Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus President holds talks on Cyprus with PM, meets President Stephanopoulos

[02] Spiliotopoulos on NATO contribution to Olympic Games security

[03] FM meets Spanish ambassador, expresses Greece's solidarity for Spanish people

[04] PM to receive former PM Mitsotakis on Monday

[05] PASOK party leader begins tour of Crete

[06] PM Karamanlis to meet composer Theodorakis on Monday

[07] Tourism in Greece projected at ITB exhibition in German capital

[08] PM, IOC president and ATHOC chief examine completion of Olympic Games projects

[09] AHI event dedicated to the return of the Olympic Games to their birthplace

[10] Public order minister to visit Fire Brigade headquarters on Monday for briefing

[11] Frigate picks up 54 illegal immigrants in waterlogged boat off Crete

[12] Police seize 20,000 'ecstasy' pills in northern Greece

[13] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits U.S.

[14] Archbishop Christodoulos says whoever scorns Church ends up on sidelines

[15] Cypriot President in Athens for talks on Cyprus

[01] Cyprus President holds talks on Cyprus with PM, meets President Stephanopoulos

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis reiterated that the Greek government fully supports the efforts of the people of Cyprus for a European, workable and viable solution based on the Annan plan.

He added that the two delegations agreed on the moves which must be made to enable Cyprus to join the EU united and for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to enjoy the fruits of the new European reality together.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the constructive position of the Republic of Cyprus will meet with a response from the other side.

He further said that the talks are continuing despite difficulties faced in the negotiations. He also reiterated that support for President Papadopoulos is a position which will not change or be questioned.

Asked whether ratification of the decision for a referendum by the Turkish National Assembly is necessary beforehand, Karamanlis said this is one of the points which must change.

He also said the level at which the various sides will be represented in the quadripartite meeting has not yet been determined and is still being discussed.

Karamanlis expressed the view that the dimension of the security issue is very serious and that the good intention and the moderate stance displayed by President Papadopoulos is evident to all.

President Papadopoulos thanked the Greek government and characterized the fact that Athens is backing Nicosia in its difficult struggle with its wholehearted support as being very important.

''The target remains a viable and workable solution by May 1,'' President Papadopoulos said, adding that the negotiations are difficult and expressed the hope that even at the 12th hour the position of the Greek Cypriot side will be appreciated and it will meet with the appropriate response.

President Papadopoulos said he has assurances that the position of the Greek Cypriot side is understandable. However, he added that it is very difficult for the UN to attribute responsibilities since it has the role of negotiator.

Asked why the Greek Cypriot side does not reveal its positions in public, in contrast to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, President Papadopoulos said he will fully brief the people of Cyprus when it will be necessary for him to do so.

''Mr. Denktash may have different pursuits. However, Nicosia attributes great seriousness to the process, it considers this stage to be crucial and for this reason it does not negotiate through the press,'' he added.

President Papadopoulos was received by President Kostis Stephanopoulos earlier in the day.

Later on in the afternoon, President Papadopoulos will be holding successive meetings with the leaders of opposition parties. At 5 p.m. he will be meeting main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou and afterwards Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

PASOK leader meets Cyprus president, determined to contribute to Cyprus solution: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou discussed the issue of Cyprus with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Sunday and, speaking after the meeting, expressed his determination to contribute to the effort of finding a solution to the political problem of Cyprus from his new position as well.

Papandreou said he had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Saturday and reiterated his support for the government of Cyprus and for every effort to find a ''viable and workable solution.''

Referring to the stance observed by the Turkish Cypriot side, the main opposition party leader spoke of insistence on the part of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on his known positions and pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is showing its sincere effort with specific positions.

Replying to a question on the possibility of a negative outcome of the New York process, Papandreou said ''the leaderships will be taking their decisions with the interest of both Cyprus and Greece as their criterion.''

Communist party leader and Cyprus president discuss Cyprus issue: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, speaking on Sunday after discussing the issue of Cyprus with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos at a downtown Athens hotel, said there were ''binding limits'' in the process of solving the Cyprus issue.

Papariga also said there was a ''provision in the Annan plan which did not concern a federal, bizonal and bicommunal state but a creation which had no precedent.''

She expressed the hope that when the process is completed KKE's predictions will not come true, adding that a viable and workable solution cannot be offset by the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

Coalition party leader and Cyprus president discuss Cyprus issue: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos, speaking after discussing the issue of Cyprus with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Sunday, said that ''at this crucial point in negotiations on the Cyprus issue no pressure from third parties must alter either the resolutions of the United Nations or the treaty of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.''

Constantopoulos expressed support for a ''just, viable and workable'' solution to enable the Cypriots ''to decide jointly about their future in a bizonal and bicommunal entity.''

He clarified that he is opposed to any solution which will not safeguard the workability of the new state, adding that the workability desired requires changes being made to the Annan plan.

[02] Spiliotopoulos on NATO contribution to Olympic Games security

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Replying to reporters' questions, Spiliotopoulos said that following the tragic incident in Spain and Greece's request for NATO backing, the situation created is as follows: ''As in other cases, NATO has asked for the implementation of Article 5 and 4, which in simple language means that if a member of the Alliance faces a threat, all the other members rush to support it.''

He said that ''all the NATO forces are obliged to participate in three basic missions, the first being the surveillance of airspace by AWACS, secondly the activation of the permanent NATO naval force in the Mediterranean and thirdly the use of certain high technology systems which NATO has but which Greece does not have.''

[03] FM meets Spanish ambassador, expresses Greece's solidarity for Spanish people

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Molyviatis visited the Spanish ambassador at his residence and expressed his deep sympathy for the victims of the heinous terrorist act and informed him of Greece's condemnation and revulsion for what has happened in his country.

Government spokesman says Greeks to observe 3-minute silence for Spanish people: Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos announced on Sunday that the Greeks, together with all the peoples of the European Union, will observe three minutes of silence on Monday to participate in the mourning of the Spanish people for the victims of this week's terrorist attack in Madrid.

Roussopoulos said Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos has already issued a relevant circular to all services in the public and wider public sector.

''We Greeks condemn, in the most unequivocal manner, the hideous terrorist attack in Madrid on March 11 and to pay tribute to the innocent victims of this heinous criminal act we will be participating in the mourning of the Spanish people tomorrow together with all the peoples of the European Union, observing three minutes of silence at 14.00 hours,'' he said.

Minister announces three minutes' silence in public sector for terrorist victims

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, in an announcement on Saturday, called on staff in the public and wider public sector to observe three minutes of silence at 2 p.m. on Monday for the victims of the terrorist attack in Madrid earlier this week.

The announcement said three minutes of silence will be observed for the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Madrid on March 11 and as a symbolic condemnation of terrorism as a hideous criminal act directed against humanity.

It also expresses the wish that employers and employees in the private sector will do likewise, adding that the event was proposed by the European Union's Irish presidency and will take place at the same time in all EU member-states.

[04] PM to receive former PM Mitsotakis on Monday

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis will attend the European Union Irish presidency's summit in Brussels on March 25 for the first time in his capacity as prime minister.

In the morning of the same day he will probably be attending the lighting of the Olympic Torch at Ancient Olympia and, if there is sufficient time, the parade to be held in Athens at noon on the occasion of the country's national holiday as well.

Meanwhile, ministers and deputy ministers will have to inform Karamanlis of the priorities of their portfolios by March 17 to enable them to be included in the new government's policy statements.

In another development, appointments of secretary generals at ministries are beginning by decision of the prime minister. Nikos Vezyryiannis (a former mayor of the Athens suburb of Neo Psychico and the former New Democracy party candidate for the post of Athens Prefect) was appointed secretary general of the interior ministry on Sunday.

[05] PASOK party leader begins tour of Crete

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou visited the municipal market and talked with shopkeepers, while many citizens urged him to make radical changes and told him the arrogance and introversion of certain cadres was to blame for the party's election defeat.

Speaking at the labor center in Hania shortly afterwards, in the presence of PASOK's Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Costas Skandalidis and local party deputies and members, Papandreou analyzed his plan of action.

''My aim is to have PASOK turned into an effective movement which will perform opposition for essence and not for opposition,'' he said, adding that it will become ''a movement which will be ready to rule the country at any moment.''

Papandreou also referred to the party's congress, due to take place in September.

''Our congress will be a congress of renewal and of new momentum which will have a great participation on the part of society,'' he said.

Papandreou further noted that the party's next targets will be two: The Euroelections in June and the congress.

Visit to Rethymno: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, continuing his tour of the island of Crete on Saturday, arrived in the city of Rethymno at noon.

Strolling through the city's old sector, Papandreou had the opportunity of speaking with young people in coffee bars in the area and of listening to their views on political developments.

Addressing party members at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry later on in the afternoon, Papandreou reiterated his commitment to create an effective party which will exercise substantive and constructive opposition.

The PASOK party leader said his aim is to create a party which will be open to all citizens, which will listen to the voice of the grassroots and take note of the people's day-to-day problems.

''Our aim is how we will all forge ahead together and, indeed, how considerable reforms will take place in our party, which is not an internal issue alone, because we really want to bring new ethics to politics and a new function onto the political scene,'' Papandreou said.

The next stop for Papandreou will be the city of Iraklion later in the day, while on Sunday he will be visiting the prefecture of Lasithi in the eastern part of the island.

Meeting with deputies in Iraklion: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou held a marathon meeting with party deputies and members in the city of Iraklion, on the island of Crete, on Saturday evening and spoke of the need for the party to make a new beginning and become a force of values and solutions.

Papandreou said he will go ahead with changes he had promised before the elections to turn the ''new course'' into practice and called for the assistance of all.

He added that until the party's congress takes place, this coming September, the party will be holding a constant dialogue with society to enable all views to be registered.

Papandreou further spoke of more open procedures and said organizations will become laboratories of ideas to enable the people to feel that PASOK is their party.

The PASOK leader thanked the Cretans for their contribution to the party's performance in the elections and called on them to play a leading role in the new course and in the new era.

He also reiterated that PASOK must bring new ethics to the country's political life and pave the way for a new governance.

Papandreou is due to visit the prefecture of Lasithi on Sunday.

Meeting with party members in Agios Nikolaos: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, addressing party members in the city of Agios Nikolaos in the Cretan prefecture of Lasithi at the end of his two-day tour of the island on Sunday, promised to exercise dynamic and qualitative opposition.

Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lasithi, Papandreou stressed the need for a new beginning and for PASOK to become a moral force of values.

He also thanked the people of Crete once again and referred to his father and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou who, as he said, loved Crete very much.

Papandreou called on all to contribute to the new era, saying ''I want to call on you at this new beginning to forge ahead together with us because we shall be having a creative course of reconstruction and we shall need everybody for this course. Nobody can be left out of this course.''

He further said PASOK must be ready for elections, whenever they may take place, adding that ''we shall defend the great achievements the Greek people have had all these years. We shall defend freedoms and democracy''

Speaking to reporters shortly before returning to Athens, Papandreou spoke of constructive cooperation he had during his contacts in Crete and of enthusiasm he found on the island despite the election result.

[06] PM Karamanlis to meet composer Theodorakis on Monday

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis had extended an invitation to Theodorakis for them to meet in his capacity as culture minister.

Theodorakis had sent a letter to Karamanlis congratulating him for his decision to also assume the helm of the culture ministry.

[07] Tourism in Greece projected at ITB exhibition in German capital

BERLIN 15/03/2004 (ANA/P. Stangos)

Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) general director Costas Katsiyiannis and EOT director in Germany Panagiotis Skordas reviewed last year's performances in the tourism sector and outlined the aims for this year.

According to data presented by Katsiyiannis, tourist arrivals from Germany to Greece declined by eight percent in 2003 but which is expected to be overcome this year due to the hosting of the Olympic Games.

The number of German tourists in the past six years ranges between 2.2 and 2.5 million, marking 18 percent of the overall number of visitors which in 2002 reached 14.9 million.

Avramopoulos sends message to Berlin Tourism Exhibition: Greek Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on Sunday sent a message to the Berlin Tourism Exhibition, expressing his regret that he could not be present at the event due to pressing work in Athens following the creation of the new ministry.

The minister noted that the new Greek government proceeded in the establishment of the Tourism Ministry which he said will ''pave a unified policy on a long-term basis, in cooperation with the tourism agencies.''

Avramopoulos stressed that the development of tourism is one of the top priorities of the New Democracy government.

He said he was prepared to exchange views in the near future during a planned meeting of tour operators in Athens. ''Our aim is the best possible cooperation in light of the Olympic Games, but also in the post-olympic period,'' he said.

[08] PM, IOC president and ATHOC chief examine completion of Olympic Games projects

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis promised that preparation rates will be speeded up, while Rogge expressed optimism after the meeting that excellent and safe Games will be achieved with hard work.

Rogge further said that talks will be resumed in two weeks' time, on the occasion of his visit to Greece to attend the lighting of the Olympic Torch, to enable appropriate decisions to be taken on the timely completion of projects.

Rogge also praised the fact that the prime minister has undertaken the issue of the Games' preparation himself and, according to authoritative reports, expressed satisfaction over his constructive meeting with Karamanlis.

He told his associates that in two hours of discussions problems were solved which very often required many meetings.

He also referred to the Games' security, saying that everything humanly possible is being done. On the question of the terrorist attack in Madrid earlier this week, the IOC president said it will be evaluated with regard to the measures which must be taken for the Games.

Rogge expressed his enthusiasm over arrangements made for the Marathon course, since the problem has been overcome and a new construction company has taken charge of the project which will begin with a new intensive pace.

A press release issued by the IOC on the same day said ''during a productive meeting, which took place this morning at 10.30 am in Athens, the IOC, together with Prime Minister Karamanlis, members of his cabinet and representatives of ATHOC, reviewed a number of issues surrounding the Games. Most notably, the parties discussed the government's overall commitment to Games preparations: the construction works of the Olympic venues, transport and infrastructure issues, security and state coordination with Games operations.''

It went on to say that ''commenting at the end of the meeting, IOC President Rogge said 'this was a very positive meeting and the IOC very much welcomes Prime Minister Karamanlis's decision to take the lead in managing the organization of the Games by taking responsibility for the Ministry of Culture. This demonstrates the importance that he and his government put on the preparations for the Games and their ultimately successful outcome'.''

The press release further cited Rogge as saying ''our experts have confirmed to us that while a lot remains to be done, there is still time for the preparations to be successfully completed if all energies are mobilized and focused in the same direction. We look forward therefore to seeing some positive steps over the coming days and weeks. I realize how important the Games are to the Greek people and I'm sure that they will rise to the challenges that lie before them.''

ATHOC President Daskalaki, focusing on the issue of security, said ''security remains our top priority. We are proceeding towards the Games in an extremely troubled international environment. We are taking all necessary measures, we are anticipating possible dangers and we are planning their handling in cooperation with the IOC and our international partners.''

According to reports, the IOC agrees absolutely with the government's decision to formally request the assistance of the NATO alliance for the Games' security.

Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said ''you are all aware how tight time limits are, that there are delays in certain projects and that everything possible will be done to achieve the Games' success.''

Bakoyianni said on her part that all the Greeks must activate themselves to enable the national wager on the Olympic Games to be won.

[09] AHI event dedicated to the return of the Olympic Games to their birthplace

WASHINGTON 15/03/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Among the personalities honored for ''keeping up the Greek heritage'' or for ''contributing to public life'' were CIA Director George Tenet, who is of Greek origin, and U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller.

Tenet recalled that his first work was in 1978 as a researcher at AHI and thanked the founder of the institute, Evgenios Rossides, for the opportunity given him.

Miller, who could not be present at the event due to his obligations relating to the security of the Olympic Games, sent a taped message in which he praised Greece, in which he has served three terms, and called on all to visit the country during the Games.

[10] Public order minister to visit Fire Brigade headquarters on Monday for briefing

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Voulgarakis will also chair a meeting on Tuesday on the issue of ''managing aerial means for the 2004 fire protection period.'' Operational planning for the same year will also be presented during the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is to achieve the best possible organization, coordination and effectiveness in utilizing aerial means during the new fire protection period.

[11] Frigate picks up 54 illegal immigrants in waterlogged boat off Crete

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

The illegal immigrants were picked up by the Greek Navy's frigate "Aigaio", which is expected to sail into the port of Souda in Crete later in the day.

Illegal immigrants rescued by frigate arrive in Crete: Fifty-four Palestinian illegal immigrants rescued from a waterlogged boat they were traveling in, 40 nautical miles west of the island of Crete, during the night arrived safe and sound at the Cretan port of Souda at noon on Saturday.

The illegal immigrants disembarked from the Greek Navy frigate ''Aigaio'', which had picked them up during a coordinated rescue operation.

They told port authorities that they had each paid 2,000 dollars for Turkish immigrant smugglers to transport them from Izmir to some port in Europe.

[12] Police seize 20,000 'ecstasy' pills in northern Greece

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

The operation was carried out in Kisario in the city of Didimotiho, northern Greece, when two policemen posing as buyers succeeded in arresting four men.

The pills had been brought to the port city of Igoumenitsa from Italy and had been concealed in the door of the luggage compartment of one of the two cars used by them.

It is one of the biggest quantities of ''ecstasy'' pills to fall into the hands of police in northern Greece. The sale of these pills to drug addicts would have produced over 400,000 euros for the ring.

[13] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits U.S.

NEW YORK 15/03/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Vartholomeos, in New York since Saturday, received a warm welcome by Archbishop of America Dimitrios and will make a number of visits to communities and foundations of the Greek-American community.

During his week-long stay in the United States, Vartholomeos will also meet New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and give a lecture on Thursday evening on the sidelines of the exhibition ''Byzantium: Faith and Strength''.

[14] Archbishop Christodoulos says whoever scorns Church ends up on sidelines

Athens, 15/03/2004 (ANA)

Archbishop Christodoulos pointed out that this was a historical fact which ''has applied, is being applied and, according to all indications, will be applied until the end of time.''

He added that this has been so no matter whether persecution and scorn against the Church has lasted for four or 14 years, as has been known in Greek history.

Archbishop Christodoulos further stressed that the Greek people keep in their hearts faith in God, love for the Church, tradition and history.

Archbishop Christodoulos says solution soon on Metropolitan regional issue: Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos said during a sermon at Saint Constantine and Helen Cathedral in the city of Kozani, northern Greece, on Sunday that whatever small obstacles exist regarding the problem of appointing Metropolitans in the northern regions of Greece will be overcome soon.

On arrival in Kozani, Archbishop Christodoulos also said a verbal agreement has been reached with the Phanar on the appointment of Metropolitans at the three Metropoli in northern Greece and a written reply from Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is pending, adding that it will probably be signed next week when he returns from the United States.

Archbishop Christodoulos stressed in his sermon the importance of religion and of the homeland for the Greeks and pointed out that they will not replace Christ with material comforts in order to be characterized progressive and modern and nor will they comply with the mandates of modern times.

[15] Cypriot President in Athens for talks on Cyprus

LARNACA 15/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on departure from Larnaca Airport, President Papadopoulos said the UN have realized that talks in their current form to solve the Cyprus problem were leading nowhere and that the two sides were just exchanging documents and explaining their positions.

He added that sometimes he had the impression that, apart from himself, no one else was taking the negotiations seriously.

On the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side at the negotiations, President Papadopoulos said that outside the talks it was trying to show willingness to reach a settlement but on the inside it was obvious that it was seeking a settlement far from the philosophy of the solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"Thus, everything must be evaluated with Greece", the president said, noting that Athens "is our strongest support in view of the difficult days ahead".

Asked about the UN decision to switch from direct to proximity talks, President Papadopoulos said "the UN realize that the talks, as they are being carried out, are leading nowhere, apart from the exchange of documents and the explaining of each side's views, without substantive negotiations".

"Sometimes I get the impression that, apart from myself, no one else is taking this phase of the talks seriously. I consider it to be the most important and serious phase", he added.

On arrival in Athens, President Papadopoulos said he was not very optimistic about the outcome of negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem. "Based on facts today, I am not very optimistic", he said.

Commenting on the Turkish demand to alter Cyprus' EU Accession Treaty and have it ratified again by the EU member states, President Papadopoulos said "this is a demand that cannot be accepted either by us or the 15 member states".

Asked if he would be attending the Brussels European Council later this month, taking into consideration that it will probably coincide with the second phase of negotiations on Cyprus with the participation of Greece and Turkey, President Papadopoulos said he would be there, as would Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The two sides on the island are currently engaged in talks, under UN auspices, with a view to reach an agreement that would be put to referenda, the positive outcome of which would enable a reunited Cyprus to join the EU in May this year.

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