Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Candidates tour the provinces a week before election

[02] PM tours Evrytania prefecture

[03] Papandreou outlines local gov't policy

[04] Karamanlis sharply attacks ruling PASOK in Thessaloniki address

[05] DIKKI's Tsovolas outlines party's economic policy to ANA

[06] Ministry flatly denies quote attributed to DM in 'Financial Times' story

[07] Church of Greece, Patriarchate reportedly move towards compromise

[08] Rogge: Success of 2004 Games a challenge for Greece

[09] Australia's Coates praises Athens Olympic Village

[10] Weston: possibilities for Cyprus settlement are enhanced geometrically

[11] Papadopoulos briefs National Council parties over Cyprus negotiations

[01] Candidates tour the provinces a week before election

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

PASOK president and former foreign minister George Papandreou spoke to supporters on the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Cephallonia on Saturday, where he emphasized what he cited as the main differences between his party and rival New Democracy (ND).

Papandreou stressed that a government ensuring stability and competitiveness in the economy is needed, “and we at PASOK have proved this”.

Moreover, he said the dilemma in the current elections is whether to proceed with a participatory democracy or to proceed with the re-establishment of the partisan state; “whether we’ll have social justice and solidarity or recession, unemployment and regression… the major dilemma is progress or conservatism,” he told supporters.

On nearby Cephallonia, he charged that rival ND is afraid of the “birth of something new”, and that the main opposition is mired in the past.

Referring to his recent election as the leader of ruling PASOK party, in place of outgoing Prime Minister Costas Simitis, he dismissed ND’s criticism of the one million people that cast a vote in the party election as merely a “PR trick”, countering that a “political storm”, rather than a “communications storm”, is at hand.

Karamanlis: Main opposition ND leader Costas Karamanlis, meanwhile, first spoke from the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, where, among others, he promised to help transform the archipelagos into a center of development and culture.

“Again, I want to send from here a message of peace and cooperation to the Turkish people,” Karamanlis told a crowd of sup-porters on a large Greek island that lies only a few miles off the Asia Minor coast. “We have worked for a normalization of Greek-Turkish relations because we believed and we believe that it is in the benefit of both peoples. We want to develop relations based on sincere cooperation.”

On Saturday as well, this time from the largest city on Crete, Irakleio, Karamanlis reiterated that Greece is emerging from a period that characterized the restoration of democracy in the country (after 1974) and entering a new era.

“... An era that demands more security, greater prosperity and a stronger social cohesion. An era that calls for a new relationship between the citizen and politics … a relationship of trust.”

Karamanlis finished off the weekend by visiting the Archaeological Museum of Marathon, northeast of Athens proper, near the battlefield where the ancient Athenians beat back an invading Persian army – a crucial milestone in the history of western civilization.

In reference to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, Karamanlis said noted that “we must prove to the world that we are not just custodians of a glorious past, but that we can, in the present day, be pioneers in civilization.”

KKE, Synaspismos, DIKKI: Speaking from the western port city of Patra, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) general secretary Aleka Papariga called on supporters to resist the dilemma of “Papandreou or Karamanlis”.

“Today, there is only one danger: For the two-party system to remain strong. This is what you and your children are threatened by; you are threatened by the hesitation to take a determined step forward, abandoning both PASOK and ND,” she said in her address.

On his part, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos spoke at a news conference in the northwest city of Ioannina, where he charged that the country will face conservative policies of the past regardless of whether a PASOK or a ND government assumes power. The solution, according to him, is to reduce two-party control on government by voting for the Coalition of the Radical Left, the grouping that Synaspismos heads.

Finally, Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas referred to Greek-Turkish relations while on a campaign swing through the northeastern prefecture of Xanthi.

The one-time PASOK minister whose party is currently represented in the Euro-parliament said DIKKI wants good relations with the neighboring country and people, while emphasizing, though, that Ankara must respect International Law and inter-national treaties.

[02] PM tours Evrytania prefecture

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at an election rally of the ruling PASOK party in the prefecture seat of Karpenissi, Simitis said the dilemma of the March 8 election is the choice between moving the country forward or remaining inert.

Simitis announced in early January that he will step down after the election. He was succeeded by former foreign minister George Papandreou at the ruling party’s helm.

[03] Papandreou outlines local gov't policy

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou presented PASOK’s strategy to local government leaders at a rally in Piraeus, reminding that his party implemented the “Kapodistrias” plan for merging services at the municipal and prefectural level between 1982 and 1996.

Meanwhile, in an interview published in the Sunday edition of “To Vima” newspaper, Papandreou referred to “four major changes” he will effect as prime minister by this June, namely, in-creases in wages and pensions, a guaranteed and stable farm income, as well as new legislation for the education sector.

In a related development, former French culture minister Jack Lang on Sunday voiced his support for Papandreou on Sunday, a week before general elections in Greece.

“Europe needs a man like George Papandreou, we need his experience, intelligence and his passion for right as well as love of peace,” Lang said during the PASOK rally in Piraeus.

Papandreou: ND's charges of mismanagement are 'lies' : PASOK leader and former foreign minister George Papandreou on Sunday continued his latest attack against the rival New Democracy party, this time from the eastern Aegean island of Samos, where he said the latter’s claims of resources channeled towards vested interests were “lies”.

“ND’s leadership talks about huge resources going, supposedly, towards vested interests and corruption. It’s a shame to utter such lies in 2004 ... massive resources have become the property of the Greek people. They were funneled towards projects around the country.”

He also offered a commitment of lowering unemployment to 6 percent and establishing all-day high schools for 200,000 pupils. As far as islands are concerned, he promised to promote the idea of a strong municipality for each isle.

Finally, he called for improved cooperation with neighboring Turkey in the tourism sector.

[04] Karamanlis sharply attacks ruling PASOK in Thessaloniki address

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

Speaking a week before the national election, Karamanlis sharply lashed out at the ruling party in a question-and-answer type of address.

“Those in power, for a quarter of a century now, have only recently begun to talk about reversals. They’re asking to cling to power in order to change and reverse, as they say, what they’ve done. Is it a reversal to try and cover-up substance, to cover-up daily problems? Is the attempt to cover-up newly created poverty, unemployment, inflation, farmers’ plight, the closing of businesses, the problems of pensioners and the impasse of youth a reversal?

“Is it a reversal to have dealings in the background ... to declare that they’ve transformed, just to remain in power? No, surely no.

“And do you know why? Because the ‘PASOK system’ has become a regime. A cooperative of interests far removed from society. Are four ‘reform’ programs for Olympic (airways) costing 1.1 trillion drachmas (340.75 drachmas equal one euro) and leading to bankruptcy progress? Is it progress for OTE (the telephone utility) to squander 2.5 billion euros in the Balkans for the sake of vested interests? Is it progress that competitiveness has fallen from 19th in 1999 to 26th (place) this year,” Karamanlis asked his supporters rhetorically.

Karamanlis: Change in policy achieved only with change in gov't: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis lashed out at rival PASOK over the weekend, warning, in a published interview, that “a change in policy is achieved only with a change in government”.

In statements carried by the Sunday edition of the daily “Kathimerini”, Karamanlis stressed that citizens “cannot again trust a system that has systematically failed. PASOK’s policies have been tried and failed. Lack of trust, integrity and responsibility are punished.”

In outlining his strategy if elected to the premier’s post, Karamanlis said a ND government will be comprised of people of his generation.

“I am convinced that now is the time for them to take the country’s fate into their hands; people that have not experienced difficult times, eras of division and of violent (political) confrontations,” he said.

Finally, the paper notes that the ND leader continues to strongly favor a one-on-one televised debate with PASOK leader George Papandreou, adding that Karamanlis believes there is enough time until next Friday for “a live and substantive and across-the-board dialogue.”

[05] DIKKI's Tsovolas outlines party's economic policy to ANA

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

In outlining his currently out-of-Parliament party’s economic policy, Tsovolas said DIKKI accepts the need for stability in the economy, but with a parallel development that generates employment and social protection.

Moreover, Tsovolas, a former national economy minister in a PASOK government during mid 1980s, cited the need for an economic based a decentralization of resources and powers towards regional development, “in order for there to be a gradual decongestion of the greater Athens area towards the provinces.”

He also cited a need to reduce inflation, the deficit and public debt, but through an improvement in production and productivity, the “result of an aggressive development policy”, as he noted.

[06] Ministry flatly denies quote attributed to DM in 'Financial Times' story

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

The statement, denied by the minister, was included in a story published on Friday (Feb. 27) by the “Financial Times”, and later picked up by several Athens dailies.

“The reference to patrols by the Italian and Turkish navies in the Ionian and Aegean has absolutely no basis in reality. Such a reference was never made in the minister’s interview, as the taped transcripts (of the interview) show. It is obvious that this is a personal view of the journalist, something she herself accepted in communication with the National Defense Ministry’s press directorate, while she offered a commitment to fully restore the truth,” the ministry press release read.

The ministry reiterated that Papantoniou has repeatedly stressed that Greece will not allow foreign patrols will be allowed on Greek territory, including the seas and air.

[07] Church of Greece, Patriarchate reportedly move towards compromise

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

At issue is how a new Metropolitan of Thessaloniki will be elected and what procedure will be followed.

Two Metropolitans close to influential Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, Anthimos of Alexandroupoli and Panteleimon of Veria, have reportedly delivered a list of candidates for the vacant Thessaloniki throne to the Patriarchate, in order for the latter to “exercise its rights”. The specific language seeks to bridge differences over whether the Istanbul-based Patriarchate has the right to “approve” of candidates – something it demanded initially – as opposed to the Church of Greece’s position that such a list serves only to “brief” the Patriarchate.

Both ecclesiastical leaders returned from the Patriarchate late Friday, reportedly satisfied with talks there.

The latest developments on the thorny issue are expected at a session of the Church of Greece’s Holy Synod on Monday.

[08] Rogge: Success of 2004 Games a challenge for Greece

Athens, 01/03/2004 (ANA)

Referring to “nice things”, an allusion to an impressive glass-and-metal roof over the main Olympic Stadium, Rogge said he would be happy without the roof if everything else was operating perfectly. “We have always said the roof was not needed."

Conversely, the said a new roof over the Olympic natatorium – a relevant contract is set to be signed on Monday -- is welcome news.

Moreover, he said IOC experts have assured the Lausanne-based organization’s leadership that Athens will deliver secure Games, while he cited an “unprecedented” effort so far and the participation of eight “advisory countries” in security planning.

Rogge, an orthopedic surgeon by training and a past rowing champion, told reporters that he was indeed concerned over de-lays when he served as the head of the coordination com-mission overseeing preparations for the 2004 Games, something he said led to a “yellow card” being issued by then IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

However, he noted that the Greek government reacted quickly at the time (spring 2000), and that preparations dramatically accelerated with Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki at the helm of ATHOC.

Finally, the IOC leader said the goal of successfully organizing the 2004 Games is still very real; something he added is a challenge for a small country, such as Greece.

[09] Australia's Coates praises Athens Olympic Village

MELBOURNE 01/03/2004 (ANA – S. Hatzimanolis)

Coates, a member of the International Olympic Committee who also served as senior vice-president of the Sydney Organizing Committee (SOCOG), called Athens’ Olympic Village, north-west of the city’s downtown, the best such facility that he has ever seen.

In a report by a correspondent of Channel 9, the only concerns revolved around the new roof over the main Olympic stadium (OAKA) and the adjacent natatorium, as well as traffic.

[10] Weston: possibilities for Cyprus settlement are enhanced geometrically

LARNACA 01/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca Airport he said the purpose of his visit ''is to do what we can to support the efforts of the Secretary General both with the UN directly and with all the parties involved to the negotiations to get a settlement of the Cyprus issue''.

Noting the ''possibilities of getting a settlement are enhanced geometrically'' and there will be a finalized settlement which will be put to the people of Cyprus, the American diplomat said the question ''becomes whether the people of Cyprus will assume their historic responsibilities in voting 'yes' for the settlement, thereby achieving a settlement before Cyprus enters the EU''.

''My own view, knowing the people of Cyprus, both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot is that they would assume a historic responsibility and will react in a positive way'', said Weston.

Answering a question for the economic cost of the solution he said ''if the question is whether the US and the international community are ready to assume responsibility in terms of assuring the necessary financial resources are available to implement a Cyprus settlement, the answer is yes''.

Answering a remark on the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq he noted that what we are talking about in Cyprus is a settlement and a cost of implementing a settlement which are ''fairly clear-cut'' in a sense that there will be cost involved for resettlement of those who will have to move as well as potentially some cost for compensation.

When you are talking about Afghanistan and Iraq you are talking about the reconstruction after war and that is not the situation that we are involved here, said Weston recalling that the EU has not only pledged, but also in its' budgetary project ''committed a great deal of resources to do exactly that''.

Asked on the US contribution he said ''first the international community has to make its own assessment of the actual cost of implementing a settlement and to determine from where these resources can be attained''.

''I think that you will find that the US will approach it very generously as it has in terms of providing resources to Cyprus for many-many years, almost four decades now. I can't put a figure on it, the necessary work simply hasn't been done yet to deter-mine that figure'', Weston said.

Weston will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos and have separate meetings with House President Demetris Christofias and Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

He will also see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Mehmet Ali Talat and Serdar Denktash both of whom accompany Denktash in the UN-led talks.

The American diplomat will meet UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the talks.

Weston plans to give a press conference on Monday evening. He leaves Tuesday morning.

[11] Papadopoulos briefs National Council parties over Cyprus negotiations

NICOSIA 01/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after an almost five hour meeting of the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus question, the spokesman added Council members (parliamentary parties) expressed their views.

The full text of the statement made by the spokesman after the National Council meeting is as follows:

''During today's (Saturday) meeting of the National Council, the President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos briefed in detail and extensively Council members about the negotiation process. The members of the National Council have asked questions, clarifications were given by the President and there was an ex-change of views'', the spokesman said.

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