Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece's high growth rates not based on Olympic Games, Solbes says

[02] PM accuses ND party in Parliament of 'far-right divisive mentality'

[03] FM Papandreou addresses election campaign rally in Thessaloniki

[04] Gov't spokesman: decision to expel Anthopoulos a 'moral stand'

[05] Annan says solution must be found by end of March to meet deadline

[06] Erdogan says he wants Cyprus solution as soon as possible in talks with Bush

[07] US White House spokesman says Bush gov't satisfied with Ankara's Cyprus approach

[08] Turkish PM says 'memorandum of understanding' must precede referendums on Cyprus

[09] Deputy FM meets Russian counterpart in Moscow for bilateral talks

[10] Greece to maintain high growth rates, needs fiscal improvement, EU Commission

[11] Gov’t discusses economy with employers, workers' unions

[12] Gov't withdraws amendments attached to spa bill, denies opposition claims

[13] Greek stocks drop 1.25 pct on Wednesday

[14] Memory day for Greek Jews honored in Thessaloniki on Wednesday

[15] Deputy FM refers to operation on Iraqi boy, hopes everything will go well

[16] Interior ministry issues immigration guide

[17] President Papadopoulos ready to negotiate with no conditions

[18] Papadopoulos calls for PACE's support to end human rights violations in Cyprus

[19] PACE urges leaders in Cyprus to resume talks on basis of Annan plan

[01] Greece's high growth rates not based on Olympic Games, Solbes says

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

''We are asking me if Greece's high growth rates were depending on the Olympic Games? The answer is no. The country's high growth rates are not solely justified by the Olympic Games and I think that these growth rates are satisfactory themselves,'' Mr Solbes said in Brussels on Wednesday.

The EU Commissioner on Monetary Affairs presented the European Commission's recommendation on Greece's updated Stability and Growth program for the period 2003-2006. Mr Solbes stressed that additional public spending related with the Olympic Games was having a negative impact on the country's public deficit and noted that there were risks in adhering to a fiscal discipline program, risks that were taken under consideration in the Greek program and that should be dealt with.

The Commissioner said that Greece's Stability Program was ''optimistic'' and underlined the need to maintain high primary surpluses by the government. He noted that efforts to balance the state budget were rolled over to 2005 and 2006 and stressed the lack of data in the program to containing primary spending.

Mr Solbes stressed that the program's goal to achieve a balanced or surplus budget by 2006 was not feasible and said that Greece's public debt was expected to drop to 90.5 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2006 from 101.7 percent in 2003.

[02] PM accuses ND party in Parliament of 'far-right divisive mentality'

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

Simitis was speaking during an off-the-agenda debate between party leaders, held at ND's initiative, on ''the government's policy in crucial sectors of the state's functions.''

The prime minister said that ''ND, with the verbal vulgarities it used against himself and (foreign minister) George Papandreou, showed its roots which is the far-right and which constituted an indication of political hypocrisy. Its speech and actions are in extreme contrast, it uses duplicity, the lack of ethics, arrogance, personal attacks and defamation and harms politics and the political system.''

Referring to the controversial ''Pachtas amendment'', Simitis pointed out that the government's position had been explicit and clear from the beginning of December, when the amendment had been brought to Parliament for the first time and had been rejected by the government.

''All should have been aware of this or should have pursued a revision of the government's position,'' he said, referring to Christos Pachtas and the nine deputies who had signed the controversial amendment.

''The amendment was promoted and ratified contrary to the government's position and with an unethical process,'' Simitis stressed, adding that measures taken concerning both the resignation of the deputy economy minister and the removal of the nine from election tickets were ''necessary actions.''

The prime minister accused ND of creating ''a fictitious reality of general decay and of disdain for values'' and expressed the view that integrity is the rule and corruption the exception in the country's political life.

He further criticized ND because ''at the time it is speaking of vested interests and corruption, it is creating the image of a divided society where ND is lying outside and far from phenomena of corruption and vested interests.''

Focusing on the economy, Simitis said ND cannot guarantee the economy's stability and that many worse days will be in store for working people, and the socially weaker classes in particular, if the main opposition party comes to power.

He also added that ND's employment policy is vague and raised the question in the event ND comes to power will it facilitate dismissals, decrease hirings and go ahead with new labor agreements which shall reduce employers' obligations.

ND leader says corporate democracy begins in Parliament, questions FM's absence: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during a debate on ''government policy in crucial sectors of state functions'', noted the absence from Parliament of Foreign Minister and PASOK party leadership candidate George Papandreou, saying ''corporate democracy begins and ends here, in Parliament.''

Karamanlis began his address with a compliment to Prime Minister Costas Simitis over the ''good level of dialogue we had all these years, despite tensions and nervous expressions'' and recognized the contribution of the prime minister and the other party leaders in this respect.

''I am wondering why I can't see your successor beside you. Where is Mr. Papandreou today? Why is he absent, particularly today when the people want to see their leaders and their views?'', Karamanlis said.

Simitis replied that according to Parliamentary regulations, the prime minister and the relevant minister reply in an off-the-agenda debate and not the foreign minister who only has 12 minutes at his disposal.

''Mr. Karamanlis is invoking Mr. Papandreou. It is a trick and there is no place for tricks here in Parliament. It is a theatrical performance aimed at the person responsible not replying. You are downgrading the prestige of Parliament and I am obliged to safeguard this prestige,'' the prime minister said.

Karamanlis said in turn ''Mr. Papandreou is in essence already PASOK's leader and he is seeking the vote of the Greek people. It is my opinion that he should be here. It is his right to choose otherwise.''

Communist, Coalition party leaders attack gov't policy in Parliamentary debate: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during a debate on ''government policy in crucial sectors of state functions'', said her party rejects the government's work in its entirety.

''We reject the government's work in its entirety. We do not believe in New Democracy (the main opposition party).

Competition is not substantive between PASOK and New Democracy, there is no difference in programs and policy. It is an issue of management. We are against the policy of dialogue and consensus and in favor of a policy of rift with big interests,'' she said.

Papariga said the amendment concerning Halkidiki was ''despicable'' and wondered whether development is limited to the creation of hotels and the target is ''for Greece to become a vast hotel for the plutocratic class of Europe and for NATO troops.''

On his part, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos said the prime minister's policy was undependable.

''Mr. Simitis, your policy has been judged by your own party and it has been judged as being undependable, negative and as not being a strong card in the election campaign. The members and cadres of PASOK, your grassroots, the groups which supported you all through the past years are persistently requesting a change in policy,'' Constantopoulos said.

[03] FM Papandreou addresses election campaign rally in Thessaloniki

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou remained steadfast in his policy for changes in the political and social scene. He did not restrict himself for changes only in the ruling PASOK but also in the other parties, asking of their members, supporters and voters to look at the "establishments" existing in their own parties.

Referring to the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, Papandreou said that ''it is afraid of the new which PASOK is bringing'' and called on its voters to question themselves on ''who is hearing them, who is asking for their opinion and who is utilizing their thought.'' He added that ''we need this thought, even if it comes from citizens who support other parties. For us, this thought is our oxygen.''

Referring to PASOK, Papandreou said that maybe there were some individuals ''in the Movement who would not wish for major changes, either because they would possibly find themselves without privileges or have become an establishment and the new procedure does not suit them. I call on all of them to surpass themselves. The Movement does not belong to anyone. PASOK belongs to the Greek people. We have a duty to offer.''

He added:''it is PASOK that today determines developments. Despite this, we are not satisfied and we must surpass ourselves.''

He said that the message he wished to convey to the participants in the rally but also to the Greek people in general was that ''he had a vision and an ambition for the Greek citizen to be safe and certain.''

Papandreou stressed that PASOK ''is the great force of change and renewal'' and that he himself undertook his own responsibilities ''to lead in the great effort for the renewal of political life.'' He added that the ND ''is unable to comprehend the strength of renewal.''

Concluding, he stressed that he was not afraid of the March 7 general elections, expressing certainty that PASOK would emerge victorious.

Papandreou's visit to Thessaloniki marked the start of his tour of northern Greece which will conclude in Halkidiki on Sunday.

[04] Gov't spokesman: decision to expel Anthopoulos a 'moral stand'

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

''We dared, and we presented a political mien of high moral fiber, values and principles. Let others dare to do the same,'' he added.

Protopapas stressed that PASOK presidency candidate George Papandreou, whose succession to the party's leadership will be made formal in a party vote on February 8, intended to put forward proposals on a system of government that focused strongly on political morality.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis expelled Anthopoulos from ruling PASOK's parliamentary group on Tuesday because of ''his actions and his deportment vis-a-vis his MP colleagues on the issue of the controversial (Porto Carras) amendment.''

Anthopoulos admitted to using questionable methods in order to secure the MP signatures needed to table the amendment in Parliament, with some MPs involved claiming that their signatures were forged.

The amendment allows the owners of the well-known Porto Carras resort in northern Greece to build several hundred new housing units on property that at one time was described as forest land.

A political furore erupted when it was passed by Parliament last week and led to the resignation of Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pachtas, who had tabled the bill. The government has pledged that the amendment will be revoked by subsequent legislation attached to a next finance ministry bill tabled in Parliament.

[05] Annan says solution must be found by end of March to meet deadline

BRUSSELS 29/01/2004 (ANA/G.Zitouniati/CNA)

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday with European Commission President Romano Prodi, Annan added that he had a very encouraging meeting with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, and described Erdogan's statement that Turkey is prepared to resume negotiations ''a good decision,'' noting that the Turkish premier gave him some proposals which he is currently studying very seriously.

Prodi praised the UN role in efforts to find a solution in Cyprus and stressed that he is convinced that ''a window of opportunity still exists to reach a settlement before accession on the basis of the plan presented by the Secretary-General.''

He also said the Commission is ready to accommodate the terms of a settlement on the basis of the Secretary-General's plan and organize a donor's conference to mobilize financial support for needs arising for a settlement.

Asked by CNA if after meeting Erdogan at Davos the Secretary-General believes it is now right to resume negotiations on Cyprus, the UN chief replied:''I had a very encouraging meeting with Mr. Erdogan. He told me that his country is prepared to resume negotiations. And I think that is a good decision, he made some proposals to me and I am currently studying them very seriously.''

Annan said he will meet Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Thursday afternoon and he will also have an opportunity to talk to the Greeks, and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. ''Once I have all the necessary information, I will be able to decide whether the time is right to begin again,'' said Annan, stressing however that ''the conditions are clear and I think the parties must be prepared to show willingness to solve these problems so that they can go forward, because if we begin, everyone must understand that we must do our utmost to complete the process by 1st of May.''

Invited to outline the schedule he has in mind with regard to the Cyprus peace effort, Annan said he has made it clear that his good offices ''are available provided the parties demonstrate the will and the determination to find a solution.''

He explained that there are two parties, ''the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and then you have the two motherlands, Turkey and Greece who have a considerable role to play and influence and there is also the security agreement between them which will also be part of the discussions.''

''If indeed we are going to try and settle this issue early enough for the expansion on the 1st of May, then if you work backwards we don't have much time. The plan on the table does envisage that the parties may have the possibility of negotiating changes in the plan, and also indicated where they were not able to agree, they may give me the authority to fill in the gaps,'' Annan said.

This means ''if you work backwards, ideally we should try and have an agreement between the parties by end of March, to be able to have simultaneous referenda in April to meet the May 1st deadline. And I think this should be clear for everyone who approaches me and says 'let's resume talks, we are determined to go ahead, we want to settle it before 1st of May'. That is a calendar we should assume we are looking at,'' he added.

In his remarks to the press, Prodi said he thanked the Secretary-General for his effort to promote a comprehensive settlement and for excellent cooperation between his organization and the Commission.

He recalled that recently he had ''intensive discussions with Prime Minister Erdogan in Ankara'' during which he insisted, ''the EU wants to see an agreement before the 1st of May so that a reunited Cyprus can join the EU.''

[06] Erdogan says he wants Cyprus solution as soon as possible in talks with Bush

WASHINGTON 29/01/2004 (ANA/T.Ellis/CNA)

He expressed determination “to solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible”.

On his part, Bush said he appreciates Erdogan’s efforts to solve what he described as a long standing dispute.

Speaking through an interpreter, Erdogan stated “we spoke of the fact that we support the good will mission of the Secretary-General of the UN and we are willing to restart negotiations, taking the Annan Plan as a reference point”.

“I state once again that the Turkish side is determined for a solution, we will always be a step ahead of our Greek counterparts and we are determined to solve this as soon as possible”, he added.

Bush said Erdogan ‘briefed me on the Cyprus talks, and I appreciate his trying to find a solution, a solution to a long-standing dispute”.

Welcoming Erdogan at the Oval Office, Bush described the Turkish premier as a ''straight forward politician'' with whom he could have good cooperation. Referring to Iraq, Bush assured Erdogan that he supports the country's territorial integrity. The US president further said that he looked forward to the visit he will make to Istanbul in June to attend the NATO summit.

Discussions were to continue between the two leaders and their delegations, which include Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Turkey's National Economy Minister Ali Babacan, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, US National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, and the ambassadors of the two countries in Ankara and Washington, over lunch while before leaving the White House, Erdogan will meet Vice President Dick Cheney.

[07] US White House spokesman says Bush gov't satisfied with Ankara's Cyprus approach

WASHINGTON 29/01/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

McClellan referred to the meeting held between Erdogan and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in Davos, Switzerland, last Saturday, saying that during this meeting ''the Turkish prime minister showed a strong willingness to promote an agreement on the issue of Cyprus based on the secretary general's fair and balanced plan.''

The spokesman further said ''we urge our Greek Cypriot friends to agree to the completion of the settlement and, if necessary, to allow the secretary general to resolve the remaining issues and offer the solution for a referendum within a specific date, because we believe that such a settlement will bring greater stability and prosperity for all the inhabitants of Cyprus and in Turkey, as they are proceeding towards deepening their incorporation into Europe.''

He also reassured that the US is determined to make every effort to facilitate the finding of a solution to the Cyprus issue.

[08] Turkish PM says 'memorandum of understanding' must precede referendums on Cyprus

WASHINGTON 29/01/2004 (ANA - A. Ellis)

Erdogan stressed that this was the position he intended to present during his meeting with United States President George Bush on Wednesday.

At the National Committee for American Foreign Policy earlier this week, meanwhile, Erdogan had called for the involvement of ''an independent, impartial country ...with political weight to help resolve the issue'' in efforts for a Cyprus solution.

At the same time, the Turkish premier reiterated that Ankara wanted to continue negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue, taking the Annan plan as a ''reference point''.

Erdogan reiterated that achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem was not a condition for Turkey's accession to the European Union but Ankara, as a guarantor power for Cyprus, was in favor of a resolving the problem and would agree to carrying out referendums on a memorandum of understanding.

''We accept the good offices of the UN Secretary General and we take as a reference the Annan Plan and we would like negotiations to resume,'' he said.

Erdogan stressed that the leadership of the Turkish side was united on the need to focus all its efforts to achieve a friendly settlement of the problem and to ''stay one step ahead of the Greek side'' but accused the Greek-Cypriot side of ''negative behavior'' and also criticized the EU for what he called the ''economic embargo'' of the occupied north of the island.

At one point in his speech, the Turkish premier referred to the significant progress that had been achieved with regard to differences with Greece concerning the Aegean Sea, noting that bilateral talks were underway.

''The steps that have been made so far with regard to the Aegean are significant examples of the atmosphere of tolerance and understanding that has developed,'' he said, pointing to agreements increasing Aegean air corridors from two to 11 and the abolition of double taxation between Greece and Turkey.

He expressed certainty that relations with Greece will continue to improve steadily after the Greek general elections on March 7.

[09] Deputy FM meets Russian counterpart in Moscow for bilateral talks

MOSCOW 29/01/2004 (ANA - S. Aravopoulou)

Speaking at a joint press conference after their meeting and a working lunch in Moscow, the two ministers said there was strong forward momentum in bilateral relations and that their talks had helped settle both past outstanding issues and future moves and prospects.

During his visit to Moscow, which returns an earlier visit to Athens by Razov in October, Magriotis is to work on specifics of an Action Plan Protocol that will soon be signed by the two countries.

The talks focused mainly on stable cooperation for the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline and strategic bilateral cooperation.

The Russian side also responded positively to Greek requests for the return of files on Thessaloniki's Jewish community that were taken by Soviet forces from Germany and on the issue of moral vindication of Greeks living in Russia that were persecuted during the Stalinist era.

This last was raised in a letter from Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Greek side expressed readiness to meet Russian demands for the raising of a memorial for Russian refugees at the Kalamaria cemetery in Thessaloniki and promised to examine an agreement on visas for Russian nationals visiting Greece.

The visa will be based on a framework currently being developed by the German government, which has already met with approval in France and Italy.

The next scheduled meeting between Greek and Russian officials is on February 25 in Athens, just days before general elections in both countries in March, in order to discuss cooperation involving the Black Sea region.

[10] Greece to maintain high growth rates, needs fiscal improvement, EU Commission

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

This was the Commission's views and recommendations on Greece's updated stability program for 2003 that was submitted on December 1, 2003 and covers the period 2003-2006.

The EU's executive stressed that the Greek program was based on a macro-economic scenario of high GDP growth rates, justified by high public and private investments ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and continuing significant inflows of funds from a Third Community Support Framework program until 2006.

The Commission noted that the program envisaged a gradual improvement of the general government's accounts, with an expected shortfall of 1.4 percent of GDP in 2003 to gradually turn into a balanced budget by 2006. Referring to the so-called structural deficit, the Commission acknowledged that although it was expected to improve, Greece would continue showing a structural deficit of 0.9 percent of GDP by 2006.

The public debt index is expected to fall by more than 11 percentage points to 90.5 percent of GDP in 2006, compared with 2003, although the Commission said it was worried that fiscal balancing efforts, included in the program, were rolled over after 2004 and that economic policies were not fully compatible with EU's economic policy general directions for 2003.

The Commission said that despite a global economic slowdown, economic activity remained at high levels in Greece in 2003 (4.0 percent), but added that the country failed to achieve a goal of containing the public deficit to 0.9 percent of GDP largely because of excessive spending and current primary spending (wages and social transfers).

Greece's 2003 updated stability program is based on a macroeconomic scenario envisaging a 4.0 percent real GDP growth annually in the period 2003-2006, up 0.2 compared with the country's previous stability program in 2002. The Commission said that economic growth rate forecasts were optimistic.

Inflationary pressures persisted with the country's inflation rate exceeding the eurozone average by more than 1.5 percentage points, the report said.

Greece's updated program envisages reducing the public deficit and balancing the general government's accounts by 2006, but the Commission stressed that the country's structural deficit would be maintained (0.9 percent of GDP in 2006).

The Commission acknowledged an improving fiscal situation in Greece and forecast a significant reduction of primary spending in 2005 and 2006. The EU's executive stressed that achieving high primary surpluses was fundamental for a rapid decline of the country's public debt, expected to rise gradually to 5.3 percent of GDP in 2006 from 4.7 percent in 2003.

The Commission stressed it was necessary to speed-up procedures to reduce the country's public debt ahead of expected increased fiscal pressures as a result of an ageing population in Greece.

The Commission also stressed the need to solve the social security problem and forecast that pension spending increases in Greece would exceed the EU average in the next few years.

The European Commission's recommendation on Greece's updated stability program would be submitted for approval by a Council of Ministers' meeting on February 10.

[11] Gov’t discusses economy with employers, workers' unions

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meetings, Mr Christodoulakis praised economic performances of the country and repeated comments made by EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Mr Pedro Solbes, that Greek economic growth rates was not solely related with the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The Greek minister stressed that high growth rates had very deep roots and that would continue in the coming years.

Mr Christodoulakis noted that Mr Solbes' comments dismissed main opposition's criticism over the country's economic performance.

Unions to push for 8 per cent pay rises in 2004, GSEE says: Trade unions intend to press for 8 per cent pay rises during negotiations for the 2004 collective labor agreement, General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Christos Polyzogopoulos announced on Wednesday after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and government ministers.

Polyzogopoulos, who heads Greece's largest umbrella trade union organization, also underlined union demands for the general application of a 39-hour working week and a gradual reduction to a 35-hour working week.

In an indirect reference to proposals to combat youth unemployment made by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who stands to take over as leader of ruling PASOK, Polyzogopoulos stressed that the unions would not accept ''harmful changes to the social insurance system''.

Papandreou had proposed measures that would allow employers to hire young people without paying their social insurance contributions for up to four years.

Commenting on union demands for a 35-hour week, Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas said this was an issue to be settled between workers and employers, in which the government was not allowed to intervene.

He said the government did not plan to legislate for a reduced working week but was in favor of an agreement between the ''social partners'' to this end, provided it was accompanied by other measures to boost productivity and preserve competitiveness.

[12] Gov't withdraws amendments attached to spa bill, denies opposition claims

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

Discussion of the bill before a parliamentary committee was cut short earlier on Wednesday because there was insufficient time for it to be debated on and passed by the parliament plenum.

"Certain parties seem to imagine that all Parliamentary functions must be suspect, whether we are adding or withdrawing something from a bill. I recommend a little level-headedness," Tsohatzopoulos said.

He accused ND, in particular, of "employing tactics whereby it considered and pointed to any government initiative in Parliament as suspicious."

The minister also clarified that the amendments that had been withdrawn were also included in other bills that were being presented in Parliament at this time.

"Why this is suspect is something that must be explained by those making these claims. There is nothing suspicious or blameworthy," he stressed.

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, the minister's decision had been prompted by a desire to save time and pass the main body of the bill, whose contents were not disputed or controversial.

One article within the bill was disputed by the leader of the Coalition party Nikos Constantopoulos, however, who claimed that it changed the classification of the Kaiafa region - previously a protected zone of controlled housing development - in order to allow the construction of hotels and golf courses.

Constantopoulos presented a document from Hellenic Tourist Properties SA to the State Property Service to back up his claims and demanded explanations from the development ministry.

[13] Greek stocks drop 1.25 pct on Wednesday

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

All sector indices ended lower with the Insurnace, Textile and Holding sectors suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.48 percent, 2.38 percent and 2.28 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 1.44 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.79 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 1.49 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 278 to 44 with another 29 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of January 28 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,266 1,237

[14] Memory day for Greek Jews honored in Thessaloniki on Wednesday

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

Events got underway in the morning with wreaths being laid at the Jewish Holocaust memorial by Miller, Vizel, Central Israelite Council President Moisis Konstantinidis, German Ambassador Alper Spiegel, French Consul Roland Blatman, Russian Consul Aleksander Osvikan and Thessaloniki Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis, while on behalf of the New Democracy party leader a wreath was laid by Deputy Sotiris Kouvelas and on behalf of the mayor of Thessaloniki by municipal councillor Aspasidis.

The events continued at the amphitheatre of the Byzantine Instruments Museum, where the Jewish community's choir sang for those who died in the concentration camps and for peace.

The main speaker was Vizel, who was given the Nobel peace prize in 1986, who said he was very moved to be in Thessaloniki since the Greek Jews put to death in concentration camps were mainly from Thessaloniki and added that he had met many of them when he had been detained there with his family.

He also pointed out that it is unfair that the contribution and resistance of the Jews of Thessaloniki is not mentioned by history and that he himself felt it his duty to refer to them in his books.

Moreover, he said people must remember history, be aware of what is happening in the rest of the world and not be indifferent about the problems of other peoples.

Vizel also noted the importance of the decision taken by the Greek Parliament to establish January 27 as the Memory Day of Greek Jewish Martyrs and Heroes of the Holocaust.

Israel honors 9 Greeks for their efforts to save Jews during WWII: Israel’s ambassador to Athens on Tuesday presented that country’s influential “Righteous Among the Nations” award to nine Greek nationals who saved persecuted Jewish compatriots during the Nazi occupation of Greece (1941-44).

Amb. Ram Aviram presented the awards the same day as the recently enacted Greek Holocaust Memorial Day (Jan. 27), with a relevant event held at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) as well.

According to a press release by the Israeli embassy in Athens, the “Righteous among the Nations” awards are given by “Yad Vashem,” an institute created by the Israeli state to perpetuate the memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust. They are bestowed to individuals who risked their lives to save Jews during the Second World War.

More than 200 Greek citizens have been honored by the Yad Vashem Institute, including the late Archbishop of Greece during the occupation, Damaskinos, the Greek chief of police at the time, Angelos Evert, the Metropolitans of Zakynthos and Dimitrias at the time, Chrysostomos and Ioakeim, respectively, the one-time mayor of Zakynthos, Loukas Karrer, and many other unsung Greek heroes of World War II.

This year’s awardees are Dimos and Theodora Vevelekos; Michalis and Eleni Mavridis; Smaragda Sarafianou; Ioannis and Tasia Spentzos as well as Ilias and Angeliki Kazantzis.

The president of the Central Board of Greek Jewish Communities, Moses Konstantinis, also participated at the ceremony.

[15] Deputy FM refers to operation on Iraqi boy, hopes everything will go well

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

''Doctors successfully removed the bullet from the head of little Bakir, following a three-hour operation. The four-year-old was transferred immediately after the operation to an intensive neurosurgical unit where he will be staying over the next forty-eight hours. Although the coming hours are considered crucial, doctors have expressed their optimism over the full recovery of the child's health. The effort by the Greek state to transfer and treat little Bakir in our country has met with success. We are anxiously watching the development of little Bakir's state and we hope everything will go well,'' Loverdos said in his statement.

[16] Interior ministry issues immigration guide

Athens, 29/01/2004 (ANA)

The guide has been issued in five languages: Greek, English, Albanian, Arabic and Russian.

The publication provides considerable help for immigrants living in Greece and is available at all prefectural and regional immigration services, as well as at the interior ministry's immigration department.

[17] President Papadopoulos ready to negotiate with no conditions

STRASBOURG 29/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Papadopoulos said he has asked Kofi Annan to brief him on what exactly Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had told him at their meeting last week and expressed hope that recent moves on the part of Turkey would signal a real change and would not prove to be a public relations exercise.

He said during his meetings here which he described as very interesting and very helpful he had the opportunity to reiterate that ''we are ready at any time when the Secretary-General invites us to talks on the basis of his plan to respond and show the same good will which we've been showing for a long time."

''We have been waiting for nine months for some response from the Turkish side and for a change of their fixed attitude, which was that the Annan plan was dead and buried,'' he noted.

''Mr Erdogan's repeats in recent remarks his commitment to find a solution of the Cyprus problem by the 1st of May. These are very welcoming news. Erdogan says he is ready to comply with the Secretary-

General's prerequisites which is to put the finalized plan of Mr. Annan or the plan to be finalized to a referendum,'' the president said, adding that Erdogan also says that nothing can be put to a referendum before it is agreed.

Papadopoulos indicated that what Erdogan is suggesting is that a shortened document of fundamental principles, and not the Annan plan, should be agreed on and put to a referendum.

He said the Annan plan is a proposal for a comprehensive settlement and clarifies that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

''When we come to a proposal that we should sit down to negotiations and formulate a framework of general principles, fundamental principles, this is a completely different set of ideas. It is not a step forward. It is a step backwards. We are back in 1991 with the proposal of the set of ideas of Mr. Butros Ghali,'' Papadopoulos said and expressed hope that ''this confusion will be lifted when I know from the Secretary-General what Mr. Erdogan really means.''

Replying to questions, he said there are points in the Annan plan which are not to his liking but being a realist he knows that one does not start with a blank sheet of paper.

''We start from some events that happened in the past. A bitter solution is a price we are willing to pay on our side. But at least if we do that, let's make sure that we have a solution which will be durable and viable and which must be functional and it must enable Cyprus as a member of the EU as of May the 1st to function in the EU as EU full members function,'' Papadopoulos said.

Cyprus as an EU member, he pointed out, must have the ability to speak, to take positions, to bargain and to implement effectively the acquis communautaire over the whole of the territory of Cyprus.

The president said he could not tell at this stage whether it is possible to find a solution by May 1, when Cyprus joins the EU but stressed that ''if there is good will and we don't attempt a new negotiation on the fundamental principles, the map, the constitution as Mr. Erdogan is reported to have said, we can do it.''

''If we are going to embark on a new start of fundamental principles, I find it difficult to see what we failed to do over the past 30 years to be done in about 30 days,'' he added.

He also pledged that ''if the Secretary-General tomorrow asks for talks, I will be there. No conditions, no terms, nothing. I am not going to say let the Turkish side clarify its position. I'll be there.''

Answering another question, Papadopoulos said that the plan as it is now is not ready for signature. He referred to the example of the security arrangements, noting that the three guarantor powers have not yet reached an agreement on these.

Invited to say if he will ask for the replacement of UN Secretary-General's special advisor on Cyprus Alvaro De Soto, Papadopoulos said this is a side issue and that it is not very clear in his mind why prominence has been given to that.

The question of the mediator doesn't come in at all, he noted and said that De Soto is Annan's assistant and ''not our mediator.''

Asked about Russia's role in the Cyprus problem, Papadopoulos said that he knows from discussions, personal contacts and documents that Russia is keenly interested in what happens in Cyprus and is also very keenly interested in the mandate of the Secretary-General being preserved.

Earlier on Wednesday Papadopoulos met separately with Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil Robles and President of the Republic of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili.

After his press conference, he proceeded to the Human Rights Building where he was welcomed by President of the European Court of Human Rights Luzious Wildhaber, Cypriot Judge of the European Court of Human Rights Loukis Loukaides and Registrar of the European Court of Human Rights Paul Mahoney.

There he had a meeting with Wildhaber and after that departed for the Palais de l' Europe where he met with the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands Bernard Bot.

[18] Papadopoulos calls for PACE's support to end human rights violations in Cyprus

STRASBOURG 29/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing here on Wednesday the Assembly, President Papadopoulos also expressed the hope and wish that the several public statements that a new approach by Turkey on efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem reflects a reality and are not a ''public relations'' campaign.

At the same time, he expressed the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to participate in negotiations for a settlement, noting that ''a solution is urgently needed in Cyprus.''

''The Greek Cypriot side and my self are ready to respond positively to any invitation of the Secretary-General to a new round of talks on the basis of his plan with the aim of achieving a more functional and just solution which as a result will be durable and viable and will enable Cyprus play its full role in the European Union after its formal accession on May 1, 2004 as a constructive partner in the Union and not as a troublesome member,'' President Papadopoulos said.

As regards the ongoing grave violations of human rights in Cyprus by foreign armed forces, President Papadopoulos said ''we are still trying to establish the fate of all the missing persons, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who have disappeared during the Turkish military operation in 1974.''

In addition, he noted the violations of the few remaining enclaved persons in the occupied north. ''The clearest example is the persistent unjustifiable refusal of the right to secondary education of the children of the enclaved families without any reason given for such a denial.''

Noting that these rights form part of the judgment of the Court in the Fourth Interstate Case of Cyprus v. Turkey, the execution of which is entrusted to the CoE Committee of Ministers, President Papadopoulos stressed that once more ''we have been faced for the last three years, with the well known obstructionist tactics of the respondent state.''

''I call for the active support of this Assembly, which has always championed the cause of human rights in the hope of ending as soon as possible these violations which have persisted for the last thirty years,'' the Cypriot president said.

Noting that the only path to make the CoE more effective is to define and honor its basic principles, he noted that ''the Republic of Cyprus, for one, commits itself to put always its political expediencies to the test and subject to such fundamental principles and ideals.''

''Cyprus' vision for the Council of Europe is centered around our duty to safeguard and build upon the achievement of the unique system of the European Convention of Human Rights. We envisage a strong and refocused Council which unites the rich diversity of nationalities, languages cultures, ideals and ideas under a common European identity of shared values and standards.''

Noting that Cyprus remains fully committed to the realization of the goal to safeguard the integrity of the European Convention and preserve the coherence of its well elaborated system, President Papadopoulos stressed that ''failure to secure execution of the judgments of the Court within a reasonable time period severely undermines the achievements of this Council in this paramount objective of the past half century.''

To indicate in the clearest terms the acuteness of this problem the Cypriot president referred to Turkey's ''continuing, unjustified refusal to execute the Loizidou merits judgment of 1996, which in fact concerns the substantive decision of the Court on the violation of the Convention.''

''No state should be allowed under the pretext of various political considerations or political expediencies to deny the obligations accepted unconditionally upon membership,'' Papadopoulos concluded.

[19] PACE urges leaders in Cyprus to resume talks on basis of Annan plan

STRASBOURG 29/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In a resolution, adopted unanimously here on Wednesday on the Situation in Cyprus, PACE also called on Greece and Turkey to contribute to the resumption of the negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan and on Europe to reconsider how it could encourage Turkey's positive involvement in the search for a settlement by giving the Turkish authorities clearer guarantees for the opening of accession negotiations, once the appropriate criteria are fulfilled and this is confirmed by the European Union.

Furthermore it encouraged the UN Secretary-General to resume his efforts as soon as an opportunity arises and urged him to pay special attention to security issues on the island, ''which are the main source of mutual mistrust and to embark on negotiations with the flexibility required for the purpose.''

As regards the missing persons in Cyprus, the Assembly called on Turkey to ''cooperate effectively in the efforts to ascertain the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus and to fully implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Cyprus v. Turkey (2001) pertaining to the tragic problem of the missing persons and their families.''

The resolution urged the Turkish Cypriot ''authorities'' to ''cooperate in the efforts for establishing the fate of the missing persons and to respond positively to the latest appeal of the Secretary-General of the United Nations from December 3, 2003 for the reactivation of the Committee of Missing Persons, which the President of the Republic of Cyprus has already accepted by his letter of 14th December 2003.''

All amendments tabled by the Rapporteur Matyas Eorsi on behalf of the Political Affairs Committee were adopted, while others tabled by other members of the Assembly were withdrawn.

In a recommendation, also adopted unanimously, PACE welcomed the initiatives of the Secretary-General and the activities of the Council of Europe aimed at contributing to the reconciliation of the Cypriot communities and at facilitating, in the framework of the efforts of the international community, a fair, more functional, viable and durable resolution to the Cyprus problem and recommended to the Committee of Ministers to envisage a more active contribution on behalf of the Council of Europe to the search for a settlement in Cyprus.

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