agreement which will emerge from negotiations on the basis of a peace proposal on a comprehensive settlement Annan has put forward. On Thursday the president of the Council said in a statement that the outcome of the poll among Turkish Cypriots ''is all the more noteworthy given pressures faced by the Turkish Cypriots to support the status quo. ''The members of the Council expressed hope ''that all parties in northern Cyprus and all other concerned parties will honor the desire of the majority of Turkish Cypriots as soon as possible,'' which expressed support for a solution and accession to the EU. ''The members reiterate their full support for the good offices of the Secretary General as entrusted to him in Security Council resolution 1250. They urge the Turkish Cypriot leadership and all parties concerned to strongly support the Secretary General's efforts and, in this context, call for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals,'' the Security Council stressed. [23] Commission confirms conclusion of structural fund dialogueNICOSIA 20/12/03 (CNA/ANA)The European Commission confirmed on Thursday that the negotiations on the strategy for the implementation of structural funds in Cyprus, for the period 2004 to 2006, have been successfully concluded.These negotiations have resulted in an agreement on the priorities for economic and social development strategy for Cyprus that will be supported with community funding during the period 2004-2006, according to the Commission. Cyprus will benefit from Community co-financing to the tune of 53.3 million euros during the same period. This strategy covers the priorities and the measures that will be eligible for community co-financing as of January 1, 2004, provided that projects on the ground ensure full compliance with Community legislation in areas such as regional policy, environmental protection, public procurement and financial management and control. The programming documents will only be formally approved upon accession of Cyprus on May1, 2004. During the same period, the cohesion fund will make an additional 54 million euros available for Cyprus to co-finance infrastructures in the environment and transport sectors. In announcing the decision, Michel Barnier, Commissioner for regional policy and institutional reform, stressed the progress made by Cyprus in its preparation for the future management and implementation of structural funds program. Furthermore, he highlighted ''the fruitful and constructive partnership and spirit of cooperation with Cyprus in developing the strategy for the structural funds.'' Barnier also expressed the wish that ''this collaboration will continue during the next phase to ensure the efficient and rigorous implementation of the program in Cyprus.'' He underlined that the agreement foresees a concentration of resources on several priorities, noting that ''it will facilitate the achievement of the overall goals of this strategy, including and increase in GDP and reduction in unemployment.'' ''Cyprus has now to ensure that all relevant legislation is in force so that the implementation of the program can start in January 2004, as provided for in the Treaty of Accession,'' Barnier added. The strategy and the priorities of the Objective 2 single programming document (SPD) seek to promote development and structural adjustment in Cyprus. The program is based on two priorities, the first sustainable rural development with a Community contribution of 18.49 million euros, development of urban areas in decline, that is promotion of the socio-economic regeneration of selected urban areas in the Nicosia region adjacent to the cease-fire line with a Community contribution of 8.41 million euros. Additionally, an amount of 1.12 million euros will be made available for technical assistance. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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