Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] EPP ends Athens summit in presence of six European PMs

[02] Caretaker interior minister says everything is in place for March 7 elections

[03] PASOK leader addresses rally in Mytilene, calls for change everywhere

[04] ND leader Karamanlis launches stinging attack against Papandreou, PASOK

[05] Powell sends letter congratulating new Greek FM, refers to Cyprus issue

[06] US will continue to provide diplomatic support to Cyprus talks

[07] PM Simitis meets with Netherlands counterpart Balkenende

[08] FM Yiannitsis meets NATO Secretary-General

[09] VPRC 'electoral barometer', American Research poll show ND retains lead

[10] EU guide on prevention of terrorist attacks during major sport events approved

[11] George Papandreou outlines March 7 election platform for the economy

[12] EU publishes council's opinion on Greek stability program

[13] Greek trade figures show slight improvement in 2003, report

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

[15] PM briefed on Athens tram construction, says work progressing well

[16] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in pressure on lower cap paper

[17] Austria optimistic over Athens Olympic Games' success

[18] French soccer star Christian Karembeu signs up as Athens Olympic Games volunteer

[19] Border checkpoints upgraded for 2004 Olympic Games

[20] Galatsi Olympic Hall completed

[21] Court rejects all procedural objections raised by defense in ELA trial

[22] Special forces unit brought in to arrest man that shot at police

[23] Papadopoulos says Turkish side raising issues outside Annan plan

[24] Top UN envoy: leaders had 'very constructive, business like' meeting

[25] Verheugen returns to Brussels optimistic about Cyprus solution

[01] EPP ends Athens summit in presence of six European PMs

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The summit focused primarily on the Brussels summit on March 25-26, mainly expected to examine the issue of employment, the European constitution and the issue of Cyprus.

Karamanlis bid farewell to his guests at the airport and expressed confidence that his party will win the March 7 elections.

He said the EPP's forces ''are a majority in Europe and will be so tomorrow as well'' and stressed that the climate was excellent during the summit.

Italian Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and Portuguese Prime Minister Durao Baroso expressed support for Karamanlis in public statements in view of the elections, as well as Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

Karamanlis said the target of the new governance is to decrease unemployment by 3 percent and the convergence of salaries and pensions with the European average over the next 8-10 years, as well as strengthening education, health and social security and, in essence, achieving a strong economy and an effective and humane state.

Referring to the issue of Cyprus, Karamanlis said he looks forward to successful negotiations and a solution which shall be in accordance with the acquis communautaire.

He added that a positive outcome will put an end to 30 years of clashes and Greek and Turkish Cypriots will enjoy the privileges of accession.

EPP President Wilfried Martens, who made joint statements with Karamanlis, said the ND leader will head a new strong government after many years of ideological uncertainty in Greece.

Dutch Prime Minister Balkenede, who also arrived in Athens for the summit, met with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in the morning.

[02] Caretaker interior minister says everything is in place for March 7 elections

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

He said ministry services were working feverishly to inform voters where they could exercise their right to vote, both through the Internet and the 1564 phone line.

In addition, he said a special supplement would go out in next Sunday's press that contained the same information.

Alevizatos reported that 60,000 members of the public had so far visited the 13 pavilions set up in Athens and the three pavilions in Thessaloniki to find out where they should vote. A further 3,500 calls a day were handled through the 1564 phone line. He said there would be a total of 404 polling stations for citizens living outside the municipality they vote in, or non-local voters, of which 106 would be mixed, serving both local and non-local voters.

He said 140,651 people had registered as non-local voters in the capital of their area of residence and 7,427 voters would be traveling to their own constituency.

The minister said that an agreement had been reached with the Athens Bar Association so that all judicial representatives at the mixed non-local voter polling stations will be judges, while judicial representatives would be transported to polling stations by helicopter on March 7 where access is difficult.

Alevizatos reported that the electorate in total came to 9,794,594 voters, of which 4,717,549 are men and 5,077,045 are women. There are 548,404 registered new voters that will cast their vote in a general election for the first time and 48,137 voters registered twice.

[03] PASOK leader addresses rally in Mytilene, calls for change everywhere

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou, who said his visit to the island was a pilgrimage in memory of his grandfather George Papandreou and his father Andreas Papandreou, raised the question who wants and who can bring about these changes and noted that these changes can be made by the Greek people with the democratic party as their leader.

He called on citizens from both the Right and Left to ''provide a momentum for new visions and strength for the great democratic party''.

Papandreou also sharply criticized main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, saying ''he does not want to belong and cannot belong to the new generation of politicians that will change everything in Greece''.

He further accused Karamanlis of ''not expressing the new era and its spirit'' and of ''systematically opposing all the bold changes and all the great options which enabled Greece to assert itself.''

Papandreou said the next four years will be the period of education with a continuous improvement and upgrading of the educational system, while 5 percent of GDP will be earmarked for expenditures in education.

He also said income will be redistributed for the benefit of weaker groups and clarified that pensions provided by the farmers' social security organization OGA will reach 300 euros and those by the social security foundation IKA 700.

National issues constituted another issue referred to by Papandreou, who said 2004 will be a crucial year for consolidating peace from a position of strength and added that the great task of creating a new Greece that shall be the center of the Balkans must be completed.

Papandreou said that as of March 8 a policy will be inaugurated which will reduce unemployment, increase incomes and multiply the possibilities of every citizen, adding that this will be the contract that his party will honor.

[04] ND leader Karamanlis launches stinging attack against Papandreou, PASOK

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Addressing an event at the ''Constantine Karamanlis Institute for Democracy'' in Athens, the ND leader said:''When citizens have been seeing for years the same problems being recycled and the same politicians returning with the same promises, in the same or in other packages, it is apparent that a crisis of credibility and effectiveness is created. What does it mean to start a revolution in education 14 years ago and now say that you want to restart because you have failed? How many times can one trust a system which systematically fails? What does it mean to share promises in front of the ballot box of compensation to farmers when you never cared and still owe them compensation for the damages of the past three years?''

Karamanlis criticized Papandreou for refusing the participation of the other political party leaders as well in a televised debate ahead of the March 7 general elections, stating that ''what is safeguarded in the Constitution on dialogue in Parliament cannot be trampled on outside of it. Corporate democracy, according to the perception of the PASOK leadership, does not recognize the right of speech to the Left and we disagree because this is a position of principle, democracy and political culture.''

Karamanlis criticized the ruling party of ''avoiding to examine scandalous issues'' and asked:''Is the quality of democracy compatible with impunity?''

[05] Powell sends letter congratulating new Greek FM, refers to Cyprus issue

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

He urges Yiannitsis to continue helping Annan to establish the degree of trust necessary for a true reconciliation between the two communities on Cyprus.

If this is achieved within the next two months, then all sides will have helped Cypriots on the way to a stable and prosperous future, Powell adds.

[06] US will continue to provide diplomatic support to Cyprus talks

WASHINGTON 20/02/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Replying to questions, Boucher explained that the US was not participating in the UN-sponsored negotiations between Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, which would be re-opening Thursday in Cyprus, but would be playing a ''very strong, positive and supportive role'' for UN secretary general Kofi Annan's efforts.

''As you know, we are not a participant in the talks, but we have provided and will continue to provide all necessary diplomatic support to the talks to try to help them reach a successful conclusion,'' Boucher said.

''The Secretary (Annan), as you know, has been in close touch with leaders of Greece, Turkey, and leaders on the island as well, and the United States has supported the process from the highest levels on down. Our Ambassador to Nicosia, Michael Klosson, is working to provide our support in these talks as they begin. Ambassador Thomas Weston (the state department's special coordinator on the Cyprus issue) is currently in Washington, but he is prepared to travel to the region as needed to provide diplomatic support to the process,'' he added.

Asked whether the US supports the role the European Union is playing the process, Boucher replied: ''We think the European Union has a role to play. It's been analyzed and defined a bit by the discussions they've had already, and that's fine with us.

Meanwhile, in New York, Annan said that the resumption of stalled Cyprus negotiations in Nicosia on Thursday was a "big opportunity" for the Cyprus people, and called on the two leaders to "work in good faith, in the spirit of a give and take process".

He said there was much work to be done, "but we know the issues and have an idea as to what the solution will be", adding that it was time to move forward and take the difficult decisions needed to resolve the Cyprus problem.

To a relevant question, Annan noted that the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots themselves would, in the end, vote on the solution agreed, in simultaneous referenda, "so as to express their desire".

Annan further expressed hope that the two leaders would work with the UN to create a plan and a document that was fair, and balanced, and one which the people would be able to approve, so that a reunited Cyprus could join the European Union.

[07] PM Simitis meets with Netherlands counterpart Balkenende

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The two prime ministers made no statements after the meeting, but diplomatic sources said the two men discussed developments in the European Union and the Cyprus issue.

[08] FM Yiannitsis meets NATO Secretary-General

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Following the talks, Scheffer told reporters that NATO can contribute on security issues concerning the Olympic Games, as it did at the Prague summit and the soccer championship.

On his part, Yiannitsis said that Greece is cooperating on an international level on this issue and is also in contact with NATO to see the possibility of assistance if it is deemed necessary.

Yiannitsis also referred to the resumption of talks in Nicosia earlier in the day for a settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan, noting that "we will do everything for such a solution to be reached."

[09] VPRC 'electoral barometer', American Research poll show ND retains lead

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The results of the two telephone polls, an 'electoral barometer' conducted by VPRC and an opinion poll by American Research, were unveiled in the Athens daily KATHIMERINI's Thursday edition and on private STAR television station Wednesday night, respectively.

VPRC poll: The VPRC electoral barometer appearing in Thursday's edition of Kathimerini newspaper showed a steady lead by ND, with the voter intent calculation showing a difference of 5 percentage points over PASOK.

The results of the nationwide telephone poll, conducted by telephone on 16 and 17 February among a sampling of 1,200 voters, put voter intent at 33.5 percent for ND, 29.3 percent for PASOK, 3.7 percent for KKE, 2.0 percent for SYN, 1.1 percent for LAOS, 0.4 percent for DHKKI, and 0.4 percent for other parties, while the undecided vote was put at 13.9 percent.

Calculation of the voter intent, based on more specific questions, put the voter intent at 47 percent for ND, 42 percent for PASOK, 5 percent for KKE, 3 percent for SYN, and one percent each for DHKKI, LAOS and "other party"

To a question of which party was expected to win the elections, regardless of the respondents' party preferences, 47 percent of respondents said ND, 25 percent said PASOK, and 25 percent said "neither", "another party", or "no response".

On the question of who was better qualified for prime minister, 45 percent of respondents said George Papandreou (ruling PASOK leader), 40 percent said Costas Karamanlis (main opposition New Democracy leader), and 15 percent said "neither".

Party cohesion was put at 97 percent for ND, 79 percent for PASOK, 77 percent for KKE, and 52 percent for SYN.

Regarding the undecided respondents (voters who voted for a specific party in the 2000 general elections but stated they were undecided as to the vote they will cast in the March 7, 2004 general elections), 44 percent had previously voted for PASOK, 14 percent for ND, 4 percent for SYN, 2 percent for DHKKI, 0 (zero) percent for the KKE, 30 percent for other parties, while 6 percent were new voters (people who will vote for the first time on March 7).

To the question on what their opinion was of former ND minister Stephanos Manos' cooperation with PASOK (seeking a seat in parliament on the PASOK ticket, and being placed in an electable position on the party's State ticket), 26 percent responded "rather positive", 54 percent "rather negative", 9 percent "neither positive nor negative", and 11 percent "don't know/no reply".

To the question on what their opinion was of former ND minister Andreas Andrianopoulos' cooperation with PASOK (seeking a seat in parliament on the PASOK ticket, and being placed in an electable position on the party's State ticket), 28 percent replied "rather positive", 50 percent "rather negative", 9 percent "neither positive nor negative", and 13 percent "don't know/no reply".

To the question of what their opinion was of former PASOK minister Stelios Papathemelis' cooperation with ND (seeking a seat in parliament on the ND ticket), 33 percent replied "rather positive", 42 percent "rather negative", 13 percent "neither positive nor negative", and 12 percent "don't know/no reply".

American Research poll: The American Research opinion poll, unveiled on private STAR television station late Thursday, showed ND leading over PASOK by 3.4 percentage points, while Papandreou was leading over Karamanlis by 2.7 percentage points as the "better qualified for prime minister".

The telephone poll, conducted on February 16-18 among a sampling of 1,200 voters nationwide, put voter intent at 37.7 percent for ND, 34.3 percent for PASOK, 5.0 percent for KKE, 2.6 percent for SYN, 2.3 percent for LAOS, and 0.3 percent for DHKKI.

To the question of who was better qualified for prime minister, 38.4 percent said Papandreou and 35.7 percent said Karamanlis.

With respect to who was expected to win the elections, 48.5 percent said ND, while 32.8 percent said PASOK.

Party cohesion was put at 85.8 percent for ND, and 78.7 percent for PASOK, while 13.3 percent of PASOK voters were seen as 'moving' to ND, while 2.0 percent of ND voters were seen as 'moving' to PASOK.

Metron Analysis poll shows George Papandreou party leader expressing youth most: PASOK leader George Papandreou is the party leader expressing young people most, according to a nationwide opinion poll carried out by the Metron Analysis company on behalf of the radio station FLASH.

The poll, conducted by telephone with a questionnaire between February 15-18 with a sample of 791 respondents aged between 18 and 34, gives Papandreou 44.6 percent and main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis 27.

Responding to the question of which party they trust, 39.2 percent of young people said PASOK, 31.5 ND, 2.5 the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 2 the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), 1.2 the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology and 0.8 the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

On the question of which party is closer to the times, PASOK received 40 percent, ND 29.5, KKE 3, LAOS 2, the Coalition of the Left 1.1 and DHKKI 0.7.

Lastly, on the question of which party is closer to youth, PASOK received 40.3 percent, ND 29.1, KKE 4.6, the Coalition of the Left 2, LAOS 1.5 and DHKKI 0.5.

MRB poll gives ND 3.3 pc lead over PASOK, Papandreou preferred as PM: A nationwide opinion poll carried out by the MRB company gives the main opposition New Democracy party a 3.3 percent lead over the ruling PASOK party ahead of the March 7 elections.

According to the report ''TASEIS'' (Trends), conducted between February 10-16 among a sample of 1,619 people and with the ballot box and questionnaire method, ND gets 39.6 percent, PASOK 36.3, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.3, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 3, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.9 and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 1.8.

On the question of ''which party do you think would win if elections took place today?'', respondents said ND 51.8 percent and PASOK 33.6.

As regards the question who is more suitable to become prime minister, PASOK leader George Papandreou gets 45.2 percent and ND leader Costas Karamanlis 41.7.

[10] EU guide on prevention of terrorist attacks during major sport events approved

BRUSSELS 20/02/2004 (ANA/V. Demiris)

Specifically, the Council of Justice and Internal Affairs Ministers, which convened here on Thursday, approved a ''practical cooperation guide'' which foresees the coordination and the exchange of information between the relevant authorities of the EU member-states for the prevention of terrorist attacks and the safeguarding of security at major sport events.

The 12-page guide, entitled ''For the prevention of terrorist attacks at the Olympic Games and at other sport events'', notes that the analysis of the danger and the assessment which will be made by the security services of the member-states on possible terrorist attacks will start six months before the holding of the major sport events, intensify as the starting date of the events approaches and finally conducted on a daily basis during the course of the events.

Taking part in this mobilization will be multi-lingual security officers of the host country while also foreseen, among other things, is the suspension of free flow of traffic with the temporary resumption of checks at the foreign borders. Every member-state can also send security officers at the place where the events are being held on condition that the relevant request has been submitted at least eight weeks before the start of the sport events. These officers will not be allowed to be armed and must know the working language which the host country has chosen. They will be subject to checks by the host country which will pay the cost of their stay while the cost for sending them will be paid by their country of origin.

The cooperation guide underlines that responsibility for the maintenance of public order lies with the host country and that the other member-states and relevant EU authorities are obliged to contribute in the strengthening of security.

These preventive measures are taken in view of the major sport events which will be held in the EU in the coming years, such as the Olympic Games in Athens, the European Soccer Championship in Portugal, the World Soccer Cup in Germany in 2006 and the World Rugby Cup in France in 2007.

[11] George Papandreou outlines March 7 election platform for the economy

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Implemented would be an acceleration of real convergence, creation of an attractive investment environment, and establishment of a stable taxation system, Papandreou told representatives of business at a meeting hosted by the National Bank of Greece.

In addition, access to education and employment would be given to all members of the public, and wealth more fairly distributed among underprivileged youth and the country's regions.

''The government to emerge after the elections will move to build an equitable and simple taxation system. We will seek broad agreement among the bodies involved and the political parties in order to ensure a decade of calm in the taxation system,'' Papandreou promised.

A PASOK government would also initiate legislation to simplify procedures for foreign investors, reducing the number of applications to one.

In addition, a new PASOK government would improve controls on companies to boost transparency; the tax-exempt bracket for low wages and pensions would continually rise; tax would drop on lower incomes; and corporate tax would fall to 30 per cent ahead of a further decline to 25 per cent.

Turning to the regions, Papandreou said that more European Funds from the Fourth Community Support Framework would be allocated to poorer areas by means of special policies increasing the proportion of regional programs. Island, mountain and declining regions would be tackled in separate policies.

Overall, economic stability would be maintained and real convergence spurred by means of fiscal policy aiming at a gradual reduction of deficits, mainly through spending cuts focusing on defense; and inflation would be tackled chiefly through reinforcing competition, Papandreou noted.

Finally, he pledged that investment in education would rise to 5.0 per cent of gross domestic product in 2008; and private tertiary institutes of education would be allowed to exist, especially to further growth on a sector and regional level.

[12] EU publishes council's opinion on Greek stability program

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The ministers' opinion noted the need for an updated review of long-term viability of public finances "due to previous estimates of the danger of long-term fiscal imbalances".

Greece's updated stability program envisages a 4.2 percent real GDP

growth in 2004 (from an estimated 4.0 percent growth in 2003) and a 4.0 percent average growth rate in the period 2004-2006.

It also envisages a 1.7 percent rise in employment in 2004 and a 1.2 percent increase in the period 2005-2006. The program also forecasts a general government's deficit of 1.2 percent of GDP this year, down from an estimated 1.4 percent in 2003.

The Council of Ministers "recommended" a more austere fiscal policy and a more effective use of favorable growth prospects in the country and noted that the deficit estimate for 2003 could be underestimated.

"The medium-term target set by the program for a near-balanced or surplus budget would not be achieved during the period of the program," the opinion said. The EU Ministers expect a gradual decline in the country's public debt to 90.5 percent of GDP by 2006 from 101.7 percent in 2003.

The Council warns of the danger of future large fiscal imbalances because of the demographic developments in the country and the high public debt.

[13] Greek trade figures show slight improvement in 2003, report

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The central bank, in its report on the country's current account balance for 2003 said the deficit eased slightly compared with the previous year to reach 5.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product from 6.0 percent in 2002. The current account deficit rose by 0.9 percent to 8.647 billion euros, reflecting a 0.3 percent drop in the trade deficit, a 6.9 percent rise in the services' surplus, a widening deficit in the incomes balance (25%), and a 6.5 percent decline in the transfers' surplus over the year.

More analytically, the fall in the trade deficit was attributed to higher revenues from exports of goods - excluding fuels - (521 million euros) and a 75 million euros drop in import payments reducing the trade deficit by 596 million euros in 2003. The fall in total trade deficit, however, was substantially smaller, as spending on net imports of fuel rose by 531 million euros last year.

The services' surplus rose by 743 million euros, reflecting improving revenues from transport services, while the country's tourist foreign exchange fell by 7.6 percent, the central bank said.

An expanding deficit in the balance of incomes, by 524 million euros last year, reflected increased interest payments by the Greek state to bond holders. Finally, a reduction in net transfer of money from the European Union led to a shrinking surplus in the transfer balance (by 360 million euros in 2003).

The country's financial services balance recorded a net inflow of 545 million euros last year (in the direct investment category), with the portfolio investment category recording a net inflow of 12.334 billion euros over the same period.

The "other" investment category recorded a net outflow of 7.624 billion euros in 2003.

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

Athens, 20/02/2004 (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.

[15] PM briefed on Athens tram construction, says work progressing well

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

In statements after inspecting the site, Simitis said he was satisfied with the progress in preparing this crucial addition to Athens' public transport network, which is due to be ready in time for the Olympics in August.

Simitis then boarded a tram carrying out test runs on the line and traveled from Glyfada to the tram depot at Hellinikon.

The premier referred to the importance of the project, both as an additional service to Athenians and during the August Olympics and stressed that the tram's construction was one of the country's contractual obligations when it undertook to host the Games, as well as being a legacy for the capital that would help transports tens of thousands of people every day.

Verelis said that the project was now in its final stages and that it would start to operate commercially from June 1, carrying roughly 80,000 passengers a day.

He said the tram would encourage many commuters to leave their cars at home, thus easing traffic congestion in the capital, while the tram itself was a modern, aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation.

[16] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in pressure on lower cap paper

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.59 percent to end at 2,469.02 points. Turnover was 150.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.49 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.45 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with losses of 0.68 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 242 to 60 with 55 issues remaining unchanged.

[17] Austria optimistic over Athens Olympic Games' success

VIENNA 20/02/2004 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

He was speaking during a special event jointly organized in Vienna by the Greek embassy's press office in Austria and the Austrian Olympic Committee on Wednesday night.

Wallner announced that Austria's state television will dedicate more hours of coverage to the Athens Games than to any other previous Olympic Games and emphasized the great indirect promotional benefits Greece will reap as a result.

Greece's ambassador to Austria, Theodore Sotiropoulos also addressed guests, among them Austrian Olympians, members of Austria's mass media and representatives of the Greek authorities in Austria, saying that ''there is a general expectation that the Athens Games will be unique,'' and placing emphasis on the Olympic Truce and the Cultural Olympiad that will be part of the 2004 Games.

Jorg Schill, a personal advisor to Athens 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki, also expressed confidence that the Athens Olympic Games will be a success and said ''perhaps the best ever.''

He added that ''Greece needs the Olympic Games for its society and for its economy.''

[18] French soccer star Christian Karembeu signs up as Athens Olympic Games volunteer

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Karembeu, who currently plays for the Greek club Olympiakos Piraeus, said afterwards ''I am a citizen of Athens and I wish to declare myself a volunteer for the Olympic Games because it is a great honor and I wish to share it with many others.''

He added that ''I never had the opportunity of participating in Olympic Games and I can do it in this way. I have given a relevant interview and I was thinking that volunteers are also necessary for the Paralympic Games and who have the same enthusiasm. We must pay great attention and handle the people participating in the Paralympic Games in the same way that we look upon all athletes.''

Asked which sports events he will be watching, apart from soccer, Karembeu said ''I like all sports, but I would like to watch the 100 meters final, as well as the 200 meters event because we have a Greek champion (Costas Kenteris). I hope the Games will produce many Greek medallists.''

On the question of what his duties will be as a volunteer, he said ''I would like to offer for any sport. Wherever it will be asked of men and in any case I will be there, wherever I am needed.''

Asked whether he will also be helping the candidacy of Paris to host the Olympic Games in 2012, Karembeu said ''why not? I hope the experience I will be having here will give me this opportunity.''

[19] Border checkpoints upgraded for 2004 Olympic Games

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The five checkpoints, termed ''Olympic Gates,'' that were upgraded in view of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games are: Evzonoi, Promahonas, Kipoi, Kakavia, and Nike, northern Greece.

Public Order Minister George Floridis will inaugurate the Evzonoi checkpoint on Saturday, while Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will inaugurate the Promahonas checkpoint.

The projects began in March 2003 with a total budget of 5 million euros and involved a complete refurbishment of the checkpoints, including the external structure and premises used by the public inside.

Evzonoi and Promahonas are the first checkpoints to be completed, while the remaining three will be finished over the next few months.

[20] Galatsi Olympic Hall completed

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

The Hall, which covers a total area of 38,000 sq. meters is comprised of the main building (competition area, stands, etc.)and the trainers' building. It has a seating capacity of 6,000.

[21] Court rejects all procedural objections raised by defense in ELA trial

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

This included objections regarding the competency of the court to try the case and whether the crimes that the defendants are accused of are political.

The court found that the trial of cases involving organized crime by a Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court was in accordance with the Constitution and did not contravene Constitutional guarantees for trial by a 'natural judge'.

It also found that political crimes were those that contributed to the overthrow of the established order and that other crimes, even if their perpetrator had political motives, could not be defined as political. Finally, it said that terrorism and acts of armed violence fall under the definition of common criminal offences.

The judges also found that membership of a terrorist organization was a continuous offence until the departure of the member from the group, thus rejecting arguments rose by the defense that the statute of limitations for the offence had expired for their clients.

Finally, the court dismissed arguments that the Appeals Council ruling that ordered the defendants to stand trial was flawed, saying that this ruling was 'irreversible' and could not be judged by the court that was hearing the case it brought to trial.

After the court announced its decisions, the defense requested a recess and asked for copies of the court's reasoning in dismissing their objections.

In a later joint statement, the defense lawyers questioned the court's decisions and claimed these put the law above the Constitution. In particular, they stressed concern over the court's view that it was not competent to judge the ruling that brought the defendants to trial.

[22] Special forces unit brought in to arrest man that shot at police

Athens, 20/02/2004 (ANA)

Dimitris Panayiotopoulos, 45, was finally arrested at 13:30 in an EKAM operation during which he received two bullets in the abdomen and one in the left hand. He is now being treated at Evangelismos Hospital.

Panayiotopoulos apparently took a pot shot at three police officers from the Ilioupolis police department on Thursday morning, who came to serve him with a court order sentencing him to 14 months imprisonment and take him in. The sentence was for resisting authority during a traffic police inspection and was passed in his absence.

Police officer Constantine Bozios was injured in the back by shrapnel and is now being treated in hospital, where doctors say he is out of danger.

The culprit barricaded himself in his basement flat at around 10:00, which was quickly surrounded by police. After efforts to persuade him to come out with a special negotiator failed, the special forces decided to move in.

Panayiotopoulos then tried to escape from his bathroom window and shot against the officers three times, hitting one EKAM man who escaped injury because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

The police returned fire, hitting and subduing the 45-year-old.

According to neighbors, Panayiotopoulos had been injured in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago and has since had problems that made him particularly aggressive.

[23] Papadopoulos says Turkish side raising issues outside Annan plan

NICOSIA 20/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on returning to the Presidential Palace after Thursday's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, the president said ''my opinion is that most issues are outside the framework of the plan and raise fundamental provisions of the plan, the core issues.''

Asked if he was optimistic after Thursday's meeting, President Papadopoulos said he could not answer that question because ''one issue may not be solved and thus ruin all the rest.''

''It is too early, we have not dealt with the substance of the issues,'' he added.

Invited to say if he was pleased with the meeting, the president said ''it was a useful meeting'' but noted that ''it is too soon to speak about being pleased or anything else.''

He said ''we are going to the talks on one hand with political will to find a solution that will comply with the acquis communautaire and on the other hand with determination to defend what we consider to be inalienable rights of Cypriot Hellenism.''

The Cypriot president said the next meeting would be held on Friday at 0930 local time.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Talks resumed on Thursday in Nicosia with a view to reach an agreement that would be put to referenda before Cyprus joints the EU on May 1.

[24] Top UN envoy: leaders had 'very constructive, business like' meeting

NICOSIA 20/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

He said the meeting ''went well'' and announced that talks will take place, as a general rule, every morning but did not rule out the possibility of additional meetings or changes to this schedule.

The UN envoy appealed to the two sides for a news blackout with regard to the contents of their discussions with him.

''The leaders met this morning for over two hours, it was a very constructive session with ample good will and business like spirit shown by the two sides,'' he said after Thursday's meeting.

''Following the meeting the leaders joined me in a social encounter with Mr Verheugen, (EU Commissioner for enlargement) who is here with me, where Mr Verheugen took the opportunity to explain a little bit more about the European Commission's role in support of the UN efforts,'' de Soto said.

Asked about the program of the meetings in the weeks ahead, he said if necessary there will be meetings at the weekends as well. ''This is not ruled out at all,'' he added.

The two leaders, he continued, will be meeting every day at 0930 local time (0730 GMT) and they reserve the afternoons for internal consultations.

''This is the general rule, there may be departures from this, sometimes they may take a morning off for some reason, there may be some other days when they decide to meet in the afternoon, but the general rule unless otherwise decided is that they will meet every morning at 0930,'' he said.

Asked if he was pleased with what he had heard on Thursday morning, he replied ''I said what I have to say about the meeting, it went well.''

Asked about applying a blackout for the media, he said ''it is highly desirable and I hope that both leaders will agree to say as little as possible, better yet nothing about what actually goes on in the room there.''

Talks resumed on Thursday after an 11-month break, since last March when Denktash led the negotiations to a deadlock. Last week the two leaders agreed to begin talks with a view at reaching agreement by March 22, holding separate simultaneous referenda a month later, something that would allow Cyprus to join the EU as a reunited country, now divided for nearly 30 years since Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part.

[25] Verheugen returns to Brussels optimistic about Cyprus solution

NICOSIA 20/02/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Verheugen told a press conference, after concluding a series of meetings on the island, that the EU is not part of the negotiations that resumed on Thursday in Cyprus with a view to reuniting the island before it accedes to the Union in May, noting that ''we are just there to facilitate'' and that one should expect ''an invasion of EU officials'' in Cyprus over the next days and weeks to offer their expertise.

He also said that the EU would stick to its commitments by starting, immediately after a solution is found, a project for the economic and social integration of the areas currently under Turkish occupation, adding that the EU is prepared to accommodate everything in the agreement to be reached that can be accommodated.

Referring to his meetings on the island, Verheugen said he met on Wednesday with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, and on Thursday with the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, President Papadopoulos, House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, so-called prime minister of the occupation regime Mehmet Ali Talat, and the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties. He also had a joint meeting with President Papadopoulos, Denktash and de Soto.

Verheugen said the purpose of his visit was ''firstly to demonstrate the preparedness and willingness of the EU to welcome, not only the Greek Cypriots but also the Turkish Cypriots as citizens of the EU on the 1st of May 2004 and do everything we can to support and facilitate the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General to solve the Cyprus problem.''

''We feel it is in our interest, in the interest of all the involved parties to use the opportunity, to use the window of opportunity that is still open and to find a solution now,'' he said.

Referring to the second purpose of his visit, Verheugen said it was ''of a more technical and legal nature but perhaps even more difficult and perhaps even more important.''

He explained that ''we have to organize the assistance offered by the EU in the structures of the EU, we will provide Mr. de Soto and his team with legal and technical expertise on all issues that are EU related, and we will discuss in the framework of the UN structures with the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots the technical preparation for membership that is already done and completed with the Republic of Cyprus.''

Verheugen said ''now we might have a new Cyprus with a new division of competences and we have to examine the situation again'' to make sure that the legal system of ''the new state is compatible'' with the acquis communautaire.

The Commissioner noted that one should expect ''an invasion of EU officials'' in Cyprus over the next days and weeks to offer their expertise.

''For us it is a matter of the highest priority to help find a solution and not to miss it,'' he said.

Making some political comments, Verheugen noted that ''the most important element of the new situation was the fact that the Turkish government decided to play a very constructive and helpful role.''

''My impression today was that we are now relatively close but not yet there. There are still doubts, fears and reluctance on the one side but there is also a strong commitment and a lot of goodwill and common ground on the other hand. I think the situation is now better than ever,'' he added.

A third political point he made was that ''the EU will stick to its commitments,'' explaining that ''in case of a settlement we are prepared to immediately start a huge project of economic and social integration of the north.''

''In case of a settlement, we have foreseen for Cyprus more than 300 million euros to be spent over the next three years and the lion's share of more than 250 million euros is foreseen for the north,'' he noted.

Verheugen said he would be leaving the island on Thursday night ''certainly more confident and more optimistic than before but still not optimistic enough to say it is already a done deal.''

Replying to questions on the EU's role in the peace talks, Verheugen said ''the situation is very clear, we are not part of the negotiations.''

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