Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou outlines vision for Greece's future to PASOK congress

[02] PASOK party publicizes program proclamation

[03] ND leader gives television interview, certain of election victory

[04] President accepts government's request for election on March 7

[05] PM Simitis chairs meeting on Cyprus issue, Cyprus president in Athens on Monday

[06] EU to send special team to negotiations for Cyprus solution

[07] Yiannitsis to meet on Monday with Diouf who will sign Olympic Truce statement

[08] Simitis, Karamanlis convey condolences to Putin over terrorist attack in Moscow

[09] Greek economy: weekly review

[10] Thessaloniki Stockmarket Center officials conduct seminars in Jordan

[11] Greek stocks slightly lower in seesaw trading session

[12] Stone-built bridge in protected Zagorochoria district collapses

[13] European organization to be headquarted in Iraklion, Crete

[14] Cyprus Spokesman says government does not wish to comment on developments in the Cyprus issue

[15] European parliament speakers welcome efforts to resume Cyprus talks

[01] Papandreou outlines vision for Greece's future to PASOK congress

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

He stressed the sense of great and historic responsibility that came with his candidacy to lead the party.

He also referred to his predecessors Andreas Papandreou and Costas Simitis, who he said had created the foundations of modern Greece and changed the country's image and progress.

Referring to the impressions he had gained during his tour of Greece, Papandreou said there was a clear message from all parts of the country for change and that he was ready to take on the responsibility of leading the country to a new or third major upheaval, after those brought about by Andreas Papandreou in 1981 and Simitis in 1996.

Focusing on developments surrounding the Cyprus problem, Papandreou noted that the electorate would have to decide, among other things, to whom it would entrust the country's foreign policy at the elections on March 7.

He accused main opposition New Democracy of ''phobic introversion'' and of lacking faith in the country's foreign policy and said he was seeking the people's mandate so that there could be a solution to the Cyprus problem simultaneously with Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

Outlining his ideas for participatory politics, meanwhile, the foreign minister said the time of active, participating citizens had arrived and pledged that ordinary citizens would be brought to the ''front lines of the battle for the new Greece''.

These active citizens were the ones wanted by PASOK, whereas ND wanted passive citizens that were at the mercy of mechanisms, he added.

''This is the difference between the progressive and conservative faction,'' he said.

He promised a small, flexible and effective government and said that he would not have a favored group of ''captains'' around him.

''I did not have, I do not have and I will not have a group, a company or a court. I see you all as the same and I want you all to be equal,'' he said to thunderous applause.

He also promised a greater role for secondary-level local government, more parliamentary control and representation and stronger municipal authorities that would take over all provision of services to citizens in the new era, supported by a substantive redistribution of funds and responsibilities.

He outlined four key goals for the future:

The first was investment in human potential, with priority on employment and education; secondly, a redistribution of income in favor of the economically weaker classes; thirdly, extending the country's productive ability; and fourthly, macroeconomic stability through a stable tax system, with new tax and developmental incentives.

Regarding ideas for a minimum guaranteed income, Papandreou pledged that he would guarantee with minimum terms in income, a social salary that made the life of citizens worth living.

He accused ND of being trapped by its choices and the contradictions of its past, between rampant neoliberalism and a populist, autocratic right.

The future leader of PASOK also dwelt on the changes that would have to be made within the ruling party, stressing that ''new eras and new cycles cannot be begun with the old party structures.''

''We must look deep inside ourselves, see what we are and overcome it,'' he said.

He said the party would not have the structure of a classic organizational machine but had to be seen more as a nursery for ideas and initiatives that would interact and cross-pollinate one another.

Stressing that the party had not been overtaken by history but was making history, Papandreou noted that it had lost ground when it had remained stationary and lost contact with society and fresh ideas, calling on its members to ''open their closed walls for the forces of the new era''.

He stressed that, unlike the right, the democratic faction was not afraid to allow ordinary citizens to participate actively and directly in politics.

He asked that the vote for party president on Sunday be tantamount to a mandate to begin the process of changing the party, society and the state in a series of three major reforms.

The first of these will be radical changes in the state structure so as to establish a new relationship of trust with citizens, transparency, clear and simple rules and decentralization.

The second set of reforms would concern the safety net for pensioners, disabled and unemployed, in order to ensure their dignity and respect.

The third reforms would concern investment in people, education and culture.

PASOK congress approves change of charter, Papandreou candidacy: PASOK's extraordinary congress on Friday unanimously approved the candidacy of George Papandreou for party president. Earlier, the 4,650 delegates had voted in favor of amendments to the party charter proposed by Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis that allowed the president to be elected directly by PASOK members and friends, as well as the party program for 2004-2008.

The changes to the charter included those to article 18 that outlined the rights of PASOK members, giving them the right to elect the president of the movement, and article 22 giving 'friends of the Movement' the same rights as members in terms of electing the president.

Specifically, ''friends of the Movement'' are considered those who are above 16 years of age and are listed in the registers of local PASOK organizations.

In addition, the congress approved changes to article 45 regarding the selection of candidates for party president. This is done by the congress and every delegate has a right to stand as a candidate provided he is backed by one fifth of the delegates.

Finally, article 49 calls for the president of the Movement to be elected directly by the members and friends of the Movement. The election of the president in the first election requires 50 per cent + 1 of valid ballots, which include blank ballots. If a president is not elected in the first round, then the election will be repeated between the two front-runners. In this case, the candidate with the most votes is elected President.

If there are only two candidates there is only one round and the one with the most votes is elected president. If there is only one candidate, then he is elected if he receives 50 percent + 1 of valid ballots.

The charter also outlines the functions of the president of the Movement, who is empowered to exercise these in the framework of the decisions of the party congress and the Central Committee. The president of the Movement represents the Movement at all events abroad and domestically. He chairs the Executive Bureau of the Central Committee and makes proposals to this, to the Central Committee and the Congress regarding the ideological and political line of the party. In addition, he is empowered to decide a position on urgent issues when it is difficult to convene the Executive Bureau of the Central Committee. He also chairs the National Council.

Introducing the proposed changes, Chrysohoidis said the election of the party president by Greek society was "the birth act of the third change".

He admitted that past party practices had led to entrenched relationships and exclusions and stressed that the party had to be open to citizens and society.

"An open party does not end where the list of its members ends but embraces that part that wants to support its, which is interested and that wants to identify with our political proposal," he said.

Arriving at the Olympic Weight-lifting Center in Nikaia, where the PASOK congress is taking place, Papandreou said this was a very moving day for him, since it was a day of huge responsibility and decisions for the struggle ahead.

He sat in the seats of the PASOK youth section, where he was enthusiastically welcomed by the young members of the party.

Simitis address: Prime minister Costas Simitis, who announced in January that he was stepping down from the party leadership, praised Papandreou in his final address from the PASOK president's podium.

Giving an account of his two terms in office as prime minister, an ''eight-year period that changed Greece'', Simitis said the results of those years of efforts were now tangible: economic stability, Greece's prestige in the European Union and the world, national self-confidence, and an attitude of organization and planning that was becoming prevalent in the Greek society.

He stressed the continuity of the work accomplished over the past 8 years, which served as the groundwork for the ''new beginning'' promised by Papandreou.

''All that we achieved, all that we planned, all that we implemented, are directly linked with our major program effort for the years 2004-2008. We are building on what we have created,'' Simitis said, adding that the next step was to ''improve and correct'' the policies and renew the faces, since the 'arrogance of permanency' was a ''conservative attitude''.

He said that PASOK had proven that it was able to affect such a renewal, noting that it had done so in 1996 and was doing so again today, and adding his conviction that PASOK would emerge the winner in the March 7 general elections and that George Papandreou would be the new prime minister.

Opposition parties criticize FM's address at PASOK congress: Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, commenting on the address made at the ruling PASOK party's congress on Friday by Foreign Minister and PASOK leadership candidate George Papandreou, said ''Mr. Papandreou has forgotten the 'new attitude' he had promised.''

Roussopoulos added that Papandreou ''spoke with dividing lines terms and attacked the Personal Data Protection Authority. Indeed, it is unprecedented for a person seeking to become prime minister to attack an independent and constitutionally safeguarded institutional body and to be applauded by his congress.''

Referring to the same issue, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said ''behind an incoherent speech, emerged PASOK's class policy in favor of plutocracy, as is shown by the explicit references of George Papandreou to a decrease in taxation for capital and to the extension of flexible labor.''

The press office of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology said ''a simple and easy conclusion is drawn from today's travesty of a congress. PASOK, with one act, is turning into a formal and leader-dominated centrist party.''

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said ''by invoking the past, which the new leader had damned until recently, and the 'modernizing' leadership group of PASOK in general, they are trying to conceal the transmutation of today's PASOK to a neo-liberal and conservative antipopular party.''

MEP questions whether vote for PASOK president is constitutional: Coalition Euro-deputy Alekos Alavanos on Friday raised questions about the procedure being adopted by the ruling PASOK party for the election of a new president and whether this was entirely constitutional.

He was responding to a decision by the independent Authority for the Protection of Personal Data, which said that the recording of 'friends of PASOK' during the election of the new president, especially just before a general election, was contrary to article 52 of the Constitution and EU directives for protecting individuals from the processing and distribution of their personal data.

[02] PASOK party publicizes program proclamation

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

PASOK's text, termed ''a contract of confidence and hope and of creation and realism'', is aimed at creating ''a confident Greece, which shall be the owner of its future and of a just, open and free society'', and stresses that ''our strength is the emancipated, responsible and creative citizen.''

The proclamation also refers to the creation of a global society ''which shall express the values of socialism which are always opportune'' and the position is confirmed that ''our future lies in the political unification of Europe.''

Five targets are set out in PASOK's proclamation for the next four years.

Investing in the human being and priority in employment, human security and social cohesion and social policy, widening the production capacity on a competitive and viable basis, macroeconomic stability and the developmental managing of funds and a new model of governance.

On the question of Cyprus, the proclamation stresses ''we steadfastly support the efforts of the UN and the good offices of Secretary General Kofi Annan, whose revised plan constitutes a basis for negotiations.''

Greek-Turkish relations are also highlighted in the proclamation and an account is made in it of efforts to decrease tension and for the creation of a climate of mutual trust in bilateral relations, while Greek support for Turkey's European orientation is reiterated on the conditions which have been set.

[03] ND leader gives television interview, certain of election victory

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the main body of his government and its structure will be composed of people of his own generation, adding that he had a duty and obligation towards history and his conscience to place a member such as former party leader Miltiades Evert to head the party's state candidate ticket.

The ND leader said renewal has been achieved in practice in the party as regards both his person and the deputies who have been elected.

Karamanlis went on to say that cases concerning armaments programs and the Stock Exchange will be probed, noting that he does not desire a witch hunt or endless penal procedures, if such responsibilities appear, but added that if illegalities are proved in armaments programs then they will be annulled.

He called on Foreign Minister and ruling PASOK party leadership candidate George Papandreou to accept his invitation for a televised debate and a discussion with the other party leaders, expressing the wish that there will be a political confrontation as of Monday.

Karamanlis said the election of Papandreou as PASOK's leader had been a decision taken in advance and underlined that there were problems regarding the issue of friends of PASOK voting, while queries exist over the fact there is only one candidate.

He went on to say that Papandreou must clarify whether or not he agrees with the policy applied and highlight the different policy he believes in and mentioned that Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Papandreou are evidently not the same people as characters.

Karamanlis also reiterated his commitment that pensions will not be decreased and pensioning-off ages will not be increased.

[04] President accepts government's request for election on March 7

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

Simitis addressed the letter to President Stephanopoulos on February 5, requesting the dissolution of Parliament on February 11, the holding of an election on March 7 and the convening of the new Parliament on March 18 to enable the new government to have a fresh popular mandate for moves regarding a solution to the issue of Cyprus.

In his letter of reply dated February 6, President Stephanopoulos accepted the proposal for the dissolution of Parliament, the holding of the election and the convening of the new Parliament on the above dates.

[05] PM Simitis chairs meeting on Cyprus issue, Cyprus president in Athens on Monday

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

The meeting was attended by Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis and government officials.

Yiannitsis attended the meeting because he will be succeeding George Papandreou at the post of foreign minister after the election of the ruling PASOK party's new leader.

The government reiterated the readiness of Athens and Nicosia to attend talks for a solution to the Cyprus issue based on the Annan plan.

The further handling of the issue will be decided at a working meeting at the Maximos Mansion on Monday, with the participation of Simitis and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

[06] EU to send special team to negotiations for Cyprus solution

BRUSSELS 07/02/2004 (ANA - A. Simatos)

Speaking during a press conference immediately after his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Verheugen also stressed the current good climate in EU-Turkey relations.

The Commissioner said the EU team was taking part with the approval of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and would collaborate with him closely in order to assist in forging a Cyprus solution that was compatible with EU laws and practices.

He also expressed satisfaction at the resumption of talks and hope that the opportunity for a solution would be taken advantage of, so that a reunited Cyprus joined the Community on May 1.

In response to questions, Verheugen noted that Annan's terms were clear and that the UN chief would not have called a new round of talks without adequate guarantees that these terms would be met.

''In consequence, I am optimistic,'' he added.

He said the EU would contribute in every way to facilitate the negotiations and pointed out that the Union was prepared to provide up to 300 million euros for the economic development of the north part of the island if a solution were achieved.

The European Commission's only terms were that such a solution should not be contrary to the principles on which the EU was founded and that it lead to a single state with a single voice that would not obstruct decision-making on a European level due to internal differences, he added.

Verheugen called on the two communities on the island, the three guarantor powers, the EU and the United States to unite in efforts to solve the problem, stressing that Europe could not contain divided countries in the modern age.

[07] Yiannitsis to meet on Monday with Diouf who will sign Olympic Truce statement

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

A foreign ministry announcement on Friday said that later in the day Diouf will sign the statement of world personalities in support of the Olympic Truce.

[08] Simitis, Karamanlis convey condolences to Putin over terrorist attack in Moscow

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

Simitis in his condolences said:''On behalf of the Greek government and myself, I express my revulsion over the hideous terrorist attack on the Moscow underground which caused a great number of victims among the citizens. Please accept my sincere feelings of sympathy to you and the people of Russia and particularly to the families of the victims.''

Karamanlis expressed his revulsion over the terrorist attack and expressed is sympathy to the families of the victims.

FM sends condolences over terrorist attack in Moscow: Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis on Friday condemned ''in the strongest manner'' a terrorist attack on the Moscow underground earlier in the day which killed tens of people.

A bomb exploded on a Moscow underground train early Friday killing at least 39 passengers and wounding more than 100, according to latest reports.

Beglitis expressed Greece's condolences to the Russian people, government and to the families of the victims.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou sent his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart Igor Ivanov.

The Russian authorities blame Chechen terrorists for the blast.

[09] Greek economy: weekly review

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

Main opposition New Democracy unveiled its economic program while ruling PASOK presented its program for small- to medium-sized businesses. Both major parties criticized each other’s proposals, whereas the smaller parties equally criticized both.

In other developments, the number of construction permits increased by 2.4 percent between Jan-Aug 2003 in comparison with the corresponding period in 2002.

Meanwhile, a new Athens Stock Exchange board of directors was sworn-in this week, following a decision taken by an extraordinary general assembly on Dec. 19. The Capital Markets Commission has approved of the new board members. Panayiotis Alexakis will serve as the president.

In other news, Greece's composite industrial production index, including mining production, manufacturing, electricity, natural gas and water production, rose 5.5 percent in September 2003, compared with the same month in the previous year -- an increase of 1.4 percent in the January-September period, the national statistics service announced.

The mining production index rose 0.5 percent in September, the manufacturing index rose 2 percent in the same period (reflecting increased performances by food-beverage, chemicals, oil products and metal products), while the electricity-natural gas-water production index soared 16.3 percent reflecting increased production and distribution of electricity and natural gas.

Finally, more passengers passed through the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport of Athens in 2003 than they did in 2002. According to the airport’s figures, 12.3 million passengers used Greece’s largest airport in 2003 – a 3.6 percent increase from 2002. The number of flights from the airport also increased by 6.7 percent.

[10] Thessaloniki Stockmarket Center officials conduct seminars in Jordan

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

The seminars covered items related to the proper operation of capital markets in accordance with the EU standards, derivative products, the principles of corporate management, and international accounting standards.

An overview of the Greek capital market was also presented during a special day-seminar.

The Jordanian stockmarket is considered one of the most important markets of the Arab world, with more than 125 listed companies and a daily turnover of some 20 million euro, approximately 500,000 registered investors and 42 stock brokerages.

[11] Greek stocks slightly lower in seesaw trading session

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

The general index fell by 0.32 percent to end at 2,445.16 points, with turnover a moderate 169.1 million euros.

All sector indices ended lower, with the Constuction, Holdings and Insurance sectors scoring the biggest percentage losses of the day (2.33 percent, 2.21 percent and 1.40 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped by 0.16 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.11 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell by 1.89 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 246 to 69 with another 41 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 6 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,262 1,234

[12] Stone-built bridge in protected Zagorochoria district collapses

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

The bridge suddenly crumbled on Wednesday night, becoming little more than a pile of rubble in a matter of minutes, its demise apparently hastened by recent heavy rains.

The single-arch stone bridge, built in the 18th century, had been showing signs of wear for quite some time and some maintenance work had been carried out on it but not sufficient to prevent further deterioration. Despite having been alerted to the danger of the monument's imminent collapse, the signs of which had been apparent since the year 2000, authorities failed to intervene to save the historic monument on time.

[13] European organization to be headquarted in Iraklion, Crete

Athens 07/02/2004 (ANA)

The decision for setting up the headquarters in Iraklion had been announced by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

[14] Cyprus Spokesman says government does not wish to comment on developments in the Cyprus issue

NICOSIA 07/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

''The National Council convenes tomorrow and will examine the whole issue. I have nothing to announce and I hope that you understand the reasons for this and the fact that no useful goal is being served with a public discussion or any other public statements and announcements,'' the spokesman told his daily press briefing.

Invited to say whether the government is in position to express its satisfaction with the fact that negotiations will resume, the spokesman reiterated he would not comment anything about the Cyprus problem.

He also refrained from commenting statements by European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana noting that all statements have been noted and if necessary the National Council will discuss them.

Invited to say when President Tassos Papadopoulos will leave Cyprus and how long he will be staying in New York, the spokesman said he hopes all details will be announced on Saturday.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has sent letters to President Papadopoulos and leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Rauf Denktash to be in New York on Tuesday, February 10, for a meeting with a view to resume intensive negotiations to reach a settlement, if possible before Cyprus joins the European Union on May 1.

[15] European parliament speakers welcome efforts to resume Cyprus talks

NICOSIA 07/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In a statement adopted Wednesday in Hungary, the Parliament Speakers also welcomed Turkey's ''remarkable efforts'' to meet EU political criteria.

''Bearing in mind that Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the EU and that in December 2004 the European Council will take a decision on whether Turkey complies with the Copenhagen political criteria, the Presidents welcome Turkey's remarkable efforts to meet this objective,'' the statement said.

As regards Cyprus it said that ''the current efforts to resume the UN negotiating process and to ensure the effective accession to the EU of a reunited Cyprus were also welcomed.''

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