Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis inspects progress in construction of Rio-Antirrio bridge

[02] FM and UN secretary general hold telephone conversation on Cyprus issue

[03] Cyprus issue to be included in talks between Annan, Bush on Tuesday

[04] ND leader Karamanlis discusses Cyprus, Med, with UN former chief Ghali

[05] Greek minister says Ankara must refer to Annan plan and not to 'realities'

[06] Karamanlis attacks opponent Papandreou in speech to ND youth section

[07] Vote for PASOK or ND 'like shooting yourself', KKE leader Papariga warns

[08] Constantopoulos says elections will be 'crucial for the Left'

[09] Poll shows ND leading PASOK by 4 pc, but Papandreou preferred as prime minister

[10] Gov't denies 'der Spiegel' report on Leopard tank purchase

[11] FM and PASOK leadership candidate announces measures for small, medium firms

[12] Alternate FM discusses candidacy of Thessaloniki to host EXPO 2008

[13] Greek stocks end mixed to higher on Monday

[14] Olympic Games timing system presented to press

[15] Greece, Russia discuss Athens 2004 Olympic Games security

[16] Larissa residents stage protest over dangerous level crossing

[17] Intercity bus falls into ravine, driver and three injured

[18] Athens mayor awards city medal to Boutros-Ghali

[19] Cyprus National Council convenes, to meet again Feb. 9

[20] Cyprus FM meets Ahern, Cowen

[01] PM Simitis inspects progress in construction of Rio-Antirrio bridge

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Simitis and a number of government ministers arrived at the worksite of the Greek-French consortium 'Gefyra' at Antirrio at 11:00, from which side the access ramp and half the span of the suspension bridge have been completed.

The premier said the project was progressing at record speeds and was expected to be ready on time, while the Olympic Torch relay is scheduled to pass over it in August.

Once complete, the bridge will span the entrance of the Corinthian Gulf and connect Greece's third-largest city Patras and its sea port with Aetoloakarnania and northwestern Greece.

It will allow vehicles to traverse the distance from Rio to Antirrio in about four minutes, greatly reducing the time currently needed for crossings by car ferry and also eliminating problems caused by bad weather.

The bridge is considered a pioneering project from the technical side, being among the longest suspension bridges in the world and having the longest deck span, as well as the deepest foundations.

Other complications are the poor quality of the subsoil and the lack of firm bedrock, as well as the strong and frequent seismic activity in the area and the need to take tectonic movements into account, which create a unique set of technical specifications.

Thanking the former and current public works ministers involved in initiating and carrying out the bridge project, Costas Laliotis and Vasso Papandreou respectively, Simitis noted that the bridge will act as a crucial link between the ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa and form part of a developmental transport axis for western Greece that would mirror those to the east of the country, along with projects such as the Aktio-Preveza undersea tunnel.

He predicted that the bridge will help fuel development in western Greece, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities in tourism.

[02] FM and UN secretary general hold telephone conversation on Cyprus issue

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

According to foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, Papandreou briefed Annan on the Greek side's approach to the issue of Cyprus, reiterating the readiness of Athens and Nicosia for the resumption of negotiations based on the secretary general's plan.

Papandreou pointed to certain requirements in the direction of the plan's workability and compatibility with the acquis communautaire. He also stressed to the secretary-general that it is difficult for the Greek Cypriot side to accept the terms he has set for the resumption of the process.

''We support an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem. Negotiations must get underway and, provided progress is achieved and an agreement is reached on certain substantive issues, then the two communities can agree to the formation of a political framework which shall provide the UN secretary-general with the possibility of filling in vacuums in certain secondary issues,'' Papandreou said.

He further said ''provided the negotiations get underway and certain main issues are resolved, then the referendum can also take place,'' but expressed reservations to Annan as to if and to what degree the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side also accept the terms he has set.

According to the same sources, Annan himself told the foreign minister that he is not convinced that the Turkish Cypriot side agrees with his terms, informing him that he will be communicating with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the coming days.

Papandreou also reiterated to Annan the position of Athens and Nicosia in favor of Alvaro de Soto remaining at the post of the secretary-general's special representative for the Cyprus issue.

Referring to the issue of security, Papandreou explained to Annan that it is not possible for negotiations to take place during the election period and it should take place after the March 7 elections, since the government to emerge will have a fresh popular mandate.

[03] Cyprus issue to be included in talks between Annan, Bush on Tuesday

NEW YORK 03/02/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

According to the UN chief's spokesman, Annan will also meet during his one-day visit to Washington with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush's National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and senior members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

White House spokesman Scott McLennan said Annan will discuss the reconstruction of Iraq, the Cyprus issue, developments in Liberia and the Middle East issue.

[04] ND leader Karamanlis discusses Cyprus, Med, with UN former chief Ghali

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The two men agreed on the necessity for a structured Mediterranean policy, while they also discussed in detail the developments in the Cyprus issue.

Karamanlis expressed the wish that Ghali would be in Athens for the Olympic Games this August.

[05] Greek minister says Ankara must refer to Annan plan and not to 'realities'

NICOSIA 03/02/2004 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

Speaking during a Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) program, Magriotis said that ''Turkey is compelled to enter talks despite the fact that it has not yet committed itself on the contents of the talks.''

The Greek minister said that statements made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ''create euphoria but in no case do they constitute a commitment.''

For this reason, he said, ''we welcome the statements (by Erdogan) but there is no need for the Turkish side to be one step ahead of Greece and Cyprus. What suffices is that we are in the same direction, the same footing, and then there will be a speedy and good solution,'' Magriotis said.

The Greek minister said that Ankara must commit itself that the plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan ''is the basis for negotiations and not the questionable statements by the Turkish prime minister regarding the 'realities' in Cyprus, combined with the Annan plan, which are contradictory, and we know what Turkey means behind these words.''

Magriotis added that ''European diplomats and the international community know full well Turkey's tactics.''

The Greek deputy foreign minister concluded his two-day visit to Cyprus with meetings with Parliament President Demetris Christophias, Interior Minister Andreas Christou and representatives of Cypriot political parties.

[06] Karamanlis attacks opponent Papandreou in speech to ND youth section

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou is currently Greece's foreign minister and the sole candidate for ruling PASOK's leadership in a party-wide vote to be held next Sunday. He has effectively taken over the task of taking the party to elections from outgoing prime minister and party leader Costas Simitis.

''There are those today who base an entire communications strategy on the belief that young people are not mature enough, are not steady enough in their opinions and can be snared through televised images, style and momentary advertising impressions,'' Karamanlis said.

''I refuse to treat you in this way,'' he stressed, noting that young people were open to new things but retained a critical view, looking behind the advertiser's image to seek out the true paths forward.

''This is how I see you and this is why I don't address you with empty slogans but with positions and arguments,'' he added.

Focusing on unemployment, which he said had taken on explosive dimensions, he said his government's policy for tackling joblessness would focus on a new economic policy for rapid and strong growth, with measures to boost enterprise, facilitate recruitment of staff and increase productivity.

''There are no magic solutions, only realistic choices, and our economic strategy for development will bear fruit in the long term,'' he added.

For youth unemployment, in particular, Karamanlis said that young people registered as unemployed with the OAED employment organization would continue to be considered dependents for an additional two years, thus making their families eligible for tax relief, while graduates unable to find work will be inducted into special OAED programs.

Turning to education, ND's leader said that so-called free education was a sham, since families were spending vast sums on extra tuition to get their children through university-entrance exams, teach them foreign languages and send them abroad to study, with an estimated 65,000 young Greeks currently registered as students in foreign countries.

He also said that universities were suffering from a lack of investment in education and were at risk of becoming mechanisms for the mass-production of degrees with no value on the job market.

Karamanlis underlined that the foundation of non-state, non-profit universities in Greece had been one of his party's goals for several years, while stressing that his first concern was to upgrade state universities by providing funds that will allow them to operate freely and creatively in response to the needs of society and the economy.

Heaping criticism on the government's record regarding the development of new technologies in Greece, meanwhile, Karamanlis noted that these were now an export industry for India while Greece did not even have cheap and decent Internet access. He also stressed that computers were a vital tool in modern education and that all secondary school children should have the opportunity to work and learn on their own individual computer, pledging to purchase 150,000 new computers for the second year of high school in his government's first year.

In addition, he announced that an ND government would undertake to finance crash courses in computers for those wishing to gain these necessary skills, while projecting that the total cost of the new hardware for the first year would not exceed 75 million euros, less than 0.05 per cent of GDP.

Lastly, he pledged measures to reduce discrimination against women in the workplace and the reduction of army service to six months but with a new organization for the army from that existing at present.

[07] Vote for PASOK or ND 'like shooting yourself', KKE leader Papariga warns

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to workers at the Elefsis Shipyards near Piraeus, Papariga accused ND of not having changed in any way and of exploiting the problems of the people.

As for the ruling PASOK party, she said that nothing was changing with the change of party leader, calling it ''a right-wing party with a conservative policy''.

For those reasons, she called on workers to ''ruin the plans of the two-party system'' by reinforcing the KKE which ''steadily defends the rights of the workers''.

[08] Constantopoulos says elections will be 'crucial for the Left'

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Addressing a gathering at the Zappeion Mansion in Athens, Constantopoulos said that ''the tickets indicate the great rally of Left-wing forces,'' adding that the Coalition of the Radical Left ''has already given birth to great expectations, not only as a simple electoral formation, but as a first step for the great issue of renewing the Left in its entirety.''

[09] Poll shows ND leading PASOK by 4 pc, but Papandreou preferred as prime minister

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The poll was conducted between January 26-31 with 1,600 respondents using a questionnaire and a ballot box.

According to the poll, PASOK gets 35.3 percent, ND 39.3, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 6.2, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 2.8, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 1.7 and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.6.

On the question of which party is expected to win the election, ND gets 51.3 and PASOK 31.9.

Respondents also give Papandreou 47.3 percent and ND leader Costas Karamanlis 42 on the question of who of the two is most suitable to become prime minister.

[10] Gov't denies 'der Spiegel' report on Leopard tank purchase

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the magazine's report was not based on fact and did not offer any proof, while stressing that everything concerning the purchase had followed the letter of the law with absolute transparency.

''Anyone who thinks they have a complaint to file should go ahead,'' he added.

The contract for the purchase of the tanks was signed by Greece with the German company Krauss Maffei Wegmann in March last year. The total cost of the deal was 1.7 billion euros, representing a finalized price of 8.18 million euros per tank.

The first tanks will begin being delivered in 2005.

[11] FM and PASOK leadership candidate announces measures for small, medium firms

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The measures are focused on lessening the tax burden and simplifying the taxation status currently governing SMEs, decreasing the cost and time required to establish an SME, simplifying the bankruptcy procedure, funding SMEs with national and EU funds and strengthening support centers for SMEs.

Papandreou referred to the main principles of PASOK's economic policy after the March 7 election, stressing that it will be based on maintaining high growth rates, decreasing unemployment, increasing employment, attracting foreign investments, upgrading the tourism sector and lifting distortions with the aim of strengthening the Greek economy's competitiveness.

The foreign minister also placed emphasis on the implementation of economic foreign policy. Referring to foreign policy in general, he said the prospect of permanent and good neighborliness with Turkey is realistic, adding that with the foreign policy exercised ''we succeeded in remaining unharmed by crises.''

[12] Alternate FM discusses candidacy of Thessaloniki to host EXPO 2008

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

Yiannitsis referred to the advantages offered by Thessaloniki for such an international event. He said holding EXPO 2008 in the city would contribute to the consolidation of political stability and economic development and the wider opening of Greece and the entire region to the international scene.

The minister also said Thessaloniki, apart from its long history in organizing trade exhibitions, has excellent infrastructure, as well as experience in preparing and holding major events such as the recent European Union summit.

[13] Greek stocks end mixed to higher on Monday

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.10 percent to end at 2,435.11 points, off the day's highs of 2,457 points. Turnover was a moderate 140.5 million euros.

The Food-Beverage and Bank sector scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (0.68 percent and 0.63 percent, respectively), while the IT and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (2.14 percent and 1.22 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.29 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 50 index fell 0.48 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.35 percent higher.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 157 to 139 with another 58 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 2 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,256 1,227

[14] Olympic Games timing system presented to press

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The ''kaleidoscope'', as Swatch terms this ''experience'' was presented for the first time in Europe on Monday and it will ''travel'' to all the Olympic cities in Greece.

Swatch also presented its Olympic Collection of watches at the ''DAIS'' sports center on Monday. The new models are inspired by the culture and arts of Ancient Greece.

[15] Greece, Russia discuss Athens 2004 Olympic Games security

MOSCOW 03/02/2004 (ANA - C. Tomaras)

The Greek delegation, which arrived in the Russian capital on Sunday, is compromised, among others, by Greek Police chief Fotis Nasiakos, Greek National Intelligence Service chief Pavlos Apostolidis and Athens 2004 Security Department Director Vassilis Constantinidis.

The Russian side focused its attention on the phenomenon of terrorist suicide attacks by Chechen separatists and said they would give all necessary information and help on this issue, based on their vast experience.

The two sides agreed to cooperate on issues relating to the stay of the Russian squad for the Games.

[16] Larissa residents stage protest over dangerous level crossing

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The woman's third daughter is in hospital, in critical condition.

It is a longstanding request of residents that the lines be made underground, though OSE has balked at the cost. Following Sunday's accident, the rail organization has pledged to place bars and warning lights at the crossing in question.

[17] Intercity bus falls into ravine, driver and three injured

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

The driver and three male passengers were injured in the fall, while the rest of the passengers escaped with minor bruises.

Police investigating the causes of the accident said that the particular section of road is often hazardous in winter due to the high altitude and frequently icy conditions.

[18] Athens mayor awards city medal to Boutros-Ghali

Athens, 03/02/2004 (ANA)

[19] Cyprus National Council convenes, to meet again Feb. 9

NICOSIA 03/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said after the Council meeting that the members were informed on President Tassos Papadopoulos' recent meetings with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and exchanged views, evaluations and speculations on the current developments and prospects.

Chrysostomides also confirmed that President Papadopoulos received a second letter by US President George Bush, regarding efforts to resume the Cyprus peace dialogue.

In his statement, the spokesman said during ''today's meeting chaired by President of the Republic Papadopoulos fully informed the members of the Council on his recent contacts and discussions with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Brussels.''

He said the Council members ''exchanged views, evaluations and speculations regarding prospects on the Cyprus problem.''

[20] Cyprus FM meets Ahern, Cowen

NICOSIA 03/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to CNA from Dublin where he holds meetings with high rank Irish officials, Iacovou called on the Irish EU Presidency to closely monitor the situation in Cyprus especially during this phase.

On Monday Iacovou met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and his counterpart Foreign Minister Brian Cowen and discussed the Cyprus problem and issues concerning the Irish Presidency of the EU.

He said he briefed Cowen on Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos' meeting with and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Brussels and the Irish FM informed him over Ahern's meeting with Annan the day before.

''We exchanged views on these two meetings and I called upon the Irish Presidency to be alert, to closely monitor the Cyprus issue

during this phase, to be in contact with the UN SG and the European Commission, since European documents provide for the involvement of the Commission for a Cyprus settlement that is in accordance with the EU principles,'' Iacovou said.

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