Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Papandreou concludes weekend tour of provinces with visit to Lefkada

[02] Karamanlis speaks with Giscard d’ Estaing

[03] Papariga says a vote for KKE is 'a vote gained for the people'

[04] Latest opinion polls on parties, candidates released

[05] Papandreou confers by phone with Solana on Cyprus issue

[06] Powell confers by phone with Greek FM Papandreou on Cyprus issue

[07] Athens: Annan peace plan remains the basis for Cyprus talks

[08] PM Simitis confers by telephone with Cyprus President Papadopoulos

[09] Deputy FM Magriotis visits Georgia

[10] Porto Carras amendment fallout continues

[11] Castro attends ceremony at Orthodox church in Cuba; Patriarch officiates

[12] Athens welcomes Israeli recognition of Jerusalem Patriarch

[13] Cyprus Spokesman: Decision by Turkish National Security Council for Cyprus not positive

[14] Ereli: Cyprus negotiations must resume as soon as possible

[01] FM Papandreou concludes weekend tour of provinces with visit to Lefkada

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

His two-day tour included visits to Aetoloakarnania, Preveza and Arta prefectures.

He was received in Lefkada by a numerous crowd.

In his brief address, Papandreou referred to the issues of the region and in particular to the major problems which were created from the latest earthquake.

He also referred to the need for a greater decentralization of the state, stressing that he himself would be pleased if at the end of the four-year term his government will be characterized as ''a government of the regions, a government of local development, a government of the citizen.''

He stressed that he himself and the democratic front he represents were ''against privileges and supported the rights of every citizen.'' He also said that corruption was a form of exclusion of the citizen. ''If there is corruption, it is a form of the exclusion of the citizen and we will not accept such behavior,'' he added.

''These were always our principles but somewhere along the line things bogged down because we also as well as all the par-ties are not operating properly,'' he noted.

He reiterated his position for a great renewal and changes. ''We will take all the necessary decisions for the Movement and society because we are building something new. We want to again bring credibility to political life,' he said.

He also referred to the main opposition New Democracy party, accusing it of promoting ''misery and defeatism.''

The foreign minister later departed for Nydri and Meganisi.

In his address at Meganisi, he referred to the issues of the region, in particular to issues concerning the agricultural and tourism sector. He also referred to local development, local government and decentralization.

G. Papandreou, Karamanlis tour provinces, address supporters: Stepped up campaign tours and addresses were on the itinerary Saturday and Sunday by political leaders, with Foreign Minister George Papandreou -- by all accounts the successor to PM Costas Simitis at the helm of ruling PASOK -- and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis speaking to supporters in the provinces.

Papandreou began a tour of Aetoloakarnania, Preveza and Arta prefectures from the worksite of the under-construction Rio-Antirrio bridge linking the Peloponnese the western mainland, before heading to rallies in the towns of Agrinio, Messolonghi and Arta. He will address a PASOK event on the Ionian island of Lefkada on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Karamanlis began a tour of the large island of Crete on Saturday accompanied by veteran politician and former premier Constantine Mitsotakis, a native Cretan. The octogenarian Mitsotakis, who is also ND’s honorary president, announced his retirement from politics on Friday.

General elections will be held on March 7.

Speaking from the bridge worksite a day after the deputy economy minister’s resignation and a snap late-night decision by PASOK’s party leadership to exclude the ex-minister, Christos Pachtas, and another nine PASOK deputies from the party’s election ballots in the coming election, Papandreou referred to a “difficult decision”.

He also said he will personally guarantee that no “gray shadows” plague the country’s political scene, adding that PASOK must proceed with courage, daring and be willing to make tough choices.

In other statements, Papandreou – the only candidate so far in line to succeed Simitis at an extraordinary party congress scheduled to conclude on Feb. 8 – promised supporters a down-sized and flexible government structure, one in which the citizenry will participate in decision making.

On his part, Karamanlis, speaking from Irakleio, Crete, again sharply criticized ruling PASOK, referring to “an explosion of corruption and lawlessness, a cottage industry of legislation and amendments, behind which vested interests and pre-election expediencies are hiding.”

In direct reference to the sudden Pachtas furor, he said it “has roots and branches”, before calling for all files in the resigned deputy minister’s possession to be publicized, as he said.

Karamanlis also indirectly criticized Papandreou, without referring to him by name, before citing a “social trend” that demands a change of government.

The ND leader was greeted at a rally in Irakleio by Mitsotakis.

[02] Karamanlis speaks with Giscard d’ Estaing

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

According to an ND press release, Karamanlis expressed his support for the Irish EU presidency’s efforts to lift a current impasse in negotiations, following a failure to iron out a compromise at a December EU Summit. He also told d’ Estaing he will continue to promote efforts for a European constitution within the framework of the European Peoples’ Party (EPP).

[03] Papariga says a vote for KKE is 'a vote gained for the people'

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

In a speech she gave at Metamorphosis in the Attica region, the KKE leader said: ‘We are not opposed to PASOK and ND from the standpoint of a small party. We do not wish to join in their game or to discuss a position in governance and co-administration. We do not want to have anything to do with them. We want to combat them. We want to compete their policy''.

At the same time, Papariga referred to her party's political alliances, underlining that ''the alliance must have a political direction, to be social and political.'' She added that ''we have a clear direction for an alliance against big capital, noting that opportunist alliances are not made on the eve of general elections.''

[04] Latest opinion polls on parties, candidates released

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

In a poll published by the mass circulation “Ta Nea”, 40.1 percent of respondents chose ND, followed by 37.6 for PASOK. Of other parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was preferred by 4.9 percent of respondents; the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) by 2.2 percent; the Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) garnered 1 percent, the same as the LA.OS party. Those that declared themselves "undecided" accounted for 9.8 percent, with the rest declaring themselves for another party or in favor of casting a blank ballot.

The 2.2-percent figure for Synaspismos would conceivable leave the party without Parliament representation, as 3 percent is the ceiling for entering the 300-deputy Greek legislature.

The poll, conducted by the Metron Analysis firm, shows that Foreign Minister George Papandreou, by all accounts the new PASOK leader after a party congress on Feb. 8, ahead of rival ND leader Costas Karamanlis in regards to women, young adults and voters retaining a higher education. However, Karamanlis leads among pensioners and farmers. Male voters’ preferences are practically split down the middle.

Papandreou is expected to assume PASOK’s helm from Premier Costas Simitis early next month and will lead a PASOK government if the ruling party comes in first. Simitis announced his withdrawal in early January, allowing an uncontested Papandreou to vie for the party’s leadership.

The opinion poll was conducted between Jan. 10 and 14.

Furthermore, in a poll published by the financial weekly “Ependytis tou Kosmou” on Saturday, ND leads PASOK by 41.4 percent to 38.1. KKE earned 5.4 percent of respondents’ support; 2.7 for Synaspismos, 1.4 for DIKKI and 1.1 percent for LA.OS.

Those declaring undecided totalled 8.7 percent.

Asked who they prefer as prime minister, 41.4 percent gave the nod to Karamanlis and 41.3 to Papandreou – a dead heat.

The poll was conducted by the Dimel firm.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll published by the “Kathimerini” daily on Sunday showed ND ahead of PASOK by 3.2 percentage points, 31.5 percent to 28.3 for PASOK.

The poll, by the VPRC firm, was conducted between Jan. 19 and Jan. 22 on a sample of 2,400 respondents.

Among other parties, KKE earned 3.2 percent, Synaspismos 1.7, DIKKI 0.4 and LA.OS 0.8 percent of respondents’ preferences.

Even more telling in this poll was the fact that 16.4 percent of respondents said they were undecided.

According to the paper, a supplementary questionnaire for those declaring themselves undecided provided data resulting in ND’s share to rise to 46 percent; 42 for PASOK and 5 percent for KKE. Preferences for the other parties were under 3 percent.

Regarding the question of who will win the next elections, 39 percent said ND and 33 percent said PASOK.

Finally, Papandreou was just as better qualified to serve as premier by 47 percent of respondents as opposed to 34 percent for Karamanlis.

[05] Papandreou confers by phone with Solana on Cyprus issue

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

The Cyprus issue is not on the agenda of the meeting but Papandreou told reporters it may be raised during the luncheon.

Papandreou further said that the Turks are indicating that they want to promote the issue. However, the Greek side is expressing reservations because similar statements have been made in the past. The Greek reservations are expressed despite the recognition by the Greek side that the present Turkish government has indicated its intentions to proceed in making reforms in a positive spirit in Turkey, but Greece is also waiting to see action in this direction.

As stated by the Greek foreign minister, the difficulties for a solution to the Cyprus issue by May 1, when Cyprus formally becomes a full member of the European Union, is due to the stance which Turkey is maintaining and to the role which Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is continuing to play. Papandreou also noted that the decision taken by Turkey's National Security Council moves outside of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan.

To a question whether Annan accepts the EU's acquis communautaire, Papandreou replied affirmatively and said that if Turkey tables a proposal outside UN chief's plan, it will not be accepted.

The assessment of the Greek side is that the margins until May 1 are very tight and that it will be very difficult for a solution to the Cyprus problem to be reached by May 1.

Papandreou will attend Monday's meeting of the General Affairs Council to bid farewell to his European counterparts with whom he had a long and constructive cooperation during his term as foreign minister of Greece.

[06] Powell confers by phone with Greek FM Papandreou on Cyprus issue

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

Spokesman Panos Beglitis said Powell spoke with Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Saturday by phone, with the latter stressing that Greek Cypriot leadership has done nothing but demonstrate its flexibility over the recent period in order to begin talks based on Annan peace plan.

Beglitis said the Greek FM underlined that Athens and Nicosia are ready to start substantive negotiations even tomorrow if such contacts are based on the Annan peace plan. “What we don’t agree with is to commit ourselves a priori to a timetable and conditions set by the UN general secretary … and I am referring specifically to the issue of a referendum.”

“What we are saying, and what Mr. Papandreou told Mr. Powell, is to allow negotiations to begin, even tomorrow; the Cyprus government is ready to begin substantive negotiations based on the Annan plan … and in the course (of negotiations), we’ll see how these negotiations are developing, and if we have achieved significant results and are ahead of a positive development, then the two communities can agree over dates for the timetable,” he said.

Finally, he termed the fact that Ankara now considers that the Cyprus problem is not solved – as opposed to its previous standing position -- as a “positive development”.

[07] Athens: Annan peace plan remains the basis for Cyprus talks

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

“Turkey’s national security council is attempting, with its statement, to place a solution for the Cyprus problem within a different framework from that of UN resolutions and the Annan plan. This statement also clashes with European Union decisions, the framework of Euro-Turkish relations and even Turkey’s European course,” foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed.

He reiterated that Athens considers the UN general secretary’s plan as the “solid base” for negotiations aimed at achieving a fair, viable and functional solution, one compatible with Inter-national Law and Europe’s acquis communautaire.

[08] PM Simitis confers by telephone with Cyprus President Papadopoulos

NICOSIA 26/01/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

According to a Cypriot private TV channel, the two leaders discussed the new steps by the Greek and Greek Cypriot side after the latest proposals by Ankara for a resumption of the Cyprus talks and the Turkish demands for the replacement of Alvaro de Soto, UN chief Kofi Annan's special advisor on the Cyprus problem.

[09] Deputy FM Magriotis visits Georgia

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

In statements, Magriotis underlined the ''stable and sincere interest of the Greek government'' in the region of the Black Sea and the southern Caucasus and ''the very good relations and fruitful cooperation between Greece and Georgia''.

Furthermore, the deputy foreign minister, in meetings with government officials, discussed the matter of the security and living standards of the Greek community in Georgia.

[10] Porto Carras amendment fallout continues

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

PASOK’s executive bureau tersely announced that all ten, including resigned deputy minister Christos Pachtas, would not be on PASOK’s election ballots on March 7. The announcement followed previous reports of extreme annoyance on the part of other top government ministers, including National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Town Planning Minister Vasso Papandreou.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis accepted Pachtas’ resignation, who appeared on television in the late evening to defend his actions.

In his comments, Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed his dismay over the development, “just as every citizen, I felt a deep disappointment for the decision of my colleagues. Beyond the disappointment, however, there is responsibility, responsibility vis-a-vis a (political) movement that hopes, a movement that renews…” he said.

In his comments on Saturday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the entire affair was a “major moral issue for New Democracy”, a reference to the fact that three ND deputies had signed off on the bill when it was first presented in November.

Two of the three ND deputies subsequently withdrew their signatures while a third, Elsa Papadimitriou, stressed on Saturday that she refrained from voicing any support or voting in favor after her party briefed her on the amendment’s contents.

Papadimitriou also said that PASOK was merely trying to “muddy the waters” after hastily withdrawing the amendment and cashiering the nine deputies and deputy minister.

ND: ND spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos continued to sternly criticize the ruling party.

“New Democracy fulfilled its obligation. It uncovered a political crime and demonstrated the degree of decomposition,” he said, before reminding that the government "had tried to pass legislation days earlier which would absolve individuals involved in bourse-related offenses".

“Along with the country’s healthy forces, along with the press and journalists, along with the public opinion, New Democracy succeeded in chasing away from public office those responsible for this scandal, at least. It isn’t enough, though, for ND to monitor an opaque regime. The time has come to restore the principles of legality and democracy in the state’s operation,” he said.

In terms of the deputies at the centre of the furor, former deputy transport minister Spyros Vougias, a MP from the Thessaloniki area, denied that “anyone fooled” him into signing the amendment, “I can’t say something like that. We’re not small children”.

He added that he was initially briefed over the amendment by PASOK MP Yiannis Anthopoulos, himself a foreign deputy minister, before Pachtas convinced him, as Vougias said, that the rider was beneficial for tourism development in Halkidiki prefecture.

Moreover, he called the late-night decision by PASOK executive bureau an “extreme”, before noting, however, that he will back George Papandreou in the coming election period.

Patra-area deputy Alekos Chrysanthakopoulos, said Anthopoulos was responsible for gaining his confidence on the controversial, and ultimately doomed, Porto Carras amendment. He also said he had not been present at the debate on the amendment because he was presiding over another Parliament committee at the time.

Other parties: On her part, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary general Aleka Papariga charged that “all together they are responsible for the scandal of Halkidiki. They have ratified Article 24 of the Constitution that opens the way for such situations. George Papandreou’s hagiography should stop. He cannot utilize his position today on the Pachtas affair to erase his participation in the government’s anti-popular work”.

Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas, a former high-ranking PASOK cadre that left the ruling party to form his own political formation, said:

“A deputy minister and nine deputies were sacrificed, in the middle of the night, on the altar of vested interests and stripped of their right to run as candidates in the coming election due to a morally and politically grievous act, according to a decision by PASOK’s executive bureau,” he said, charging, however, that the 10 MPs were not expelled from PASOK’s Parliamentary group, “so they can still be useful in other bills and amendments”.

Judicial probe: Finally, the head of the Athens first instance prosecutor’s office on Saturday requested the videotape and audiotape reports about the Porto Carras amendment aired on a private television and radio station a day earlier.

The probe involves quotes by several of the nine PASOK deputies saying that the signatures attributed to them on the amendment were not really theirs, which could point to forgery.

Parliament would have jurisdiction in the event any offences are traced to current MPs.

[11] Castro attends ceremony at Orthodox church in Cuba; Patriarch officiates

HAVANA 26/01/2004 (ANA/M. Papoutsaki)

The Cuban justice minister presented to the Patriarch the certificate of legality of Saint Nicholas Church, while the Patriarch gave a gold cross to Castro who in turn presented him with the key of the church.

The Patriarch in his sermon noted in particular the need for the freedom of religious expression, stressing that human rights should be respected by all and not violated.

He also spoke for the lifting of the embargo against Cuba, saying that ''Orthodoxy did not come here to use its strength, but came pure and without cunning to share the pain of this country and of its people'' and concluded: ‘It is wrong for peoples to be excluded from the rest of the world. A historic mistake.''

The events were concluded on Sunday and the Patriarch was due to depart Havana later in the day for Istanbul.

Speaking on Saturday evening at an art exhibition revolving around the “Olympic Truce” theme, Vartholomeos, the primus inter pares of Orthodox patriarchs, indirectly touched on the long-standing embargo against the Caribbean island-nation by successive US administrations, while at the same time referring to human rights in other comments.

“We are sending the message of truce as regards the isolation of this country through the trade embargo. A country preparing to participate in the Olympic Games of Athens with a large delegation has a right to breathe freely both inside the country and overseas,” the Patriarch said, adding: “Let us hope that this opportunity does not pass without a positive result”.

In an earlier reference to the Orthodox Church’s ground-breaking presence on the predominately Roman Catholic island, Vartholomeos said the defense of human rights was also included in its mission.

According to information ascertained in the Cuban capital, the initiative to build and open an Orthodox church on the island was undertaken by the former Greek monarch, Constantine, who told reporters that he approached Castro four years ago about the issue. Vartholomeos, who heads the venerable Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, previously visited the Havana children’s hospital before attending a luncheon in his honor early Sunday.

Vartholomeos and his entourage were received by the veteran Cuban leader at the Havana airport on Thursday.

[12] Athens welcomes Israeli recognition of Jerusalem Patriarch

Athens, 26/01/2004 (ANA)

“The Greek government welcomes, with particular satisfaction, the recognition of Patriarch Irineos by the government of Israel. This recognition, even if delayed, serves as a vindication of the efforts made by the Greek government on the specific issue...” Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis said.

“Hellenism and the Greek state, just as they have done until now, will in the future continue to stand by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem ...” he said.

On his part, and speaking during a radio news program, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis praised the decision by the Israeli cabinet and the interventions of Israeli PM Ariel Sharon and FM Sylvan Shalom.

[13] Cyprus Spokesman: Decision by Turkish National Security Council for Cyprus not positive

NICOSIA 26/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Chrysostomides was speaking after a meeting between Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and parties supporting the government.

''The statement issued after the meeting of the National Security Council is not a positive one nor does it help in the right direction which is promoting the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem'', he said.

The Turkish National Security Council convened Friday in a four-hour meeting and decided that it would be useful to resume negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, noting that a twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan could be used as a reference.

[14] Ereli: Cyprus negotiations must resume as soon as possible

WASHINGTON 26/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Answering to questions on the decision by the Turkish National Security Council for Cyprus he also called upon all parties to the issue "to meet the Secretary General' s requirements as soon as possible and recommence negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan by agreeing to finalize the plan and put it to referenda by a date certain".

Asked on the significance of Turkey's statement he said it is "a welcome one, an important one, and we believe that it's in the interest of all parties to sign up to the Annan plan and begin negotiations as soon as possible''.

''We continue to encourage all parties to take these steps'', Ereli added noting that in this respect US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, "at the request of the Turkish government, traveled to Ankara and will continue his discussions on the way forward to a Cyprus settlement".

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