Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou says a new PASOK gov't will protect jobs from globalization

[02] FM Papandreou turns over ministry to Yiannitsis ahead of elections

[03] PASOK plans for education 'reactionary', KKE leader claims

[04] SYN leader charges PASOK and ND of representing neo-liberalism

[05] Mitsotakis questions Papandreou's readiness to lead the country

[06] PASOK leader's postponed Cyprus trip rescheduled for Monday, sources say

[07] Poll shows ND's lead over PASOK decreasing to 2.7 pc

[08] Olympic Airlines allowed to forward passenger data to U.S. for three months

[09] Farm sector damages total 300 mln euros, FinMin says

[10] An odd run: The 'first' female Marathon runner hoped for a job offer back in 1896

[11] ATHOC chief Angelopoulos: Success of Games 'the dream of all of Greece'

[12] PM visits Galatsi Olympic Centre, hails 'Olympic endeavor'

[13] International Paralympics Committee praises Athens' progress

[14] ANA launches new 'Olympic Bulletin 2004' service

[15] Athens airport gradually back to normal after bad weather

[16] UN top envoy on Cyprus arrives Tuesday for resumption of talks

[17] France welcomes resumption of Cyprus peace talks

[01] Papandreou says a new PASOK gov't will protect jobs from globalization

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

He said the ruling party was determined not to allow the creation of new class of non-privileged due to globalization and participated in efforts to ''give globalization a human face''.

He also stressed, however, that Greece could not simply wait around for justice and solidarity to prevail throughout the world or sit back complaining about change.

''We have to get beyond complaints and misery and see how we can best use this new age,'' he stressed.

PASOK's leader said that his government after the elections will protect the weak, with emphasis on education and training as the means that will help increase employment

In addition, he promised radical reforms within public administration that will free resources for local government, so as to reduce problems and friction with the public and liberate the business world in order to bring in new investments.

Finally, he promised support for innovation and research and urged his audience to assist in creating ''a society that cares and feels for the person next-door, for its neighbors''.

Listing the future goals of his government if PASOK wins the elections, Papandreou said these including raising wages and productivity to 90 per cent of the European average; increasing employment to 62 per cent of the active population and reducing unemployment to 6 per cent overall, 8 per cent for women; reducing the disparity in pay between men and women; increasing the age of voluntary retirement by four years on average, without changing present retirement limits; and increasing the participation of Greek industry in arms procurement programs by 20 percent.

He also said his government would double current spending devoted to employment and use every euro saved through reduced negative spending and by stamping out tax and revenue evasion on education, social insurance and health.

Another goal stressed by Papandreou was the reduction of labor-related accidents by 20 per cent through more intensive work safety inspections, or 25 per cent for the more hazardous professions.

Commenting on the privatization of the Elefsina shipyard, Papandreou said it has been ''socially sensitive and had economic prospects'' and promised that any future cooperation with the private sector would take place in the same framework and ensure social protection for the workforce.

Regarding events within PASOK itself, meanwhile, the new party leader said it was ''overcoming mechanisms and traditional party mentalities to create a movement of citizens and a society of citizens where you will be dominant in a participatory democracy''.

PASOK leader addresses rally in Irakleio,

says time has come for great change : PASOK party leader George Papandreou, addressing an outdoor rally in Irakleio, Crete, on Monday night, said the time for ''great change has come again'' and expressed confidence the party will win the March 7 elections.

Papandreou referred to reforms and changes he intends to do as prime minister and also announced measures to relieve farmers whose produce was harmed by recent bad weather conditions.

Among measures he announced for farmers was an immediate assessment of damage, while 50 percent of compensation will be paid before Easter and the remaining 50 percent by the end of May.

Papandreou also said farmers' debts to the Agricultural Bank of Greece will be frozen until the first installment of compensation is paid.

The PASOK leader announced that in 2006, regional councils will be elected during the local elections which will have the first say in shaping and implementing development programs.

Papandreou also referred to non-state universities, promising that if elected prime minister he will bring in a legal framework allowing their operation.

He also focused on the late Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos and the Liberal Party, as well as to his grandfather George Papandreou on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Centre Union's election victory with what he said was the ''stunning 53 percent''.

Papandreou said PASOK ''must hoist the flag of hope against fear and conservatism'' and accused the main opposition New Democracy party of having ''a permanent fatalistic attitude''.

Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson also attended the rally and addressed the crowds, praising Papandreou and calling on the Greeks to vote for him.

[02] FM Papandreou turns over ministry to Yiannitsis ahead of elections

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou said that during his term at the ministry, with Yiannitsis as the alternate minister, ''we worked with vision and not as a daily routine'', adding that ''it is not by chance that this cooperation has brought about significant fruits''.

He noted that the Cyprus issue was at a ''crucial point'', and ''one can, at this moment, hope that Cyprus will be able to accede the EU united, and thus the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can work together as a family''.

Papandreou said that hard work was accomplished ''so that we may see Cyprus today at this point'', noting that ''if we succeed in solving the Cyprus problem in the coming months, a moment of historic change will come that will enable Greece and its neighbor (Turkey) to set new goals, with determination, to even further strengthen its position in the EU''.

The outgoing foreign minister stressed that the results of the hard work should be attributed to the entire ministry staff who worked toward the basic priority of strengthening Greece's presence on the international chessboard.

''If all goes well, with the resolution of the Cyprus issue, Greece's relations with Turkey, but also its relations in the entire region, will change overall''.

Reviewing the efforts for agreement on cooperation in specific sectors with Turkey, Papandreou said that a basis of common targets had been formulated, ''and with the advancement of the Cyprus issue all these will have a substantive acceleration''.

Greece, he added, had also rebuilt its important ties with the Arab world, understanding their positions and conveying their views to Europe. Greece's stance on the Iraqi crisis, as well as on the Kosovo issue, had been particularly appreciated, Papandreou added.

He further mentioned the efforts to activate NGO's in the efforts for an Olympic Truce, and the work that still awaited Greece in view of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and Greece's efforts to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council immediately after the Olympics.

Yiannitsis spoke of the "huge legacy" Papandreou was leaving behind in the foreign ministry, adding that much hard work was ahead.

[03] PASOK plans for education 'reactionary', KKE leader claims

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at a seminar organized by the teachers' union OLME, Papariga said the changes planned in the name of 'decentralization' would abolish the uniform educational system that everyone was familiar with, toward one that ''legalized class barriers''.

She also stressed that it was crucial for state education to be free and that this could only be achieved by abolishing all form of business activity in the sector.

She called for coverage of all educational needs through a free state education system and an increase in state spending on education to 15 per cent of the budget, including sums now going to local government.

She also backed the extension of mandatory education to 12 years for all young people, the abolition of the lyceum and technical schools system, as well as the universal provision of two years of pre-school through state-run day-care centers and kindergartens.

[04] SYN leader charges PASOK and ND of representing neo-liberalism

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

In a press conference in Athens, Constantopoulos accused both the ruling PASOK party and the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party of representing neo-liberalism and called on the citizens through their vote to ''be a force of decisive resistance against one-way neo-liberalism and the bipartisan monopoly of power.''

He attributed responsibility to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) for not cooperating with the Coalition of the Radical Left, stating that ''the KKE wished to be alone.'' However, he added that ''we do not wish to create divisive lines within the Left.''

''We will insist on the need for there to be a specific answer by the Left because for us, our relation with the people of the Left is a central theme. We want with these people of the Left to create bonds of cooperation. We want bonds of unity and joint action. These are the people who will oppose the policies of neo-liberalism,'' Constantopoulos said, at the same time calling on the KKE ''to stop this logic of perpetuating conflict.''

He further noted that all the political party leaders should take part in the televised election campaign debates ''and with the equal participation of all.''

On the Cyprus issue, Constantopoulos said that ''pressure is being exerted by the United States and by other parties in order for things to be accepted which Cyprus and Greece have been denying until today,'' clarifying that ''the Cyprus issue cannot slide in any way into quadri-partite procedures with the arbitration of the United States.'' He also repeated his proposal for a meeting of the political party leaders on the matter.

[05] Mitsotakis questions Papandreou's readiness to lead the country

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Mitsotakis, who led an ND government from 1990-1993 and is now an honorary president of the party, also cast doubt on whether Papandreou would be able to make the substantial changes he had promised within ruling PASOK.

''Papandreou has created a 100-percent leader-dominated party, where the party leader has more power than any dictator. Despite the overhauls he is proclaiming he will also find himself a slave to the party. The problem is not individuals, it is the party itself. He can execute the 'barons' after the elections if he wins - though I strongly doubt he will.

''But the party - this hard, deep party that is the cause of evil and the source of corruption in the country - he is no match for. That is why there must be political change so that another party can come into power,'' Mitsotakis added.

[06] PASOK leader's postponed Cyprus trip rescheduled for Monday, sources say

NICOSIA 17/2/2004 (ANA)

According to sources, Papandreou is expected to arrive in Nicosia on Monday night and meet Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Cyprus' political leadership the following morning.

At 14:00 on Tuesday a meeting between Papandreou and Turkish-Cypriots has been arranged at the Ledra Pallas hotel in the city, while at 16:00 the new PASOK leader will address a gathering of Cyprus-based members and friends of ruling PASOK.

[07] Poll shows ND's lead over PASOK decreasing to 2.7 pc

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

The poll gives ND 39 percent, PASOK 36.3, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.5, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 3.3, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 1.8 and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.1, while the undecided vote amounts to 13 percent.

The gap between the two parties in the company's last poll in early February was 3.7 percentage points in ND's favor and on January 20 2.2 points.

PASOK leader George Papandreou receives 45.2 percent and ND leader Costas Karamanlis 42.8 on the question of which of the two is most suitable to become prime minister.

As regards the issue of which party is expected to win the March 7 elections, ND has an 18.7 percent lead over PASOK, while 15 days ago the gap was 21.2.

The analysis of undecided voters shows that 31.5 percent of them come from PASOK, 5.1 from ND and 12.6 from other parties.

The undecided voters also believe by 36.7 percent that Papandreou is more suitable for prime minister compared to 18.6 for Karamanlis, while 32 believe ND will win the elections and 12 PASOK.

[08] Olympic Airlines allowed to forward passenger data to U.S. for three months

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Authority decision No. 4/2004 grants, following a request by Olympic Airlines, temporary permission for the carrier to forward personal data of passengers on its flights to and from the U.S. or in transit, which are included in the airline's Passenger Name Record, to the Customs and Borders Protection Bureau of the U.S. Internal Security Department, for a three-month period.

The conditions are that Olympic Airlines must fully inform the passengers regarding the forwarding of their personal data to the U.S. and that the passengers must previously give their written approval towards this purpose.

[09] Farm sector damages total 300 mln euros, FinMin says

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Mr Christodoulakis said that 50 percent of damages would be covered by the Organization of Farm Compensations by April and noted that 200 million euros were the damages suffered by the country's agriculture production and another 100 million euros were damages in the farm sector's infrastructure.

"Our aim is to begin immediately the recording of damages and to pay 50 percent of compensations to farmers by Easter," the Greek minister said.

Mr Christodoulakis said that the government planned to announce on Tuesday further measures aimed to support all those hit by the severe weather conditions.

He was speaking to reporters after a meeting held with Agriculture Deputy Minister Evangelos Argyris, Agricultural Bank of Greece's governor, Petros Lambrou, and officials from both ministries to review the situation.

Mr Christodoulakis expressed the government's support to all those hit by the blizzard and stressed that wheat, vegetable and fruit production reported the heaviest damages.

Union urges for support measures to Greek farmers:The President of the Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES), Mr Tzanetos Karamihas, on Monday urged for an immediate activation of state mechanisms and services to begin recording of damages on farming caused by the recent severe weather conditions around the country.

Mr Karamihas urged Agriculture Minister George Drys to agree to a roll-over of debt servicing by farmers hit by the snow.

PASEGES said that according to preliminary data farming, cattling and fruit production have suffered heavy damages from the snow, particularly in the regions of Thessaly, Central Greece, Evia, Peloponnese and Aegean islands.

The union stressed that Greek farmers were hit by severe weather conditions for the third consecutive year, resulting to a drastic reduction of their incomes and multiplying their debts.

[10] An odd run: The 'first' female Marathon runner hoped for a job offer back in 1896

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

The name of the female runner was Stamata Revithi (or Melpomeni, according to others). A destitute mother of two, Stamata apparently hoped her endurance would lead to a job offer, or even the amicable interest of the mayor or crown prince.

According to newspaper accounts of the day, although she raced unofficially she made sure her efforts were noted by some “official” source at various points along the course.

Revithi’s efforts were made public a week before the Marathon race and were mentioned in several press articles, with some exhibiting a facetious intent.

Her decision to enter the Marathon apparently came when she found out an American woman wanted to participate as well. She appeared before a relevant committee and in a steady voice asked for permission to participate. The deadline for applications had nevertheless expired and the committee rejected her request for an “official” participation.

On the eve of the race, Thursday March 28, villagers in Marathon still celebrating the arrival of athletes to their sleepy hamlet saw a coach approaching and a woman getting off.

The next day, Stamata asked the village priest to recite a blessing so she could reach the stadium in Athens quickly, to which he replied that his blessing would be issued only for the officially sanctioned athletes.

In the end, Stamata did not follow the other Marathon runners or participate in the official race. Amidst a national frenzy sparked by the triumph of local favorite Spyros Louis a day later on Saturday, March 30, 1896, Stamata Revithi readied for a solo run on the Marathon course. Before taking off, she thought it sensible for the village’s teacher, the mayor and the magistrate of Marathon to witness her effort, asking them to sign a hand-written report showing “08:00 A.M. as the starting hour”.

Revithi reached the military camp Parapigmata at 1:30 p.m., a time of five hours and 30 minutes. This is where the story ends, as she may have been prevented from continuing all the way to the all-marble Stadium where Louis had finished first in the first Marathon race in the modern era.

Her attempt, nevertheless, is mentioned in the Women’s Athletics Yearbook (1975), where a “Melpomeni” (GRE) is recorded as the first female Marathon runner with a time of five hours and 30”.

Violet Piercy of Great Britain was the first woman to be officially timed in the Marathon, posting a time of 3:40:22 in a British race on Oct. 3, 1926. Due largely to the lack of women's competition, that time stood as an unofficial world record for 37 years.

Women finally acquired the right to compete in an Olympic Marathon race in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, where America’s Joan Benoit, won the inaugural women’s Marathon.

[11] ATHOC chief Angelopoulos: Success of Games 'the dream of all of Greece'

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

The writer of the article, who called Angelopoulos the ''High Priestess of the Olympic Games'', said the ATHOC chief had succeeded in restoring rhythm to the Olympics preparations, which had been plagued by excessive delays, thus earning the respect of her compatriots who consider her a ''national heroine''. The writer also noted that Angelopoulos was working voluntarily 16-hours a day for the success of the Athens Games.

Angelopoulos said in the interview that the organization of the Olympic Games will present to the world the picture of a Greece that is totally different from that of the past: the image of a modern and dynamic country that knows how to meet major challenges.

She added that the Athenians have realized the importance of the heritage that the Games will leave to Athens and Greece, and this realization constituted the guarantee for the Games' success.

Indicatively, she noted the huge number of applications for volunteers during the Games.

''The success of the Games is not my dream alone, but the dream of all of Greece,'' Angelopoulos stressed in the interview.

[12] PM visits Galatsi Olympic Centre, hails 'Olympic endeavor'

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

During his tour of the facilities, Simitis said the Olympic Games were a great opportunity for Greece to achieve progress and also a huge responsibility in terms of their success.

''It is our responsibility not to miss this opportunity to promote, highlight and change the country. It is our responsibility to make use of this new infrastructure and the knowhow we have acquired to further develop our economy. We are not progressing into a future of ease and automatic changes. We have before us the choice of either taking our future into our own hands, steadily and more effectively, or to neglect our new abilities, letting them fade and waste away. This will not happen,'' the premier said in a brief address.

Thanking all those who had worked or were working to prepare the country to host the 2004 Olympics, the premier stressed that Greece had now entered the final straight, six months before the start of the Games.

''We must do our utmost. We must devote all our strength to this national endeavor that is also a top international endeavor, whose success we both want and deserve. We must show that Greece can bring actualize major goals. We must show a strong, modern Greece. A Greece that is progressing with self-confidence,'' he stressed.

He was accompanied on the visit by Deputy Culture Minister Nasos Alevras, Deputy Press Minister Tilemahos Hytiris, Olympic Games general secretary Kostas Kartalis and other government officials.

[13] International Paralympics Committee praises Athens' progress

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

Craven and Terranova expressed their satisfaction on progress achieved in areas, such as transport, health services, anti-doping, catering, technology, ceremonies, torch relay, security, and press services, while stating that the Boccia event had been staged with absolute success.

Visiting Olympic venues and various parts of Athens, the two IPC executives saw the access projects under way. Craven and Terranova found the program ''Hermes - Accessible Choice,'' in which dozens of Greek companies are participating, and the school program ''Adopt a Sport,'' to be particularly successful.

Athens 2004 Managing Director, Ioannis Spanoudakis emphasized that the meeting with the IPC was successful, giving the international committee's representatives a chance to witness progress achieved so far.

[14] ANA launches new 'Olympic Bulletin 2004' service

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

2004'', part of the Agency's ongoing efforts to contribute to the promotion of the Olympic Movement and to provide news and information to local and foreign residents, via our subscribers, in a timely, reliable and comprehensive manner.

The new bulletin's pilot phase begins to-day, whereas its around-the-clock operation commences immediately after general elections in Greece, on March 7.

The ''Olympic Bulletin 2004'' includes: News and information about Athens 2004 Olympic Games preparations -(activities of the 2004 Organizing Committee - ATHOC - the General Secretariat for the Olympic Games, the Culture Ministry and Sports Under-secretariat, the Hellenic National Olympic Committee and sports federations)

o News and information about the ''Olympic Truce'' initiative.

o News and information about Olympic sports events (test events).

o Features on Greek myths vis-a-vis the ancient Olympic Games.

o Interviews and commentary by Greek Olympic champions and sports officials.

o Articles on the ''Cultural Olympiad'' and the ''Olympic Truce''.

Moreover, the ANA's new on-line service provides:

o Features on contemporary Greece, ranging from the economy, politics, culture, the environment, foods and drink, entertainment, as well as ideas for day-trips, excursions, dining and more during the Olympics in August and Paralympics in September.

o Photo-stories (eight to 15 images) and travelogues of practically every corner of the country, from the cosmopolitan to the ''unknown Greece'' of the hinterlands.

o Complete and comprehensive photographic coverage of Olympic preparations.

The new ''Olympic Bulletin 2004'' will be available on-line in Greek and English.

For more information on terms and rates, please contact the ANA's sales and marketing department at 210.64.00.560 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (07.00-12.30 GMT) Monday through Friday, or at sales@ana.gr

[15] Athens airport gradually back to normal after bad weather

Athens 17/2/2004 (ANA)

An airport announcement said flights were being carried out normally, with 248 arrivals and 233 departures scheduled for Monday.

There had been 211 arrivals and 220 departures on Sunday.

The announcement said that the problems experienced by the airport after the weather deteriorated on Thursday night were commonplace during extremely bad weather conditions and did not reflect badly on the overall quality of the airport's services.

It quoted London Heathrow and Frankfurt airports as two other major international airports that had been forced to shut down for lengthy periods of time in similar conditions.

The airport also said that passengers were regularly updated on changes in the flight schedule and lastly, expressed regret at the inconvenience experienced by the public using the airport.

Minister raps Athens airport over poor operation in ice and snow: Transport Minister Christos Verelis on Monday sent a letter to Athens airport complaining about the facility's poor operation in heavy snow and ice over the weekend following complaints from airlines and the public.

In a letter to the airport operator's shareholders, which include the state, Verelis said that operational problems appeared to stem from an inability of executives to handle contingencies.

''There is a contract with the German company that manages the airport and it does not offer the Greek state much more flexibility,'' the minister said.

He asked the airport's board to effect an urgent review of the company's business plan; to find out whether the existing plan was implemented on 12-14 February; and examine the effectiveness of the company's communication with the public.

On Sunday, the Civil Aviation Authority slapped a fine of 3.0 million euros on the airport's operator over its performance during the snowfall and its icy aftermath.

Athens water supply network fully restored, minister says:

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou on Monday said that the Athenian water supply network had been fully restored by midday, following damage incurred as a result of freezing conditions on Friday and over the weekend.

She said some problems still remained with local water networks run by municipalities in the suburbs, which were gradually being repaired.

The minister also announced that the government and the water board EYDAP had decided not to charge the public for water consumption caused by burst pipes and other network problems.

She said consumers will be charged on the basis of their consumption in the same trimester of the previous year, unless their current bill was much lower.

[16] UN top envoy on Cyprus arrives Tuesday for resumption of talks

Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy on Cyprus, arrives here Tuesday ahead of the start of intensive negotiations on Thursday to find a negotiated settlement, having had contacts in Dublin and Brussels.

De Soto is currently in Ireland, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, to talk to senior government officials who deal with the question of Cyprus.

John Paul Cavanaugh, who has served in the past in Cyprus as a senior UN political adviser, is currently at the Irish foreign ministry as deputy political director and has recently visited the island.

Following his consultations in Dublin, de Soto will fly on to Brussels where he is due to meet EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen, who is also heading to Cyprus on Wednesday, a day before the peace talks resume.

The European Commission is expected to dispatch a small team to the island, four to six members, to monitor and assist the work of the technical committees that will deal with legal and financial concerns, relating to the proposed solution, as this is outlined in

Kofi Annan's plan on a comprehensive settlement.

De Soto's working team, including legal and constitutional experts, returns Tuesday. The UN top envoy is expected at around 1930.

His consultations in Dublin and Brussels were considered an essential part of the preparations ahead of Thursday's talks, following last Friday's agreement between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides to begin talks.

The agreement said that the EU has given assurances to accommodate a settlement while the Commission will offer technical assistance during the course of the negotiations.

The Friday agreement aims at reuniting the island of Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, to enable the country to join united the EU on May 1 this year.

[17] France welcomes resumption of Cyprus peace talks

France has welcomed the resumption of negotiations this week with a view at finding a political settlement by May 1 this year, when Cyprus will join the European Union, a spokesman for the foreign ministry has said.

Paris has also welcomed the good will shown by the parties concerned and urged them to continue displaying a constructive approach to help reach an agreement.

''With regard to the three days of negotiations in New York on the question of Cyprus, the UN Secretary-General has announced that an agreement has been reached on the modalities and the timetable for the continuation of the talks,'' the spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

''France welcomes this significant progress. It welcomes the efforts of the Secretary-General and the good will shown by the parties to reach an agreement. It encourages the parties to continue in this constructive spirit with a view at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the question of Cyprus before May 1, 2004,'' the statement added.

Peace talks resume on Thursday in Cyprus, following an agreement reached in New York last Friday, between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides.

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