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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Communist party holds main election rally, appeals to Leftist citizens

[02] PASOK leader addresses rally in Igoumenitsa, says people do not forget the Right

[03] PASOK leader interviewed by Antenna TV channel

[04] Papandreou makes ballot pledge to overhaul ''Byzantine'' investment rules

[05] PM Simitis addresses event on Ionian island of Zakynthos

[06] ND leader addresses rally in Larissa

[07] Tension mounting between PASOK, ND ahead of Sunday's elections

[08] Karatzaferis - Main pre-election rally in Thessaloniki

[09] Nat'l Bank of Greece governor Karatzas passes away after battle with cancer

[10] ND leader on tenure of contract employees in public sector

[11] New customs post on Bulgarian side of Promahonas crossing

[12] Greek minister reports on farm programs' progress

[13] Greece ranks top in optimism over sales in enlarged Europe

[14] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in election jitters

[15] Athens 2004 - 4th World Press Operations Briefing successful

[16] Alternatives found to ROC ships for Olympic accommodation

[17] Europarliament's Cox to visit Patriarchate on Wednesday

[18] Greek consul in Istanbul satisfied with military de-characterisation of city

[19] Status of territories to be returned discussed at talks

[20] UN envoy continues contacts in Cyprus

[21] Straw says if no solution, a divided Cyprus will enter the

[22] Cyprus talks 'very important', says US State Department

[01] Communist party holds main election rally, appeals to Leftist citizens

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Papariga stressed that KKE's steadfast position as an ''intransigent and uncompromising opponent of Right-wing bipartisan politics.''

On the basis of this position, she explained the reasons why citizens must vote against the two mainstream parties and the reasons why they should back KKE with their vote.

''It is not parties and candidates alone who are judged in the elections. The voter is also ultimately judged. He also submits a candidacy before the ballot box. If he will constitute an obstacle for anti-popular policy or he will be used as a rug to enable it to pass,'' she said.

Papariga said on the night of the elections it ''will not be only the staff of PASOK and ND who will be holding their breath out of anxiety''.

''The staff of plutocracy, the embassies of EU member-states, the American embassy will also be counting. If the percentages of bipartisan politics are lower, they will realize that resistance and emancipation is growing towards them. Otherwise, we will allow them to enjoy their sleep,'' she said.

Papariga further said there should be ''no tolerance for those who cultivate consent and being used to living with war, poverty, drugs, political favors and payoffs.''

Referring to foreign policy issues, Papariga accused the PASOK government of making concessions in the Aegean, while expressing disagreement with the continental shelf issue being referred to The Hague court, stressing that courts must not decide on borders.

Papariga also reiterated her opposition to the Annan plan for Cyprus, underlining that it dynamites the request for one state, one sovereignty and one federal and bicommunal identity.

She called on Leftists, with whom ''we are united with the same visions'', as well as on those who quit the KKE during the rift in the early '90s to support the party and to form an alliance together which shall seek people's power.

''It is an alliance which is built from both below and above. Its soul are the social forces which have an interest in combatting plutocracy and the options of the European Union and of NATO in Greece, in the region and on the continent. The political forces which have not been defined by words but by programs and in practice by PASOK and ND,'' Papariga said.

[02] PASOK leader addresses rally in Igoumenitsa, says people do not forget the Right

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou spoke of ''a pogrom of dismissals'' (in the public sector) on the part of the main opposition New Democracy party if it comes to power and of intending to abolish the staff-hiring council ASEP.

The PASOK leader said the people on Sunday ''will quash the plans of the Right to re-establish a party state and stressed that Greek society does not need re-establishing and that the social state was founded by (his father and PASOK founder) Andreas Papandreou in 1981''.

He further said the people ''will not allow ND to divide them and to engineer the restoration of a party state''.

''We are being accused of raising the tones of confrontation, but it is they themselves who confirm on a daily basis that they want to bring back their party state, they are announcing a pogrom of dismissals and the abolition of ASEP to appoint their own youth,'' he said.

Papandreou raised the question of whether the country ''will go tens of years back and the people will be divided and called on every citizen to take a responsible position towards this effort by ND''.

He further criticized ND for the policy it applied in the Balkans as a government, adding that it was a policy ''which contributed to the creation of crises and tensions in the region and not peace and stressing that peace is of paramount importance for the wider Balkan region.

Papandreou said major issues and major challenges are at stake in the March 7 elections and added that what has to be handled the day after the elections is the abolition of the ''Green Line'' in Nicosia (Cyprus), the final solution to the problem of the continental shelf and of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, the continuation of the economy's growth with high rates, the securing of employment for 200,000 young people, financial backing for pensioners of the Social Security Foundation IKA, for farmers and for pensioners of other funds and the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy which is beneficial for Greek farmers.

Papandreou said 2004 is a crucial year which will seal the country's future and noted that PASOK is constantly surpassing itself and paving ways for all.

Papandreou addresses rally in Ioannina: Ruling PASOK party leader George Papandreou on Wednesday evening addressed an election rally in Ioannina, northwestern Greece, where he launched an all-out attack against the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, stating that ''the Right will not come to power.''

Addressing the rally at the city's central square, ahead of this Sunday's general elections, Papandreou accused the ND of having in its ranks ''conservatives and extreme right-wingers''. ''Conservatism and the extreme right cohabitate'' in the ND's ranks and ''are thirsty for the holding of power,'' he said, adding that ''they haven't even reached the door of power and yet they announce pogroms.''

Papandreou said ''the ND never understood the people's struggle to build a beautiful Greece because it has a vision for its own children,'' adding that the main opposition party, ''instead of uniting, wants to divide the people.''

The PASOK leader underlined that ''2004 is the most crucial year of the coming four and will seal the country's future.''

[03] PASOK leader interviewed by Antenna TV channel

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

''The previous government had priorities. It had Economic and Monetary Union, it had foreign policy and it had the major infrastructures. I believe that the current era allows us with what we have done, with this wealth and with these infrastructures we have created, to direct the fruits of this growth to man in particular. I believe that I will be the prime minister who feels, provides and cares for the citizen and who invests precisely in this humanity,'' Papandreou said.

The PASOK leader said that with detente, confidence and stability have been secured in the wider region which allows for investments, growth and investment in the social state.

Papandreou said that PASOK's program has included an increase in expenditures for a social state by two percentage points of GDP, while the successful struggle against contribution and tax evasion will continue.

''I have good relations from China to America. From the Middle East to Russia. This does not mean that one does not disagree,'' Papandreou said, adding that ''I have disagreed with Powell and with Albright on many issues such as over Kosovo with Albright, such as over the Penal Court with Powell and, of course, we also had disagreements over the issue of Iraq.''

[04] Papandreou makes ballot pledge to overhaul ''Byzantine'' investment rules

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

''It is a deterrent to investors from abroad,'' Papandreou said.

In an interview to Reuters news agency, he vowed to accomplish the overhaul on taking office so that the new system was in place before the Athens 2004 Olympics in August.

[05] PM Simitis addresses event on Ionian island of Zakynthos

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Simitis, on a tour of the Ionian islands since Tuesday, said:''We achieved growth which is developing gradually. Nothing is done all at once. With development the country is proceeding step-by-step and we succeeded in the marked improvement of the standard of living of the Greek people. Through development, we achieved an increase in salaries, pensions and incomes, a reduction in unemployment and a redistribution of wealth.''

Addressing an event in Zakynthos' municipality of Arkadia, Simitis criticized the main opposition party's claim that a successful economic policy was implemented when the ND was in power during the 1990-93 period under the premiership of Constantine Mitsotakis.

''Then, however, it was a period of recession, inflation and unemployment. Nonetheless, in the early 21st Century with the advance of globalization, the society of knowledge and the new technologies, it is completely irrational for a policy which was implemented 15 years ago to be projected as a model,'' Simitis said.

The prime minister called on his audience to vote for PASOK in the March 7 general elections ''which guarantees the future.''

[06] ND leader addresses rally in Larissa

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

''We do not make abusive attacks against anybody and we condemn them unequivocally. Throughout the entire election period, we have dared to speak politically, to propose specific solutions to the citizens' problems and to submit our government program in time for the citizens to judge,'' Karamanlis said.

The ND leader said the party chose not to polarize, not to divide, not to revile and not to slander, but to serve steadfastly and consistently the new political culture sought by the country.

Karamanlis recalled the letter he addressed to party leaders on January 12 on the framework of the election struggle.

''Unfortunately, PASOK decided differently and in its anxiety to cling on to power it did not hesitate to use every legitimate and illegitimate means. In its panic, it is using practices and tactics which belong to other eras. The only thing they are achieving is to reveal their real image to all the Greeks. That of a ruthless and arrogant regime,'' Karamanlis said.

[07] Tension mounting between PASOK, ND ahead of Sunday's elections

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

On the other hand, ND's spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos accused the ruling party of a provocation and called on all democratic citizens to denounce such practices and moves, while appealing to Papandreou personally to reply whether he adopts such practices.

Replying to Roussopoulos' statements on the issue of the leaflets with the abusive content, former PASOK Secretary Costas Laliotis spoke of a Rigillis-Gate (Rigillis is the name of the street on which ND's head office is located).

He said that Roussopoulos and ND's leadership are evidently in a panic, adding that he recommends to them ''to find their calm and sobriety so as not to confuse his own crystal-clear public statements with the doings of ND''.

Roussopoulos in turn replied to Laliotis' statements by reiterating that ND has nothing to do with the issue.

PASOK Deputy and former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos also submitted a lawsuit against all persons involved in the issue.

Caretaker Interior Minister Nikos Alivizatos said on his part the mild and civilized climate characterizing the current election period is not in danger by actions such as the circulation of the leaflet, for which a relevant report was also made to the interior minister, thanks to the contribution of its protagonists.

[08] Karatzaferis - Main pre-election rally in Thessaloniki

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Karatzaferis expressed his optimism regarding the outcome of the general elections on March 7, promising his supporters that next Monday he will ''give them back their lost dignity.''

He described his party's pre-election rally as a referendum that calls for ''the elimination of whatever is rotten and belonging to the establishment,'' and added that, ''the junta of publishers, bankers and public works contractors must understand that a peaceful revolution is being declared.''

[09] Nat'l Bank of Greece governor Karatzas passes away after battle with cancer

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Karatzas was born in 1930, and studied at the University of Athens' Law School, followed by post-graduate studies at the Institute of Higher European Studies in Strasbourg.

In 1955, Karatzas began his career as a lawyer, specializing in international transactions, investments and shipping. With his deep knowledge on the banking system, he served as chairman of the committee for the modernization of the banking system, as well as chairman of the committee for the modernization of the Athens Stock Exchange.

In 1963 he became a special consultant at the National Bank of Greece.

From 1982 to 1985 he served as managing director of the Hellenic Bank for Investment and Industrial Development (ETEBA), president of the Hellenic-French Bank and president of the Hellenic Industrial and Metallurgical Investment Corporation (ELEÂME), while in 1985 he was appointed secretary general of the ministry of National Economy.

In June 1987 he assumed a government post for the first time, serving as undersecretary of national economy in the government of Andreas Papandreou (PASOK), but resigned from the post on December 15, 1988 following the political crisis that broke out over the Koskotas-Bank of Crete scandal.

From 1991-95 he served as president of Aspis Bank, and on September 14, 1995 he was appointed, as representative of the State, to the board of directors of the company being set up that undertook the exploitation of the Spata airport.

Karatzas was appointed governor of the National Bank of Greece on February 5, 1996 -- a post he held to his death -- under the government of prime minister Costas Simitis, while in March that same year he was elected president of the Union of Greek Banks.

In August 2000, he was elected president of the board of the United Bulgarian Bank (UBB), in which the National Bank of Greece is the main shareholder.

In September 2001 he was awarded the medal of the Legion of Honor of the Republic of France.

On April 24, 2002, by decision of the General Assembly of shareholders of the National Bank of Greece, Karatzas was elected governor of the National Bank of Greece (carrying on in the post to which he had been initially appointed in 1996). It was the first time that a governor of the National Bank of Greece and the bank's board of directors were not appointed by the government but voted into office by the shareholders.

[10] ND leader on tenure of contract employees in public sector

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

During an interview on private ALTER television station, when asked what ND would do about the 250,000 -- whether it intended to dismiss them or tenure them -- if it emerged as the new government from Sunday's general elections, Karamanlis replied: ''First of all, what we must do is absolutely adhere to the EU directives, which with respect to this specific matter are quite clear. Those who cover real and permanent needs must be tenured. This is the reality. It cannot be otherwise.''

Asked to clarify which contract employees covered permanent needs, Karamanlis said he was not prepared to give precise numbers, ''but I imagine the majority''.

''From there on, if there are others, we will find solutions, such as increasing credential points, so that they may be in an auspicious position in the next examinations (for public sector hiring),'' he said.

[11] New customs post on Bulgarian side of Promahonas crossing

SOFIA 04/03/2004 (ANA – B. Borisov)

According to Bulgarian officials, the new customs post will better facilitate commercial and tourist traffic, especially in light of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The World Bank contributed to the financing of the 1.3-million-euro facility.

[12] Greek minister reports on farm programs' progress

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

Mr. Drys said the total budget of the programs currently under implementation was 6.457 billion euros, while disbursements total 1.64 billion euros. The minister stressed that all programs would continue to be implemented this year and in 2005 with at even more accelerated rates.

He also noted that thousands of small and large, private and public, EU-financed projects are currently being implemented around the country.

[13] Greece ranks top in optimism over sales in enlarged Europe

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

The poll conducted by Grant Thornton showed that 56 per cent of Greek business owners believed that enlargement of the bloc to 25 countries from 15 in May 2004 would open new markets, boosting sales.

Ranking joint first in optimism was France, also at 56 per cent, the survey said.

More than 38 per cent of medium sized enterprises in European countries including Greece believe that enlargement will bring an influx of cheaper labor and access to larger markets, according to Grant Thornton.

[14] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in election jitters

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.40 per cent to end at 2,437.29 points. Turnover was 130.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.34 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper also 0.34 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished 0.40 per cent lower.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 193 to 100 with 60 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of March 3 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,224 1,196

[15] Athens 2004 - 4th World Press Operations Briefing successful

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

It is the first time that an Olympic Organizing Committee has held four such briefings, enabling members of the foreign press to closely follow the progress of preparations and to be informed about the services they can expect from the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee during the Games.

During the four-day briefing, journalists had the opportunity of visiting various Olympic venues, including the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center, the Olympic Aquatic Center, the Galatsi Olympic Hall, the media village in Pallini, the Olympic Village and the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

On the final day of the briefing, journalists visited the Main Press Center (MPC).

Also present was Australian IOC Vice President and President of the Media Committee Kevin Gosper who expressed his satisfaction with the services provided to the media and was impressed with the MPC which he described as being ''the best'' he has seen throughout his career.

[16] Alternatives found to ROC ships for Olympic accommodation

Athens, 04/03/2004 (ANA)

1. The French NOC (which had reserved 105 cabins) and French broadcasting rights holders will be accommodated on the Ocean Explorer I.

2. The USOC (60 cabins) will be accommodated on the Oosterdam cruise ship.

3. NOCs of 18 other countries which had reserved a total of 81 cabins will be accommodated in hotels that have signed the Olympic Hotel Agreement with Athens 2004.

4. Athens 2004 has submitted two proposals for the accommodation of the Italian NOC and the Turin 2006 Organizing Committee for the Winter Olympic Games(reservations were originally made for 66 cabins) and is waiting for their response.

Finalization of the above agreements is expected soon.

[17] Europarliament's Cox to visit Patriarchate on Wednesday

ISTANBUL 04/03/2004 (ANA – A. Kourkoulas)

The latter will officially visit the Phanar-district headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Turkey’s EU relations will also reportedly be discussed, as the Patriarchate is a long-time supporter of the country’s EU accession.

[18] Greek consul in Istanbul satisfied with military de-characterisation of city

ISTANBUL 04/03/2004 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

The Greek consul attended a ceremony organized in the region and stressed that the city will be open to visitors now, adding that the decision to have it decharacterised as a military region banned for foreigners is an important decision taken on Turkey's course towards the European Union.

The region's mayor thanked Mantzila for her visit and said that talks are taking place with the municipality of Alexandroupoli, northern Greece, to have the sea route between Ainos and Alexandroupoli restored.

[19] Status of territories to be returned discussed at talks

NICOSIA 04/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

''We are trying to safeguard that areas to be returned are put under the supervision of the Security Council for the period prescribed in the UN peace proposal under negotiation, until they are actually handed to the Greek Cypriot side,'' President Papadopoulos said.

He explained that a UN representative could act as administrator to ensure that these areas are indeed handed back to Greek Cypriots and to allow infrastructure work to take place.

Papadopoulos said he explained his views on this issue adding the proposals he put forward are not only necessary but also relate to some of the most fundamental aspects of the UN proposed plan for a comprehensive settlement.

Papadopoulos and Denktash resumed talks last month with a view at reaching a solution before May 1 to allow a reunited Cyprus join the European Union on that date.

Responding to questions, President Papadopoulos said Denktash has started outlining his own preliminary views and this will continue on Thursday.

He said so far territorial adjustments have not been taken up during the negotiations.

President Papadopoulos said that Denktash wants to allow Greek Cypriots return to their homes after the lapse of over six years. The UN proposed timetable for the return of Greek Cypriots to the areas that would come under their administration is currently three years.

He explained that the return of territory to Greek Cypriots will take place in six phases.

President Papadopoulos said it was very important to give the state that would emerge from the negotiations all the necessary legislation as well as the international treaties that would enable it to function properly.

He said all this must be approved and part of the plan that would go to a referendum. ''The state cannot exist or operate on paper only,'' he added.

The Greek Cypriot side, he added, has already tabled 95 laws and there are an additional 10 laws that need to be dealt with because of Cyprus' accession to the European Union on May 1 this year.

''Progress is slow at the technical committees (that deal with the treaties, legislation and the economy). There is a lot to discuss as far as legislation is concerned, I cannot say how much has been agreed,'' he added.

President Papadopoulos refrained from commenting on statements by Denktash that there is not enough time to conclude a deal by May 1.

''It serves no purpose at all to comment,'' he said.

He said Thursday's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will start slightly earlier than normally because Denktash will go to Ankara for talks with Premier Tayyip Erdogan. Talks usually begin at 1000 (0800 GMT).

[20] UN envoy continues contacts in Cyprus

NICOSIA 04/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

He said he had a ''very good working meeting'' with President Papadopoulos.

During his meeting with Prendergast, House President Demetris Christofias said he conveyed the message that the Greek Cypriot side is not playing ''tactic games'' and sincerely wants a solution based on changes that will lead to a more functional and viable Cyprus state.

Christofias said he called for Prendergast's help so that the necessary changes to the Annan Plan, and especially if and when the Secretary-General works on it to provide the final agreement, will lead to a more functional and viable state.

Christofias said Prendergast is on the island to investigate the feelings and positions expressed at the negotiating table.

The UN official also met later in the day with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the occupied areas.

Sir Kieran is accompanied by UN SG's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and UN Chief of Mission and Acting Special Representative Zbigniew Wlosowicz.

[21] Straw says if no solution, a divided Cyprus will enter the

EU LONDON 04/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Answering MPs questions at the House of Commons, Straw said that ''what we are saying not only to the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish government but to the Greek Cypriots and the Greek government is that it is in the interests of no one at all for a divided Cyprus to come into the EU.''

Straw said that a ''spirit of compromise from both sides is required,'' adding that Britain is not interfering in the negotiations which are led by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The British Foreign Secretary said that this was the ''best opportunity in two generations'' to resolve the Cyprus problem noting that if this does not happen by May 1, ''it will not go away; it will just become more difficult.''

Straw further said that Britain has ''particular responsibilities as a

guarantor power'' and that along with its EU partners and above all the UN, ''we would participate in the necessary programs to ensure that the referenda were free and fair.''

[22] Cyprus talks 'very important', says US State Department

NICOSIA 04/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Boucher said the Under Secretary of State for political affairs Marc Grossman will raise the question of Cyprus during his visits to Ankara and Brussels later this week.

''These discussions in Cyprus are very important to us, and we are actively working to support the efforts of the UN Secretary General.

The Secretary of State has been personally involved, as the President promised he would,'' Boucher said on Tuesday.

He said the Secretary did feel like the discussion with the Europeans on Monday was an important part of the coordination effort that the US has underway with them.

''We certainly believe that everyone should work hard to see that a united Cyprus can join the European Union on May 1st. We're also very active on the island. Our representatives there have been meeting with both sides and trying to encourage them to cooperate and work with the Secretary General,'' the spokesman added.

The US, he said, continue to follow this closely and to work it in a variety of ways at a variety of levels.

''We will continue to work very hard to support the Secretary General' efforts and try to help the Cypriot parties reach agreement in time to join the EU together,'' he said.

Responding to questions, he said he expects that Grossman would bring up the question of Cyprus during his meetings in Brussels and Ankara.

''He'll be talking about a great number of things in Brussels. The agenda is, I think, first, to coordinate with the Europeans, having heard from people in the region about the Greater Middle East process that he went down to listen to people about, to talk to people about in the region. So he takes that knowledge to Brussels to be able to compare notes a little bit more with the Europeans,'' he explained.

Boucher said there are also other things that Grossman will discuss along the way, like the peace process or like Cyprus, issues on which the US would want to compare notes with the Europeans.

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