Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis, Cyprus president Papadopoulos confer ahead of UN talks

[02] Cyprus talks: Concern on outcome

[03] Papandreou officially takes over the reins of ruling PASOK

[04] PASOK elections: Final results released

[05] Swedish paper focuses on election of new PASOK leader Papandreou

[06] FM and PASOK leader George Papandreou addresses indoor rally in Korydallos

[07] ND leader calls for 'broad social alliance for quality economic leap'

[08] Poll shows gap between ND and PASOK narrowing on question of election winner

[09] Cross-party Committee decides on media coverage of political parties

[10] Greek MEP calls on Greece to block EU-Egypt association agreement

[11] FinMin to attend Eurogroup, ECOFIN councils

[12] New PASOK leader Papandreou visits GSEE trade union organization

[13] FM and PASOK leader George Papandreou meets industrialist union leader

[14] EU official says Greece's overall handling of funds is positive

[15] EU endorses first cross-border pact for Greece, Turkey

[16] Greece and Cyprus sign research and development protocol

[17] Trade between Greece, Israel up 27 pct in 2003

[18] European Commission Calls on EU members to implement money-laundering directive

[19] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in cautious trade

[20] ELA terrorist group trial opens in Korydallos prison

[21] Seminar on Greek-Turkish cooperation held in Athens

[22] Diouf signs Olympic Truce statement

[23] Two illegal immigrants missing, 33 swim safely to shore on Lesvos

[24] Communist party leader presents party's proposals on art sector

[25] Proposal for IT centers in public libraries

[26] Annan sees historic opportunity for unified Cyprus entering

[01] PM Simitis, Cyprus president Papadopoulos confer ahead of UN talks

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The target remained of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, the EU 'acquis communautaire', and full respect of human rights, Simitis told reporters after a meeting with Papadopoulos, who arrived in Athens Sunday night for consultations with the Greek political leadership before continuing on to New York for the commencement of Cyprus negotiations under UN secretary general Kofi Annan's auspices.

Simitis said that the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides had considered today's consultation necessary following Annan's invitation to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides for the immediate resumption of Cyprus negotiations, and noted the tight timetable put forward by the UN chief, which he said coincided with the pre-electoral period in Greece.

With respect to the Security Guarantees, Simitis said that the issue would be handled by the new Greek government to emerge from the March 7 general elections, adding that the renewal of the popular mandate on the national issue of Cyprus was the reason that early elections had been called.

Simitis stressed that Turkey and the Denktash regime must now prove that they genuinely desired a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. A solution, he added, that would enable a termination of the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island republic and the accession of a reunified Cyprus into the European Union.

Tuesday's session of parliament, which would ratify the Accession Treaties of the new EU member states, including Cyprus, that were signed last year in Athens, was the crowning point of that entire effort, Simitis said.

Papadopoulos, in turn, noted the firm policy of the Greek Cypriot side to respond to every invitation of the UN chief for consultations on the Cyprus problem.

He said a serious and voluminous effort had been made, and expressed the Cypriot people's gratitude towards the Greek government and political world for the major achievement of Cyprus' EU accession. "Without Greece's effort, Cyprus would not have been in the happy position of becoming an equal member of the EU," Papadopoulos said.

Cyprus president Papadopoulos meets with ND leader Karamanlis: Visiting Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos met Monday in Athens with main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis in view of the new momentum developing on the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' imminent full membership in the EU.

Karamanlis said that the basic national aspiration was the finding of a just and viable functional solution in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the EU 'acquis communautaire'.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side had repeatedly displayed its good intent, adding that it was the obligation of the Turkish Cypriot side to abandon its negation and delaying tactics and enter into negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan.

''We are at the side of the Cypriot Hellenism, in the struggle they are waging,'' Karamanlis said, adding that the forging of a uniform national strategy on the national issues was necessary, and noting that that was the reason why ND had persisted on the need for setting up a National Council on foreign policy and the convening of the Council of Political Leaders under the President of the Republic.

Regardless of whether there was identity of views, consultation was necessary in the efforts and the struggle being waged, he added.

[02] Cyprus talks: Concern on outcome

NEW YORK 10/02/2004 (ANA-P. Panayiotou)

Annan was scheduled, at 10:30 p.m. Monday (Greek time) to brief the representatives of the 15 Security Council member countries on his efforts, within the framework of his good services mission, aimed at a Cyprus solution and the accession of a reunited Cyprus into the European Union on May 1, 2004.

The Security Council members were expected to reaffirm their support for the UN chief and to ask him to keep them informed on the developments.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash arrived in New York on Sunday afternoon, local time, following Annan's invitation for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Denktash declined to comment on the process, the timetables and the conditions set out by Annan, but according to sources the Turkish Cypriot leader would possibly seek to meet with Annan in advance of Tuesday's meeting, which would mark the commencement of the negotiations process and the commitment of the two sides to Annan's terms.

The sources said that Denktash intended to present his written reply to Annan's letter, seeking clarifications and expressing objections to several points of the conditions set out by the UN chief.

Denktash is accompanied in New York by the so-called 'prime minister' of the Turkish Cypriot side Mehmet Ali Talat and the so-called 'foreign minister' Serdar Denktash, while the Turkish Cypriot delegation also comprises Denktash's advisors Ergun Olgiun and Mumtaz Soisal, who is considered by diplomatic circles as the ''representative of the hard-core establishment in Ankara''. Representing the Turkish government will be foreign undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

[03] Papandreou officially takes over the reins of ruling PASOK

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Passing the party's helm over to Papandreou, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed that his successor was most fit to lead the country in the crucial period that lay ahead, especially with regard to developments in the Cyprus problem.

''We are now at a crucial turning point with regard to solving the political problem on Cyprus and entering the final straight for the resolution of foreign policy issues,'' the premier pointed out.

As foreign minister, Papandreou had helped bring about important progress in this area, Simitis added.

He also described Papandreou's election by the party grass-roots and 'friends' on Sunday as an unprecedented political event that was resoundingly applauded by the citizens, who through their participation had declared their desire for open and transparent procedures unrelated to competing mechanisms.

On his part, the new president of PASOK underlined that he was deeply conscious of the responsibility he bore, which he said was all the greater after the mass turnout for his election that showed the level of peoples' expectations.

He stressed that the message from Sunday's participation by the public in the vote for PASOK's new leadership was one directed to all the political parties.

Papandreou pledged to honor this trust and continue to overturn obstacles in relations between the party and the public and, as a government, between ordinary citizens and the state.

He stressed the valuable contribution made by Simitis, saying that his work was a legacy that will strengthen the action of the party and a PASOK government.

''Costas Simitis had done much to make us proud of our country,'' he underlined, noting that he drew strength from the knowledge that Simitis would also be present in the next phase for PASOK.

According to Papandreou, his primary aim will be to strengthen the position of powerful and active citizens, while he stressed that participatory politics had not ended with Sunday's party election.

He called on ''the people of the wider democratic faction'' to join with him for victory in the March 7 elections.

FM Papandreou, as new PASOK leader, cites new 'contract with the citizen': Foreign minister George Papandreou, the new leader of the ruling PASOK party, said that the horizon of the ''political process of renewal, restructuring and changes in PASOK'' went beyond the March 7 general elections and were ''a continuous procedure to enable the democratic progressive party to remain a living political organization'', in his first interview after his election to the party leadership on Sunday appearing in Monday's edition of TA NEA newspaper.

In the interview, Papandreou stressed that, following his election, his ''historic responsibility'' became even greater, as he felt that he was succeeding two great leaders of PASOK and the democratic party: Andreas Papandreou (his father and founder of PASOK), and Costas Simitis (the current premier).

Papandreou further said that the support he received from the citizens gave him the strength to proceed with the changes that the country needed.

''This is a new contract with the citizen,'' Papandreou said.

Referring to Sunday's voting process in which he was formally elected as the ruling party's new president, Papandreou said that despite the "unprecedented democratic response of thousands of citizens to the invitation for participation, some sides continue to perceive politics in a short-sighted procedural manner, trapped in their introversion, and fearful of the democratic demand of the citizens for participation in the political processes".

"Is this how (main opposition New Democracy party) ND wants to govern? With the rationale of imposing, in absentia of the modern-day demands of society? With the citizens remaining passive spectators in their homes?", Papandreou queried.

"We want to build a new democratic majority trend that will have the strength and endurance to meet the new economic and social challenges," he said, adding: "Changes are not imposed with 'orders from above'. That is a deeply dogmatic and bureaucratic perception that has clashed with the historic developments and has been defeated".

The new PASOK leader appeared optimistic of the outcome of the March 7 general elections, and spoke of a "popular momentum" he had ascertained on his tour of the Greek periphery, adding that "politics, to me, has always been contribution to a common vision, and not a goal in itself, and, in that sense, I would stay home if I felt that I could not contribute".

[04] PASOK elections: Final results released

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

In an unprecedented process, the vote was open to 'friends' of the party in addition to the registered members, while members and friends overseas were also eligible to vote.

The tally includes the votes of members and friends in Australia, who voted on Saturday, but does not include the votes from New York and New Jersey (US) as, due to the time difference, voting continued till past midnight (Greek time).

Friends outnumbered registered members by approximately 4:1.

A breakdown provided by the elections supervisory committee showed that, among the youth, 45,896 registered members and 31,930 friends cast votes; 2,322 registered members abroad and 18,548 friends abroad cast votes; and 920 trade unionists who are registered members and another 16,920 friends cast votes.

Gov't spokesman hails results as "unprecedented event": Commenting on the level of participation in the election, government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday said it was an "unprecedented event".

"The public came forward and gave their mandate, authorizing George Papandreou to build an open party on the one hand and to promote his vision for Greek society on the other," Protopapas said.

"From today everything changes, this is a great political act and we are optimistic," the spokesman added.

[05] Swedish paper focuses on election of new PASOK leader Papandreou

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The Papandreou family had sought refuge in Sweden when fleeing the dictatorial regime that seized power in Greece in the late '60s.

The newspaper dwelt on Papandreou's student days in Stockholm, when he had worked as a cleaner and dishwasher.

Noting that his election at the head of the PASOK party had been straightforward since he was the only candidate, the paper predicted that Papandreou would face a tougher battle to win the Greek general elections on March 7, given main opposition New Democracy's lead in opinion polls.

At the same time, it noted that Papandreou appeared to be preferred as prime minister in the polls and described him as the ''uncontested voice of Greece'' on the international scene, who had made his mark since taking over the Greek foreign ministry in 1999 with his initiatives for rapprochement with Greece's traditional rival Turkey.

[06] FM and PASOK leader George Papandreou addresses indoor rally in Korydallos

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou also called on the supporters of the other parties to follow the example set by the members and friends of PASOK and to carry out their own revolution against party establishments.

He also requested from social partners and from society in its entirety to rid themselves of defensive reflexes which constitute a restraining factor for social and economic progress.

Papandreou referred to his election to the party's presidency on Sunday, saying the mass turnout of PASOK's members and friends to vote sent three messages: the citizen coming onto ''the front stage'', the citizens' desire for ''reforms, changes and reversals'' and ''society's huge confidence in the great democratic party.''

Papandreou promised to change ''our party into a party of citizens and to break away from bureaucracies and apparatuses'' with a procedure to take place locally all over the country.

Appealing to supporters of other parties, Papandreou urged them to ''follow us. Do not allow your party establishments which ignore you. Break your bonds as well. And if they do not forge ahead, we shall open our arms to you in this great democratic party.''

The PASOK leader further said ''we are an open party. With liberal views which the extreme conservative party was unable to incorporate. We might have disagreements, but we do not fear dialogue. Tomorrow's Greece needs a storm of new ideas.''

Papandreou also referred to the young people participating in the rally, saying that ''young people are sensitive. They are fighters and they are innovators.''

[07] ND leader calls for 'broad social alliance for quality economic leap'

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Addressing an event attended by representatives of Greek-British, Greek-French, Greek-German and Greek-Italian chambers of commerce on the theme ''Competitive Greek Economy in the International Economic Environment'', Karamanlis said that provided that the New Democracy wins the March 7 general elections, ''the dialogue with the social partners will be enlarged in order for consensual reforms in the economy to be achieved.''

''The extroversion of the economy for the creation of new high technology enterprises and in tourism, the new relation of confidence with the chambers of commerce, the upgrading of economic diplomacy and of local government constitute the primary goals which the New Democracy will set as government,'' he added.

The ND leader said that the ruling PASOK party ''copies ideas and phrases of the ND and this fact creates confusion in the voters because they do not constitute commitments by the new PASOK leadership which simply uses these ideas to project itself.''

[08] Poll shows gap between ND and PASOK narrowing on question of election winner

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The poll was conducted with a sample of 1,004 respondents and was presented by the MEGA television channel.

Respondents gave ND 44.6 percent on this question and PASOK 31.4. Consequently, the gap between the two parties has decreased to 13.2 percentage points from 19.4 registered by the previous poll carried out by the Opinion company and publicized a week ago.

As regards the question which of the two mainstream parties is considered more capable of governing the country ND is leading PASOK by 38.8 percent to 37.5.

However, Foreign Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou continues to be ahead of ND leader Costas Karamanlis on the question of who is most suitable to become prime minister with 43.5 percent to 39.

The poll also raised the question of whether Papandreou must keep the party's senior members. Nine percent of respondents replied positively, 49 said ''only a few'' and 23 ''almost none'', while 19 belong to the ''don't know/won't answer'' category.

[09] Cross-party Committee decides on media coverage of political parties

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The committee has decided that there will be four debates with representatives of the parties and that 10 minutes per week will be devoted to each political party.

In addition, the state television channel ET will organize an interview with each party leader, while state TV will cover two pre-election rallies for each party, one of them by ET3.

Protopapas said the committee had also agreed on one new measure that would require all nationwide television stations to broadcast free political party messages, whose total commercial value should not exceed five million euros.

This is calculated to limit TV advertising to 30 per cent of its value in the previous elections and discourage the commercialization of politics.

[10] Greek MEP calls on Greece to block EU-Egypt association agreement

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Appealing to Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the political parties, Alavanos said that ratifying the agreement would be a death sentence for the Greek national Kostas Kastanias.

Kastanias has been serving a life sentence of forced labor since 1989 and his health has been irrevocably damaged.

[11] FinMin to attend Eurogroup, ECOFIN councils

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The Eurogroup council's agenda includes discussion on the current economic and political situation in the Eurozone, briefing on the results of the weekend's G7 ministerial meeting in Florida, review of stability and growth programs submitted by France, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Luxembourg along with the EU Commission's recommendation.

The council is also expected to discuss details of the ERM II, the Exchange Rate Mechanism that will be adopted by EU-newcomers before adopting the euro currency.

The ECOFIN's agenda includes preparation of a spring European Council, to be held March 25-26, the EU Commission's report on the Lisbon Strategy, presentation of the annual report by the Economic Policy Committee on structural reforms in 2004, stating formal opinions on member-states' updated stability and convergence program, and discussing a directive on savings' tax in the EU.

[12] New PASOK leader Papandreou visits GSEE trade union organization

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

In statements after the meeting, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos said it was significant that Papandreou's first political act as party leader was to visit GSEE and discuss the problems of workers and pensioners.

On his part, Papandreou said that real cooperation and systematic dialogue with the social partners will be a fundamental element of any policy in the framework of participatory democracy, such as social insurance reform, employment and dealing with joblessness.

He underlined his disagreement with the economic and social program announced by main opposition New Democracy and promised that nothing gained by workers or pensioners would be lost and that any reforms in the coming years would be positions worked out in close cooperation, even partnership, with GSEE.

According to Polyzogopoulos, their talks had covered the problems of workers and pensioners but also those of peace. He said Papandreou had shown sensitivity and attentiveness, as well as a desire and the ability to deal with the problems.

Trade union officials affiliated to other parties, however, were more critical of the PASOK leader's stance. ND affiliated GSEE vice-president Yiannis Manolis said that Papandreou's request for ''partnership'' with the trade union movement had been couched in a general, contradictory and indefinite political framework.

Coalition-affiliated deputy president Alekos Kalyvis predicted that Papandreou would implement the same policies as previous PASOK governments, with more dialogue that would lead to more privileges for the powerful.

PAME representative and Communist Party of Greece(KKE) member Giorgos Mavrikis said his party disagreed with Papandreou's proposals for uninsured employment for young people, his positions on drugs, the length of the working week and two-party politics.

[13] FM and PASOK leader George Papandreou meets industrialist union leader

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

This was noted by the industrialist union leader, who added that the presence of the new PASOK leader highlights the importance he attaches to social dialogue and to social partners.

Papandreou stressed the need for close cooperation with social partners, adding that he believes in their role in having the country's major issues handled.

Referring to major problems, such as unemployment and employment, he said there is a need for reforms in relations between the state and the citizen and between the state and the businessman.

Papandreou said there must be a good relation and enterprise must not be undermined by the Greek state's big number of laws.

He emphasized that reforms must be made in many sectors and termed the role of SEB and of social partners decisive.

Papandreou referred to Greece's achievements so far, such as accession to Economic and Monetary Union and foreign policy which, as he said, succeeding in giving the country a different prestige, particularly with the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

[14] EU official says Greece's overall handling of funds is positive

BRUSSELS 10/02/2004 (ANA/B.Demiris)

Barnier was replying to a reporter's question on progress in implementation of the Third Community Support Framework in Greece.

Citing an example, the commissioner said that Greece had been removed from the EU's ''v-2'' ruling, which envisages a longest permissible absorption delay of two years, as funds had been correctly absorbed.

[15] EU endorses first cross-border pact for Greece, Turkey

BRUSSELS 10/02/2004 (ANA/B.Demiris)

The program is worth 66 million euros with 35 million euros of the total for disbursement by the EU.

It focuses on creating conditions for economic growth and employment through business cooperation between Greece and Turkey; also including improvement of the quality of life, protection of the environment and the preservation of cultural heritage.

''For the first time, Greece and Turkey are embarking on a joint endeavor to implement infrastructure in sectors including tourism, communications and transport,'' Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told a signing ceremony for the pact.

''This will give impetus to joint economic cooperation, which is to the benefit of both countries,'' the minister added.

The area spanned by the agreement represents 17 per cent of Greece and 8.0 per cent of Turkey.

[16] Greece and Cyprus sign research and development protocol

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with Kyprianou, Tsohatzopoulos said Greece and Cyprus decided to cooperate further and in a more effective manner in the field of research and technology.

''We are interested in making innovations part of economic development, of an increase in productivity and of the competitiveness of our economies. The protocol offers the opportunity to move forward in search and technology and opens new avenues in cooperation for the benefit of both countries, which is important,'' Tsohatzopoulos said.

Kyprianou said there are currently underway common financial programs in various secondary fields of research.

He said programs have been chosen and are now being implemented.

Kyprianou said that all these programs will be implemented as part of the close cooperation of the two countries in all fields, both on a bilateral level and on a European level.

[17] Trade between Greece, Israel up 27 pct in 2003

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Exports from Israel to Greece rose by 39.1 per cent in 2003 to 218 million dollars, with Greek exports to Israel up 13.8 per cent to total 154 million dollars, the embassy said in a statement.

On February 26, a business meeting will be held in Israel ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympics, the statement added.

[18] European Commission Calls on EU members to implement money-laundering directive

BRUSSELS 10/02/2004 (ANA - A. Simatos)

The Commission decided to send an advisory, the second stage in the procedure for resorting to the European Court, to Greece, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden.

These states have not briefed the Commission on measures they have taken to include the second EU directive on money-laundering in their national laws.

The directive extends the target set in the first EU directive on money-laundering. It obliges member-states to combat money-laundering coming from a wide range of serious criminal acts and extends the extent of the first directive's implementation.

[19] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in cautious trade

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 1.12 percent to end at 2,417.75 points. Turnover was 135.2 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.97 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.96 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with losses of 1.59 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 260 to 48 with 47 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 9 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,281 1,252

[20] ELA terrorist group trial opens in Korydallos prison

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court that will try the five suspected terrorists, is comprised of: Justice Elisavet Mougakou-Brilli as the presiding judge, with Grigoris Mamalis as the reserve presiding judge. The other two justices on the panel are Zoi Kobotiati and Dimitris Moustakas, with Constantinos Fragos and Giorgos Adamopoulos as the reserve judges. Eleftherios Patsis is serving as bench prosecutor, with Constantinos Vobiris as his replacement.

The five suspects in custody, who will be tried on charges for 83 terrorist activities attributed to ELA, several of them jointly with the 'May 1' terrorist group, are Aggeletos Kanas, Irene Athanasaki, Christos Tsigaridas, Costas Agapiou and Mihalis Kassimis.

The charges include the 1989 killing of Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) deputy prosecutor Anastasios Venardos; the 1994 killing of police officer Apostolos Velios during a remote-control bomb attack on a Greek Police (ELAS) bus in Perissos, in which another 11 policemen were injured; and the 1987 attempted murder of former General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president George Raftopoulos.

In all, the five suspected ELA members will be tried for a total of 80 attempted murders and 76 bomb explosions,

Aggeletos Kanas, 52, an electrician by trade and serving as community president of the remote western Aegean island of Kimolos at the time of his arrest in Athens in February 2003, is believed to be the ELA member known by the codename ''George''.

Costas Agapiou, 56, believed to be a civil engineer and resident of Athens, is believed to be the member known as ''Philippe''. Agapiou denied he was a civil engineer during the opening proceedings in court on Monday.

Irini Athanasaki, 49, a private employee and resident of Athens, is believed to be the ELA member codenamed ''Myrto''.

Christos Tsigaridas, 64, a civil engineer and resident of Athens, is believed to be 'Andrew', the organization’s theoretician and its contact with international terrorist 'Carlos the Jackal'.

Michalis Kassimis, an employee at the organization for SMEs and handicrafts (EOMMEX) and resident of Athens, is the brother of the now deceased Christos Kassimis, who allegedly founded ELA.

Apart from Tsigaridas, the other four suspects have consistently denied involvement in the group.

Tsigaridas has said he was a member of ELA up until 1990, and has assumed the political responsibility for his participation, but refuses to provide any information on other members or on specific ELA activities.

Approximately 400 witnesses will be called to give testimony for the prosecution.

Monday's session was expected to be taken out by the reading out of the charge sheets.

[21] Seminar on Greek-Turkish cooperation held in Athens

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Noting that Greeks and Turks had discovered the benefits of cooperation and were working in this direction for the past five years, Alpogan said cooperation in biopolitical issues between the two countries acquired additional significance when seen in the framework of Turkey's progress toward becoming a member of the European Union.

Most of the speakers stressed the need to tackle problems between the two countries through cooperation while a representative for the European Parliament in Greece, George Kasimatis, stressed that every 'bridge' of cooperation between Greece and Turkey had to be supported at this delicate phase in bilateral relations between the two countries.

The seminar was organized in order to promote Greek-Turkish friendship and is supported by the Turkish Embassy in Greece.

[22] Diouf signs Olympic Truce statement

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Diouf is currently in the Greek capital on the occasion of Greece's participation as sixth observer in the Organization and because of the obligation Athens has undertaken to project the French language during the 2004 Olympic Games.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis termed as ''a positive message'' the decision by the Organization of the French-speaking countries to strengthen the endeavor of the Olympic Truce.

On his part, Diouf congratulated Greece for the initiative and expressed his appreciation for the campaign to project the French language throughout the duration of the Games in the summer.

[23] Two illegal immigrants missing, 33 swim safely to shore on Lesvos

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

The 33 illegal immigrants, from various African countries, said they had been transported from the Asia Minor coast by a small wooden Turkish boat, and managed to swim to Tsonia beach on the northeastern coast of Lesvos. They also told harbor authorities that another two immigrants who were on the boat were missing.

Harbor authorities dispatched Coast Guard speedboats at first light to search for the two missing people, who at the time of press had not been spotted.

[24] Communist party leader presents party's proposals on art sector

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Papariga said that today ''cultural retrogression is being ascertained due to the general policy being followed in our country in the economy, in the social sector and in foreign policy," resulting in the commercialization of art depriving art of its real role ''to express social conscience and be a means of communication.''

The KKE leader further said the commercialization of the work of art also means the shaping of conditions for the lack of freedom for artists and their work.

''We are creating preconditions for cultural upgrading and for support for the work of artists through our general political proposal on the creation of the Popular Front for an alternative political solution at the level of power,'' she said.

[25] Proposal for IT centers in public libraries

Athens, 10/02/2004 (ANA)

Yiannis Kalogirou, special secretary of BPIS, said that the project envisages creating specially fitted areas in 29 public libraries offering visitors free access and specialized support in seeking information over a wide range of issues, such as economic, touristic, educational, labor, business, cultural, on a local, region and national level.

BPIS said the project is linked with another project aimed to supply, install and offer technical support of network equipment, Internet and GPRS links between the country's main libraries and a network of mobile libraries operating around the country.

[26] Annan sees historic opportunity for unified Cyprus entering

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that the people of Cyprus have an historic opportunity to unify their country and enter the European Union together with great economic and social benefits for them, noting that a unified Cyprus entering the EU will really help reduce tensions in the Aegean region, will improve relations all around in the region and it will also facilitate Turkey's entry into Europe.

Speaking on arrival at UN Headquarters, Annan referred to Tuesday's

meeting in New York with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, saying that he has made proposals to them to discuss, adding that ''we don't have much time if we are going to meet the deadline of May 1,'' when Cyprus will officially become an EU member.

''It means we will have to finish the negotiations by [the] end of March to be able to have the referendum in April. So we will discuss all this to see if the parties are prepared to engage and to sustain the effort for us to ensure that a united Cyprus enters the EU on the 1st of May,'' he added.

Spokesman Eckhard says UN chief expects sides to present positions: Later in the day, Annan's spokesman Fred Eckhard said that although there were no details on Annan's meetings on Tuesday with Papadopoulos and Denktash, he imagined that ''the opening steps will be for the two sides to present their current position.''

Eckhard said Annan ''wants to hear from each side what their opening position is, how far apart they are, how much flexibility there is on either side to compromise and then thus see if the whole process can be accelerated to a successful conclusion.''

He added that Annan hopes ''the two sides, the two motherlands are now firmly committed to resolve their outstanding differences on the basis of the plan that is on the table, and that this can be resolved in time for the referenda so the whole process can be completed by the 1st of May,'' when Cyprus will officially join the EU.

''As to details like whether he accepts leaving some issues open or not I don't want to speculate what his negotiating strategy will be.

He has spoken to the two sides and Greece and Turkey to agree to some common platform. And the more they can agree, I think the better it is. That is probably his general principle,'' Eckhard noted.

Invited to say what Annan meant by ''ground rules'', Eckhard said ''the plan is on the table, an effort he made last year to help the two sides to agree on that plan failed,'' adding that Annan ''felt that unless there was a serious enough political commitment for the talks to succeed, he said he wasn't getting involved until he saw signs of that commitment.''

''He now sees signs that they are serious about meeting the May 1st deadline. He wants to hear from each side what their opening position is, how far apart they are, how much flexibility there is on either side to compromise and then thus see if the whole process can be accelerated to a successful conclusion,'' the spokesman added.

Replying to other questions, Eckhard said ''the formal talks begin tomorrow, we don't have the details yet, the mechanics of what is going to take place tomorrow.''

''I can imagine the opening steps will be for the two sides to present their current position,'' he concluded.

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