Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek productivity up 3 pct in 1996-2002, EU says

[02] 'Lockdown' on opinion polls after Friday until elections

[03] Mainstream parties combine proposals on structure of party leaders' debates

[04] PASOK leader visits KAPI, promises 'dignified living conditions' for aged

[05] EPP directorate begins work in Athens, ND leader confident of election victory

[06] Communist party leader calls on leftists to support party, visits Perama

[07] FM addresses discussion organized by Greek think tank OPEK

[08] Prime Minister inaugurates steam-powered electricity plant

[09] Greek exports rose to record levels in 2003, report

[10] 'Filoxenia 04' joint venture cautiously optimistic over house rental program

[11] Greek-Iranian Chamber of Commerce significant tool, new Iranian Ambassador says

[12] Greece ranks 15th in enlarged EU for per capita income

[13] Stocks rise in consolidation

[14] ND leader Karamanlis pays first visit to ATHOC headquarters

[15] Synchronized diving preliminaries held at Olympic Stadium swimming pool

[16] Event held in Azerbaijan on Cultural Olympiad

[17] New university faculty announced for London School of Economics

[18] PASOK leader announces measures to relieve the disabled

[19] Eurodeputies support return of Parthenon Marbles

[20] UNFICYP announces resumption of talks at 1000

[21] UN Secretary-General's message to Cyprus in view of talks

[22] Denktash says EU to offer help only if necessary

[23] Verheugen offers Commission's encouragement ahead of peace talks

[24] Michel says Annan plan enables functional Cyprus in

[01] Greek productivity up 3 pct in 1996-2002, EU says

BRUSSELS 19/2/2004 (ANA/ M.Spinthourakis)

Presenting the findings of an EU report on economic and social cohesion, EU Commissioner Michel Barnier also said that Greece, aided by EU structural policies, had greatly increased its productive base and created the conditions for a steady alignment of income for the public with that in other countries of the bloc.

The EU's structural funding to Greece led to a 9.0 per cent rise in investments; and represented around 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product in 1994-2001, Barnier said.

The report said that if Greece had not received the funds, then its gross domestic product would be lower by 2.0 per cent.

At the same time, it noted that economic cohesion in the bloc had yet to be achieved as Greece and Portugal still had a per capita gross domestic product 30 per cent lower than the EU average.

And the range of foreign investments in Greece, Spain Portugal and Italy was limited, with foreign investments in Greece and Italy representing about 1.0 per cent of gross domestic product.

Greece ranked second to bottom in the EU's poverty table with 20 per cent of the population in jeopardy of living under the poverty level, the report said.

[02] 'Lockdown' on opinion polls after Friday until elections

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Reporting and broadcasting the results of opinion polls will be permitted until midnight on Friday.

Exit polls are permitted on the day of the elections, but there results cannot be published or broadcast in any way until ballot boxes close at 19:00 on March 7.

[03] Mainstream parties combine proposals on structure of party leaders' debates

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Nikos Athanassakis and Pavlos Geroulanos from PASOK and Theodoros Roussopoulos and Yiannis Adrianos from ND agreed that televised dialogue between the two leaders will include both questions on specific topic entities and across-the-board questions.

What remains to be solved is the number of the televised debates and when they will take place, since time remaining until the March 7 elections is limited and the leaders' tour programs are tight.

What has to be taken into consideration is that the first day of next week is a holiday, while on Tuesday and Wednesday the European Champions League soccer tournament is taking place.

However, the possibility is being considered of at least one debate taking place during the last week before the elections, with Monday being the most likely day.

Coalition leader seeks state intervention in party-leader debate issue: Coalition of the Radical Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Wednesday demanded that the Cross-party Committee for pre-election party coverage be immediately convened to discuss the procedure for party-leader debates on television, in a letter to caretaker Interior Minister Nikos Alevizatos.

He stressed that this was not an issue that should be left to the two main parties, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, and that the Committee should discuss possible televised debates between all the party leaders.

''Both the content of the discussion about the televised debates between [PASOK leader George] Papandreou and [ND leader Costas] Karamanlis, and the way this is carried out, create a major political and Constitutional issue. The way the elections are organized, ensuring equal treatment of all the parties and establishing the public's right to information from a plurality of sources is a matter for the state and not the two party leaders and their appointed representatives,'' he said in the letter.

[04] PASOK leader visits KAPI, promises 'dignified living conditions' for aged

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

He stressed the need to rebuild neighborhoods within the city and to cultivate politeness between the state and citizens.

Regarding the present situation for old people, Papandreou conceded that pensions were currently too low and that the level of care provided by social services through the 'Help at Home' program and the KAPI 'senior citizen open protection centers' was still inadequate.

He said, however, that these constituted a ''basic framework'' that, if improved and combined with a change of attitude in society, would ensure that the aged were dealt with as people who could still live a full life.

''The big difference between us and New Democracy is that we treat weaker citizens as people with potential and rights, not as objects of interest and charity. We believe in you and invest in you,'' he concluded.

He pledged a series of measures designed to improve living conditions for old people, including:

To increase pensions above the rate of inflation within four years, at the rate of 5 per cent per year;

To increase the EKAS income supplement benefit to 200 euros, to raise the basic OGA pension to 300 euros a month and the basic IKA pension plus EKAS to 700 euros;

To provide support for families taking care of elderly parents and incentives to avoid their commitment to retirement homes;

Special programs designed for older people on television;

Internet training and Internet connections at the KAPI centers;

An open university for the 'third age';

Establishing an Assistant Senior Citizens' Ombudsman;

Establishing hostels for semi-autonomous residence;

Telematic medical assistance and mobile medical services for remote areas;

A national week for the aged;

To involve the KAPI centers in parallel events for the Olympiad and use old people as Olympic volunteers and in order to promote the Olympic Truce.

[05] EPP directorate begins work in Athens, ND leader confident of election victory

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

''In one month two new governments from our political family will emerge from elections in Spain and our country and a month later the Euroelections will widen the existing majority and will lead to new correlations in the EU,'' Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis made joint statements with EPP President Wilfred Martens saying Europe was seeking a new balance and was being called on to forge ahead with an economy which shall grow faster and where the fruits of growth would be distributed among more. The ND leader said he is promoting the common market's integration, the creation of a stable tax system which shall lead to the creation of new jobs, the creation of new enterprises, particularly from young people, the taking of initiatives for greater emphasis to be placed on education and culture, support for people belonging to low and medium income levels, protection for socially weaker groups and the taking of solidarity measures between citizens.

''Our country's new governance will promote employment and a decrease in unemployment by 3 percent, the convergence of salaries and pensions with the EU's average over the next 8-10 years, tax arrangements for 800,000 enterprises, rapid growth, more investments and more jobs and strong and specific incentives for the employment of women, young people and the long-term unemployed,'' he said.

A number of EU prime ministers and EPP members will be arriving in Athens on Thursday, such as Jose Maria Aznar of Spain and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, while French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin telephoned to Karamanlis and informed him that he will not be attending the session since local elections will be taking place in France these days.

[06] Communist party leader calls on leftists to support party, visits Perama

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Papariga said no confidence can be given to the ruling PASOK party, while the main opposition New Democracy party can offer no substitute.

She also referred to PASOK leader George Papandreou's recent visit to Cyprus, saying ''George Papandreou forgot to inform those who gathered in Rhodes that he is in a hurry to close the Cyprus issue in any way and that the turn of the Aegean is coming, which he wants to close in accordance with American interests, ignoring how many and which sovereign rights will be granted.''

[07] FM addresses discussion organized by Greek think tank OPEK

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Yiannitsis said that the Greek political system had focused on restoring democratic institutions and freedoms during the '70s, then on bridging social divides, the challenges of joining the European Union and the opening up of Greek society to the international environment in the '80s.

By the 1990s, he said, Greek society was tired of constant failures and faced with low growth rates, persistent imbalances and social problems and had fallen behind relative to Europe.

There followed a dramatic change in expectations and the way the political system operated, with accession to EMU a landmark in the normalization and modernization of economic and political life, combined with the switch to a service economy and the repercussions of globalization on the country, he added.

According to the minister, under these conditions the election cycles in the economy and the political system were broken and had shifted from issues of democracy to more mundane, everyday issues.

"Ideology can no longer solve all the problems, while it highlights how misguided it is to believe that everything can be achieved through the state," he said.

[08] Prime Minister inaugurates steam-powered electricity plant

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

In his inaugural speech, Mr Simitis referred to a series of development projects implemented in the Florina prefect in recent years and in the wider Western Macedonia region. He expressed his confidence that PASOK would win March's general election because it was the only party capable to deal effectively the country's issues.

He noted that recent achievements were made possible because of the hard and systematic work of the Greek people and the government. "There are no automatic pilots, nothing it was given to us in free."

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos announced plans to build another electricity production unit in the area.

The steam-powered electricity plant in Melitis has a power of 330 MWatt and an annual production capacity of 2,500 gigaWatt. It is considered a raw model for European standards. Its budget totalled 571 million euros and it took 55 months to complete the project.

[09] Greek exports rose to record levels in 2003, report

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

The Federation said its estimates were based on an analysis of export trends in the first nine months of 2003. Mrs Christina Sakellaridis, president of the Federation, speaking to reporters said that ''in order to stabilize and improve these positive developments it is necessary to implement a national plan to promote exports, based on recommendations made by the Federation''.

Greek exports to the US rose by 38 percent to reach 1.0 billion euros in 2003 bringing the American market third in the list of Greece's main export markets, leaving Britain in fourth place.

Bulgaria ranked fifth, while France fell from the third place it once had to the sixth of seventh place. Among EU newcomers, Poland is evolving as a significant export market for Greece, with exports totalling 200 million euros in 2003.

The report by the Panhellenic Federation of Exporters attributed the satisfactory improvement in export performance to manufactured products, accounting for 23 percent of total exports. Exports of chemicals are expected to reach 1.5 billion euros in 2003, raising their share to 12 percent of total exports from 8.0 percent in 2000.

On the other hand, exports of farm products are steadily declining to 22-23 percent of total exports currently compared with a 28 percent average share in the 1990s.

Exports in the first nine months of 2003 totalled 8.777 billion euros, up 6.2 percent from the same period in 2002. Exports to developed countries rose 16 percent, while exports to OECD member-states increased by 22 percent.

Export growth figures are even more significant as they coincided in a period of a strong euro currency rate (up 20 percent in the January-September period last year). Exports in US dollar terms rose 28 percent (39 percent to OECD countries and 37 percent to EU countries).

Imports grew faster totalling 29.449 billion euros, up 23 percent compared with the first nine months of 2002. The report said that the fact that imports grew 3.7 times more compared with exports reflected lack in competitiveness and a steady import penetration in the country.

It also said that higher imports partly reflected increased needs because of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Imports grew 30 percent from developed states and by 29 percent from EU states. The report said it expected imports to surpass the 40 billion euro barrier for the first time ever in 2003.

[10] 'Filoxenia 04' joint venture cautiously optimistic over house rental program

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

The joint venture has undertaken the project following a tender proclaimed by the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Organizing Committee.

According to assessments by the joint venture and relevant officials, 3,000 houses will be required.

Data presented during a press conference on Wednesday by the joint venture's general director Costas Pallis, the Organizing Committee's hospitality director V. Neiadas and its press and mass media general director S. Kotrotsos showed that 300 contracts have been concluded with overseas clients.

However, the interest of real estate owners in the program remains great since over 30,000 owners have made applications to join the specific program.

The joint venture's mechanics have so far checked about 3,500 houses and 600 contracts have been concluded.

On the question of criteria for evaluating and classifying houses, which real estate owners consider to be ''vague'', Pallis said objective criteria exist for the classification of houses and that most of them approved so far are qualified as second category ones.

By a recent decision of the Greek Tourist Organization (EOT), houses built before 1981 are also included in the program, while small apartments in the center of Athens are being sought.

Pallis reminded that the net revenues for every bed amount to 35-40 euros for the third category, 70 euros for the second and 90 for the first, while negotiations are taking place for luxury ones.

The owners, after the contracts are signed, receive 10 percent of the money and the remaining 90 percent when it is used. The house is rented for at least 12 days, with the longest duration being two months.

[11] Greek-Iranian Chamber of Commerce significant tool, new Iranian Ambassador says

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

He stressed the importance of the chamber in involving private sector initiatives of both states in ventures in Greece and Iran, which will in turn increase the current trade between the two countries.

According to Mohtashami, the current trade – minus petrol sales of Iran to Greece – stands at 60 million dollars, while petrol sales amount to some 700 million dollars per year. (Greece imports some 22,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Iran.)

The ambassador also underlined that further work is necessary to create and provide the necessary tools for businesses for ventures in both Greece and Iran.

On a long-term note, he underlined the resolve of Iran to push for a natural gas pipeline through Turkey and Greece to the European Union, turning Greece, as he said, into a conduit of energy sources.

Mohtashami, however, did not limit his scope to finances, he noted that a paintings exhibit of Iranian artists will open in Athens and spoke of efforts he will undertake for the staging of “Antigone” – the ancient Greek tragedy of Sophocles – by an Iranian theater group during the Cultural Olympiad days.

On a different note he offered the heartfelt thanks of his country for Greece’s support during the earthquake that claimed tens of thousands of lives in Bam, Iran. He also expressed his thanks for the Greek government’s continued support in improving relations with the EU, which as he said did move toward the right direction during the Greek, EU presidency of the first half of 2003.

“We have enjoyed Greece’s support regarding EU issues,” he noted.

He concluded by announcing that he will extend an invitation to the Greek prime minister to visit Teheran and will work to prepare the ground necessary for a state visit.

[12] Greece ranks 15th in enlarged EU for per capita income

BRUSSELS 19/2/2004 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

The ranking, in which Cyprus came 14th, forms part of a report by the EU's Commission on cohesion in the block.

It was the first time that Greece moved up from last place of the bloc's current 15 members, slightly above Portugal.

The Commission's report was a proposal that recommended a continuation of the award of structural funds to Greece after enlargement.

[13] Stocks rise in consolidation

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.42 percent to end at 2,483.60 points. Turnover was 161.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.48 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.33 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with losses of 0.47 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 207 to 99 with 55 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of February 18 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,292 1,263

[14] ND leader Karamanlis pays first visit to ATHOC headquarters

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis met with ATHOC chief Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, for the second time in a week, and discussed all issues and problems concerning preparation for the Olympic Games.

During the 45-minute meeting, which took place in an "excellent climate", according to an ND press release, Karamanlis was briefed on problems concerning the Calatrava dome over the main Olympic Sports Complex, projects on Marathon Boulevard which have delayed, and difficulties existing in other projects. He further discussed Olympics security and other sectors with the competent ATHOC members.

After the meeting, Karamanlis spoke of the "pressure of time", with only 177 days remaining to the commencement of the Games, as well as the need for all the Greeks, united, to work for the success of the Athens Olympics, which he called a "national goal".

Karamanlis criticized the government of delays and problems, but expressed optimism that Greece would succeed in organizing safe and impeccable Games.

[15] Synchronized diving preliminaries held at Olympic Stadium swimming pool

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

The two Greek athletes, while being among the first four until the 4th and first to last dive decided with their coach Petros Fyrigos to make an effort having a high degree of difficulty, resulting in their failure and in their ultimately coming in 17th place with 260.64 points.

However, they will be present in Saturday's final (due to take place at 7 p.m.) since, according to the International Federation's regulations, if the organizer is left out of the final 12 he participates in the final as the 13th contestant.

''We knew that we would qualify, one way or another, for the final and we decided to take a risk and try a very difficult dive. If this dive is successful for us in the Olympic Games we shall come very close to winning a medal,'' Syranidis said shortly after the end of the event.

[16] Event held in Azerbaijan on Cultural Olympiad

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Greek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mercurios V. Karafotias spoke at the event, which was attended by members of the country's ministerial council, its diplomatic corps and members of the culture and art sectors.

Mechriban Aliyeva, president of the Azerbaijani Cultural Olympiad Committee (also wife of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev) and the Committee's vice president (and culture minister as well) also addressed the event.

[17] New university faculty announced for London School of Economics

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

''The aim is for us to strengthen ties already existing with Greece, since it is strengthening its position in Europe and the world in general,'' Sir Davies said.

The faculty will focus on the historical study of economic and political activities of southeastern Europe and of changes in their economies.

An announcement by the LSE said that out of 8,000 students attending the university every year 215 are Greeks, most of whom attend postgraduate programs.

Graduates include Prime Minister Costas Simitis, PASOK party leader George Papandreou, main opposition New Democracy party Deputy George Alogoskoufis and Bank of Greece Governor Nikolaos Garganas.

[18] PASOK leader announces measures to relieve the disabled

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou promised a new policy governing benefits and strict control for the access of the disabled to public buildings (with fines being imposed in cases where existing terms are not applied), as well as an improvement in access for the disabled to public transport, with suitable training being provided for their drivers.

On the question of special training schools, Papandreou said they will join the general education system, while the institution of the all-day school will be extended to them and tutorial staff in all three levels of education will specialize in training the blind.

The PASOK leader also said there will be strict observance of the law in finding employment for the disabled and the implementation of supported employment for those who fail to enter the labor market and the removal of terms which possibly conceal discrimination against the disabled.

[19] Eurodeputies support return of Parthenon Marbles

Athens, 19/2/2004 (ANA)

The letter's authors argued that a large part of British public opinion supports the Marbles' return, stating ''81% of those surveyed in a recent poll and 90% of British museum employees, according to a survey conducted by their association, respond favorably to the request for the Parthenon Marbles to be returned to Athens some time in 2004.''

The letter also stated, ''we request that your government give positive consideration to Greece's request regarding the return of the Marbles and that it contribute to the restoration of the Acropolis Monument.''

Alavanos stressed that ''within a Europe that has become united, without boundaries, it is not tolerable that the Parthenon - characterized as a unique monument by UNESCO - remains divided and mutilated.''

[20] UNFICYP announces resumption of talks at 1000

NICOSIA 19/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

According to an UNFICYP media advisory, the talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders and their respective delegations will resume at 10 a.m. Thursday at the site of the conference center in the presence of the Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

[21] UN Secretary-General's message to Cyprus in view of talks

UNITED NATIONS 19/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Annan also said that now is the time to move forward and to take the hard decisions necessary to make the solution happen, adding that it is a great chance for the people of Cyprus to come together and unite the island.

The UN chief, speaking less than 24 hours before the resumption of the UN-led peace talks in Cyprus, expressed the hope that the leaders will work with the UN to produce a plan that is fair and balanced where the people can vote on and enter the united Europe together.

[22] Denktash says EU to offer help only if necessary

NICOSIA 19/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Denktash was speaking after meeting the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who said that after consultations with the leaders of both communities on the island, he was ''in a position to announce that tomorrow at 1000 will be the first on island meeting between the leaders, and in the afternoon at 1530 the technical committees will have their first organizational meeting.''

Asked about the agenda of the talks, de Soto said ''the agenda I think is well known,'' while Denktash, replying to the same question, said it would be ''the Cyprus problem.''

Denktash said they will decide on Thursday ''how many times they will meet every week,'' adding that he discussed with de Soto Thursday's program.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said Verheugen will meet with him and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos at Nicosia Airport at the end of the first meeting and that later in the afternoon Denktash will meet Verheugen at his office in occupied Nicosia.

On the role of the EU, Denktash said the EU and Verheugen ''have no status in the talks or in the course of the talks''. He said that Verheugen is in Cyprus ''to say that the EU is here to help if and when we call them and he will explain in what fields he can help us, that's all.'' Furthermore, Denktash said that at 1500 he will meet with Verheugen again and will be able to talk to him ''about the derogations and how these can become primary law and so on, which are very serious matters for us.''

Denktash said that de Soto had requested of him not to ask for too many changes in the Secretary-General's solution plan.

De Soto said that in his meeting earlier in the day with President Papadopoulos they discussed issues related to the resumption of the peace negotiations.

Asked if any decisions on the procedure of the talks were taken, de Soto replied ''no, I came to consult with Mr Papadopoulos about the organization of the work in the meetings that are to begin tomorrow.''

Asked if the agenda of the talks was part of Wednesday's discussions, he said ''we discussed virtually everything related to tomorrow's meetings.''

[23] Verheugen offers Commission's encouragement ahead of peace talks

LARNACA 19/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Verheugen said he believed that now there is sufficient common ground and enough political will to bring the Cyprus problem to an end.

Verheugen said he is ''very, very glad to be back in Cyprus, under much better circumstances and conditions than ever," noting he is ''visibly optimistic."

''My message today is a message of encouragement and appreciation," he said, adding that he highly appreciates ''what both parties have done."

''I highly appreciate the support of Turkey and Greece, the US, the UK and particular I have to praise the crucial efforts of the

Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, and his Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto," Verheugen said.

The Commissioner noted the EU has played ''a role to create a political breakthrough that we saw last week in New York."

''I think there is now sufficient common ground and enough political will to bring a conflict that is decades old and is still the only divided capital in Europe in place, to bring that conflict to an end," he said.

He added the purpose of his visit on Wednesday and Thursday ''is first of all to discuss the political situation with the leaders of the two communities and with the UN and to repeat our messages, to confirm again that we are ready to accept a united Cyprus as a respected equal member of the EU."

[24] Michel says Annan plan enables functional Cyprus in

EU NICOSIA 19/2/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking through an interpreter after meeting in Nicosia with his Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou, Michel said the federal model gave solutions to problems and pointed out that prospects to solve the Cyprus problem were never so favorable.

Iacovou said the Greek Cypriot side would attend Thursday's resumption of peace talks in Nicosia with goodwill with a view to reach a settlement but appeared pessimistic regarding the issues the Turkish Cypriot side is bringing to the table. He also revealed that the Greek Cypriot side would raise seven points in the negotiations, with emphasis on the functionality of the Annan plan.

Michel said he understood there were concerns about the functionality of the plan, adding that he himself came from a country with a federal system, which is on one hand complex but on the other functional. He noted that solutions are always found through discussions. ''I believe the federal system is one that offers solutions,'' he said, noting that there were certain issues that must be discussed on Cyprus in order to make the solution plan viable.

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