Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek, Turkish and UN delegations hold talks on Annan plan

[02] NATO council approves Greek request to assist with Olympics safety

[03] Justice minister to attend EU ministers' council on fighting terrorism

[04] Greek gov't condemns incidents in Mitrovica

[05] Gov't appoints new justice ministry general secretary

[06] KKE leader Papariga to maintain MP seat in Athens B' district

[07] Greek inflation drops, remains highest in EU

[08] Government proposes new governor for National Bank of Greece

[09] Source says Provopoulos to head Emporiki Bank

[10] PM, opposition leader attend opening of labor union congress

[11] FinMin, Labor ministers discuss unemployment issue

[12] Labor union leader insists on 8 pc salary increase, decrease in working week

[13] Transport minister sees problems in construction of Athens tram

[14] Finmin has meetings with UK, US ambassadors

[15] Piraeus Bank awarded STP Excellence Award

[16] Gov’t to focus on regional growth after Olympic Games

[17] Post Office contract to Intracom generates judicial probe

[18] FTSE says ASE downgrade report "totally inaccurate"

[19] Part of land register eligible for EU funding

[20] Stocks rise in high-cap buying

[21] Contractors give July 20 as completion date for OAKA roof

[22] Hellinikon Olympic works to be ready end-May, early June

[23] Deputy Sports Minister visits Olympic Venue in Peristeri

[24] PM, alternate culture minister review Olympic preparations

[25] PM Karamanlis discusses Olympic preparations with Athens mayor

[26] Gov't promises KEDKE to pay funds withheld from local gov't as of 2005

[27] Former culture minister urges PM to intervene over Acropolis Museum

[28] Defense questions authenticity of Stasi documents in ELA trial

[29] Interior minister visits offices of Prefectural Union

[30] Earthquake jolts Chania, no damage, seismologists reassuring

[31] Dead bodies found in seas off the coast of Evia

[32] Major hashish haul intercepted in Kastoria

[33] Cyprus says Denktash's statements need serious consideration

[34] JPC Chairpersons: Solution should guarantee functionality

[35] Irish Ambassador: No new Accession Treaty, no permanent derogations

[36] Cyprus president meets UN Undersecretary General

[01] Greek, Turkish and UN delegations hold talks on Annan plan

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

A text on ''guidelines'' was released at the end of the talks for the press, on which the three delegations agreed, and which said ''following an invitation by the UN secretary general's special adviser Mr. Alvaro de Soto, a meeting was held today between delegations from Greece, Turkey and the UN during which the aspects of security and of the guarantees contained in the secretary general's plan and the future role of the UN in Cyprus were discussed.''

It further said ''the first common realization was achieved on certain issues and all the sides agreed to continue work next week.''

According to diplomatic sources, the talks will be held near Lucerne, Switzerland, where enlarged talks on the issue of Cyprus are expected to be held.

The sources said the talks on the aspect of security and guarantees will be held in parallel and at the same time with the enlarged talks, but without forming a part of them.

Diplomatic sources said the discussion held in Athens on Wednesday concerned the entire text of the secretary general's plan regarding the aspect of security and guarantees, without emphasis being placed on certain special points.

It was added that although convergence was reached on certain individual issues, deviations occurred on others. Consequently, this means intensive work is still necessary to enable their conclusion, if and provided this takes place, the sources said.

[02] NATO council approves Greek request to assist with Olympics safety

BRUSSELS 18/03/2004 (ANA - V. Demiris)

According to diplomatic sources, the request was accepted with hardly any discussion in an ''absolutely positive atmosphere''. Greece's Permanent Representative Yiannis Zeppos thanked the Council for the Alliance's solidarity and support, stressing that it would only have to assist in complementary measures, since a huge effort costing roughly 900 million euros had already been made on a national level.

After receiving NATO's go-ahead on a political level, preparations must now be made to implement a plan drawn up by the defense ministry and the military committee of the Alliance charged with preparing the studies.

The Greek request calls for NATO's assistance in air surveillance by the airborne AWACS radar, surveillance of the seas by NATO ships and putting the biological warfare battalion stationed in the Czech Republic on standby, in case of a request for intervention by Greek authorities.

[03] Justice minister to attend EU ministers' council on fighting terrorism

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The EU ministers are to review measures to combat terrorism, while final decisions will be made at the EU summit on March 25-26.

[04] Greek gov't condemns incidents in Mitrovica

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The statement was made on Wednesday evening by Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos in reference to a clash earlier in the day between Serbs and Albanians in Mitrovica where at least seven people were reported killed. It was the worst violence in Kosovo since NATO and the United Nations took control of the region in 1999.

According to sources, the Greek contingent stationed in Mitrovica is to leave the area due to the incidents.

The Greek officers serving in Mitrovica are well and safe, the Greek Armed Forces General Staff said.

Albanian demonstrators attack Greek soldiers guarding church in Kosovo: Fifteen Greek soldiers guarding a church in Kosovo were attacked by 1,000 Albanian demonstrators on Wednesday evening, according to press reports.

The reports said the Albanians threw a hand grenade against the Greek soldiers, resulting in the destruction of a VBL armored vehicle and minor burns to the face of a lieutenant.

Greek soldiers withdrawn to safety following attack by Albanian demonstrators: Fifteen Greek soldiers guarding a church in Kosovo who were attacked by 1,000 Albanian demonstrations on Wednesday evening were later withdrawn to safety following the intervention by a 100-man strong Greek contingent who went to their aid.

At the sight of the Greek contingent which rushed to the area with ten armored vehicles, the Albanian demonstrators dispersed.

The Albanians had thrown a hand grenade against the 15 Greek soldiers guarding the church, resulting in the destruction of a VBL armored vehicle and minor burns to the face of a lieutenant.

[05] Gov't appoints new justice ministry general secretary

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Panouris was born on February 11, 1938, studied law at Athens University and carried out further studies at London University, specializing in international financial law. He has worked as a lawyer in Athens since 1964 and as a Supreme Court barrister since 1970.

He was elected MP for Ioannina with New Democracy in 1977 and has served as chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the Ministry of Coordination, as a member of the Parliamentary Committee of the Finance Ministry and the Mixed Greece-EEC Parliamentary Committee until Greece joined the EEC in 1981.

In 1975 he was general secretary of the Industry of Trade and from 1976 until 1977 he was president and board chairman of the Investment Bank.

Panouris is also an author of a number of legal treatises, including a book entitled '' The Greece-EEC Association Agreement from the point of view of International Financial Law''.

Panouris speaks English and French, is married and a father of two.

[06] KKE leader Papariga to maintain MP seat in Athens B' district

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Consequently, the MP seat for the KKE in the Piraeus B' district, for which Papariga was also a candidate, will be taken by Yannis Patsilinakos.

Political party leaders may run as candidates for parliament in two electoral districts, and if elected in both districts they choose which of the two seats they wish to maintain, with the seat in the other district going to the party's top runner-up in the district.

[07] Greek inflation drops, remains highest in EU

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Italy and Luxembourg (2.4 percent each) followed Greece, recording increased inflation rates in February, while Sweden (0.2 percent), Finland (0.4 percent) and Denmark (0.7 percent) posted the lowest inflation figures.

Greek inflation was running at 4.2 percent in February 2003, Eurostat said.

The EU's executive said that annual inflation fell to 1.6 percent in February in the Eurozone from 1.9 percent in the previous month and down from a 2.4 percent reading in February 2003. Inflation eased to 1.5 percent in the EU-15 from 1.8 percent over the same period, respectively.

Annual inflation fell in 12 countries and rose in Italy, Luxembourg and Austria, with Sweden, Finland and Denmark recording the biggest year-on-year declines.

Germany recorded the lowest average inflation rates (1.0 percent), followed by Finland (1.1 percent and Austria (1.2 percent), while Ireland (3.5 pct), Greece (3.3 pct) and Portugal 2.9 pct) recorded the highest average rates.

Annual inflation fell to 0.1 percent in Switzerland in February.

[08] Government proposes new governor for National Bank of Greece

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Proposed for the position is Takis Arapoglou, general manager of Citibank in London and head of the former Ionian Bank in 1991-93, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said in a statement.

In a separate move, the government will seek the replacement of Yiannis Stournaras as chairman of state-owned Emporiki Bank following consultations with the Athens-quoted bank's minority shareholder, Credit Agricole of France, Roussopoulos said.

According to sources, the government is likely to propose George Provopoulos for Stournaras' position.

[09] Source says Provopoulos to head Emporiki Bank

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

They said the government will ask the bank's present management to resign and was consulting with French bank Credit Agricole, a minority shareholder, concerning the changes.

[10] PM, opposition leader attend opening of labor union congress

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis said his presence and address at the congress signals the government's interest in working people, pensioners, the unemployed and in all the underprivileged.

He added that the channels of communication and of social dialogue with trade unions will remain open, terming GSEE an associate and calling for a ''contract of honor'' aimed at improving the lives of citizens.

The prime minister said the government's target is to reduce unemployment by three percentage points by the end of its four-year term, adding that the government will honor every chapter in its election announcements.

Papandreou said on his part that the party will soon be ready to contest the country's governance, pointing out that PASOK will stand by the trade unions and by working people and oppose any effort to reverse social achievements.

Papandreou focused on European conservative governments which he accused of identifying themselves with anti-popular measures and noted that progressive forces must prove that a strong economy can be combined with social solidarity.

The PASOK leader also referred to the work achieved by his party's governments. Admitting that mistakes were made he called for the trade unions' cooperation for a new model of growth.

[11] FinMin, Labor ministers discuss unemployment issue

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Labor and Social Protection Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos, Mr Alogoskoufis stressed that the two ministries would act in coordination to tackle the unemployment problem.

Mr Panayiotopoulos stressed that the meeting launched a close cooperation between the two ministers with the aim of tackling unemployment through employment boosting policies.

"Our coordination will be perfect," Labor minister said, adding that the government has inherited a very unpleasant situation. "Apart from hidden debts were have hidden unemployment," he said.

[12] Labor union leader insists on 8 pc salary increase, decrease in working week

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Referring to the recent change in government in the country, Polyzogopoulos said ''we are ready to cooperate and to clash with the new government.''

He further said that the confederation's stance and positions will be determined by an ''autonomous strategy'' which shall serve the needs and the interests of working people.

Polyzogopoulos went on to say the first step in this strategy is the strike called on March 31 which ''came as a reply to the provocative proposal by the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) for increases amounting to 3.2 percent.''

The GSEE president said negotiations on the collective labor agreement must be completed soon ''because we do not want tension and confrontation to exist on the eve of the Olympic Games.''

[13] Transport minister sees problems in construction of Athens tram

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

After an inspection tour of the worksites along the entire length of the line from Zappeion to the depot in Ellinikon, Liapis said there were major problems concerning the tram's electricity supply, road signs and signaling, and delivery of the trains from the Italian manufacturer, while he hinted that the briefings regarding the project's progress had diverged significantly from what he had seen.

While noting that he was not satisfied with the project's progress, Liapis said the government will make every conceivable effort to have the tram ready on time, stressing that this would require strenuous effort, with double and even triple shifts, if necessary.

[14] Finmin has meetings with UK, US ambassadors

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Miller said the meeting had served as an opportunity for a briefing, while Madden said it had covered economic issues likely to arise during the European Union's spring Summit on March 25-26 in Brussels, that EU finance ministers customarily attend.

[15] Piraeus Bank awarded STP Excellence Award

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Piraeus Bank is the first bank to be honored with the award, which it is given to one banking institution in every European country.

Deutsche Bank is one of the biggest banks in the world and accounts for 30 percent of euro payment settlement worldwide.

[16] Gov’t to focus on regional growth after Olympic Games

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the presidency of Northern Greece Industry Union (SEBE), Mr Alogoskoufis said the two parts discussed issues related with the development of regional Greece, such as a new tax system, investments and employment.

SEBE president, Dimitris Symeonidis, speaking to reporters, said he asked Mr Alogoskoufis to give policy priority to regional Greece after the summer Games.

Mr Symeonidis stressed that Northern Greece would become the engine of economic growth since exports from the region accounted for 55 percent of total Greek exports. He said there was interest for investments and production of innovative products.

[17] Post Office contract to Intracom generates judicial probe

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The inquiry and related felony charges come in the wake of several high-profile articles on the issue by the “Kathimerini” newspaper two years ago.

An investigating magistrate is expected to follow up on the indictment.

[18] FTSE says ASE downgrade report "totally inaccurate"

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

An ASE announcement said that: ''The Athens bourse, reacting to the broadcast of a unfounded report by an international news agency that was presented by local electronic media over an alleged downgrade of the Greek stock market, sought to immediately restore reality from FTSE Group. The UK-based company, in an announcement issued shortly after, certified as totally inaccurate the report and reiterated that the Greek stock market was part of a league of developed markets.''

Meanwhile, ASE announced that Cosmote raised the trade weight of its shares in the FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 140 indexes to 40 percent from 20 percent, after the sale of Norway's Telenor's equity stake in the Greek mobile telephony operator.

[19] Part of land register eligible for EU funding

BRUSSELS 18/03/2004 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

Hatzidakis had asked the EU's regional policy commissioner, Michel Barnier, to state whether the project in its entirety, initiated by the country's previous government, could receive funding from the bloc.

The project failed to materialize and Greece was required to return to the EU much of the cash it had received under the Second Community Support Framework.

Hatzidakis quoted Barnier as saying that of the work's three sections, only one, a digital data base, was eligible for EU monies.

Under a new proposal submitted to the EU by the former Greek government on February 10, 2003, the project would be complete by 2013 at a total cost of 500 million euros, Barnier said.

At the same time, a final decision on funding had yet to be taken, the commissioner added.

[20] Stocks rise in high-cap buying

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.62 per cent to end at 2,396.92 points. Turnover was 126.5 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.90 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.18 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities rose 0.13 per cent.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 152 to 138 with 67 issues remaining unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of March 17 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,234 1,206

[21] Contractors give July 20 as completion date for OAKA roof

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

However, the Culture Ministry's technical department and advisors estimate that the roof cannot be delivered before July 27. Athens 2004 executives on the other hand, claim that any deadline past June 30 creates problems considering the Organizing Committee's commitments to its associates, such as the IOC, AOB, as well as in terms of rehearsals for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Alternate Culture Minister inspected the entire OAKA site on Wednesday, warning that construction on the landmark metal-and-glass roof over the stadium – the brainchild of noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava – cannot sustain even the slightest setback.

“We’re in a critical phase, any delay will be decisive. Extra doses of determination and effort are needed from all (sides involved),” she told reporters.

The urgency vis-a-vis the roof doesn’t only involve the actual stadium itself, but also the surrounding facilities and venues, as work on outlays (security, broadcasting infrastructure, landscaping etc) is scheduled to begin more-or-less after the roof is completed.

The massive roof will begin “sliding” into place on April 18, with the intricate process expected to continue for another 15 days.

As far as two other “thorns” at the OAKA complex are concerned, namely, the roof over the velodrome and the natatorium, Palli-Petralia said a contract has not been signed for the latter. However, she added that an “express tender process” would be followed so that the project is assigned to a specific Swiss firm, whereas synthetic materials will be used instead of the previously envisioned glass roof.

As far as the velodrome roof is concerned, a completion date in late May was given, along with related assurances for surrounding landscaping.

Finally, Palli-Petralia addressing all those involved in OAKA's construction stressed that, ''no one has the right to damage the country's image.''

[22] Hellinikon Olympic works to be ready end-May, early June

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Olympic facilities in the area, Souflias said that contractors reassured him that all seven projects would be ready by end May or early June.

The Greek minister noted, however, problems in the area surrounding the facilities and pledged to take urgent action to deal with the issue.

Commenting on recent comments by his predecessor in the previous PASOK government, Vasso Papandreou, and other PASOK officials on progress in Olympic projects, Souflias said: ''I am not going to think about the past, I am only interested in the future. We have many problems and we have to deal with them.''

Souflias pleased with Hellinikon Olympic site; promises better landscaping New Public Works Minister George Souflias toured the construction projects at the Hellinikon coastal site on Wednesday, a day after he inspected Marathonas Boulevard and the much-delayed works on along the classical Marathon route in eastern Attica prefecture.

The Hellinikon site, built on a portion of the former Athens airport, will host the venues for baseball, softball, field hockey, the basketball preliminaries, handball finals, fencing and the canoe/kayak slalom.

In statements to the press, Souflias, a civil engineer by training, promised additional outlays for landscaping work at the sites, as well as better coordination by the entities that surround or own tracts of Hellinikon, such as neighboring municipalities, the Hellenic Air Force, the company building Athens’ new tram network etc.

Souflias said contractors promised completion dates by the end of May or early June for facilities still under construction. He also said a distinct problem lies with the lack of landscaping and green spaces in and around the site.

Asked about a reaction from his predecessor at the ministry, main opposition PASOK deputy Vasso Papandreou, following the former’s high-profile comments about problems plaguing the seminal Marathon route.

“I call things the way I see them. Wherever there are works that are advanced I say they are advanced, as is the case here, at Hellinikon; wherever there are delays, like on the Marathon route, I say there are delays ... I am not going to concern myself with the past, I’m interested in the future,” Souflias said in reply to the reaction by Papandreou.

“There are delays with the Marathon route. That’s the truth. I will not conceal the truth. That is what Ms. Papandreou did with her impertinent statements,” he added.

[23] Deputy Sports Minister visits Olympic Venue in Peristeri

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

''We are visiting all the sports facilities and we are looking at the details. But we have to speed things up. In terms of this site, time constraints are under control. We will do everything we can so that the site is finished on time and the test events can be held May 25-30,'' Orfanos said.

The new indoor hall, which will have a seating capacity of 8,000 during Games-time, will be handed over to the Municipality of Peristeri (West Attica), the fourth-largest municipality in the country.

The Sports General Secretariat, charged with this project, is working 6-day weeks in order to meet the April deadline.

[24] PM, alternate culture minister review Olympic preparations

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

After the meeting, Petralia declined comment on press questions on delays in the Olympic projects and on whether there was displeasure over inadequate briefing on the situation of Olympic preparations before the recent elections.

"Much work, not words, is what is needed," she sufficed to say.

Petralia was due to inspect the worksite at the Olympic Stadium later in the day.

[25] PM Karamanlis discusses Olympic preparations with Athens mayor

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

Bakoyianni said the construction of a garbage reloading station is a top-priority project, adding that necessary specifications have to exist so that the city of Athens is kept clean.

On the question of whether projects will be completed in time, the Athens mayor said time limits are tight making swift and effective moves, as well as excellent coordination necessary, so that the Greeks who have invested a great deal in the Olympic Games, will not be disappointed.

Referring to projects concerning the municipality of Athens, Bakoyianni said all of them will be completed according to the set deadlines.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister announced that Bakoyianni will have a more active role in Olympic Games preparations.

[26] Gov't promises KEDKE to pay funds withheld from local gov't as of 2005

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

He said the amounts came to more than one trillion drachmas between 1997 and the present day.

Pavlopoulos also made a commitment to begin implementing law 1828 that governs local authority finances.

Analyzing relations between local authorities and central government since 1997, the minister said these had taken a ''course of collapse with respect to the state's obligations to first-level authority'' that had reached a peak in 2000, at which time the state debt toward local government had reached a level of ''clear-cut misappropriation''.

He asked for KEDKE's proposals for solving the problems of local government within the first half of April, so that they could be discussed and included in a bill being prepared by the ministry.

KEDKE president Paris Koukoulopoulos asked for immediate dialogue within a fixed timeframe on a framework of national agreement and a commitment to necessary structural changes.

He also noted the danger that 30,000 people employed as staff in Citizens' Service Centers, school guards, school crossing guards and municipal police might find themselves without jobs when European Union funding for their jobs ended on June 30, calling for an immediate plan to deal with the problem.

[27] Former culture minister urges PM to intervene over Acropolis Museum

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

[28] Defense questions authenticity of Stasi documents in ELA trial

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The defense lawyers said that European court rulings had disputed the authenticity of documents obtained from the files of the former German secret police Stasi and the reports these contained.

They noted that the files had been in the possession of United States authorities for four years and that their contents had been altered and falsified.

The Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court has postponed any decision on the objections raised until after witness Vassilis Zisis has supplied the court with a copy of the application he made to German authorities to receive material contained in the Stasi files and the official reply from German authorities.

[29] Interior minister visits offices of Prefectural Union

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

She focused primarily on the lack of adequate funds, staff and service modernization and called for the continuation of the dialogue which had begun with the ministry's previous leadership.

Gennimata requested, among other things, an increase in Central Autonomous funds, the settlement of debts owed by prefectures, an increase in prefectural level projects in all programs of the 3rd Community Support Framework, the hiring of staff in Prefectural Self-Administration and the enactment of an elected Regional Council.

Pavlopoulos clarified that the government's position is that the institution of Prefectural local government will not be harmed, adding that the institution will be backed financially to enable it to function effectively and institutionally.

Pavlopoulos also called on ENAE to submit, by early April, proposals on institutional issues and the beginning of dialogue immediately after the government's policy statements are made.

[30] Earthquake jolts Chania, no damage, seismologists reassuring

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The earthquake was recorded at 7:21 a.m., at a distance of 330 kilometers south of Athens, with its epicenter in the sea region south of Chania, in the Libyan Gulf, according to the Athens National Observatory's Geodynamic Institute and the Thessaloniki Aristotelion University's Geophysics Laboratory.

Local police, municipal and prefectural officials told ANA that although the quake was strongly felt, no damage had been reported.

Seismology professor Vassilis Papazahos was reassuring, and told ANA that although it was a strong trembler, there would be no repercussions since its epicenter was in the sea.

He reassured that even if the quake had been somewhat stronger, it still would have not caused damage because its epicenter was in the sea.

Papazahos explained that the earthquake emanated from the fault in the corner of southwest Greece, which frequently gives off tremblers, adding that larger quakes had been produced by that area.

Asked whether the morning earthquake could prospectively activate other nearby seismic faults, Papazahos said that there were no indications to that effect.

He further said that aftershocks were anticipated from the same epicenter, but that the development of the phenomenon would be normal.

[31] Dead bodies found in seas off the coast of Evia

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The three bodies, belonging to a woman and two men, were located and retrieved from the sea on Tuesday and have now been transferred to Karystos hospital for an autopsy.

Coast guard officers believe that the bodies belong to the illegal immigrants that went missing, along with another six of their number, when the sailing boat "Irene" sank in rough seas on January 28 this year while making the trip from neighboring Turkey.

[32] Major hashish haul intercepted in Kastoria

Athens, 18/03/2004 (ANA)

The two individuals were caught driving two mules laden with 114 kilos and 840 gr of hashish at daybreak, by officers acting on a tip-off.

One of the two suspects was arrested while the other managed to escape.

[33] Cyprus says Denktash's statements need serious consideration

NICOSIA 18/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

''This is a development that calls for serious and in depth consideration,'' the spokesman said, adding that President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, the political leaders, the National Council would ''examine the substance and the questions arising from Rauf Denktash's statement.''

On Wednesday afternoon, Denktash had said there was no point in flying to Switzerland next week for talks on the Cyprus problem between the two sides on the island, Greece, Turkey and the UN, and blamed the Greek Cypriot side and the EU for his decision, saying that the former wanted to rule the whole of the island and the latter did not accept derogations from the acquis communautaire.

Asked if Denktash's statement might be a political maneuver, Chrysostomides said ''the government always looks into all possibilities.''

He added that the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, would probably convene over the next few days to evaluate developments.

Denktash had also said he did not see any chance of reaching an agreement on fundamental issues of the Cyprus problem over the next few days and thus ''it would not be right for me to go to Switzerland under these circumstances.''

Talks between the two sides in Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island, began last month in Nicosia under UN auspices. Next week they are set to enter their second phase with the participation of guarantor powers, Greece and Turkey.

''We are wasting our time trying to change things,'' Denktash said and noted that he was trying to protect the Turkish Cypriots from a future tragedy.

On Wednesday night, the Cypriot president noted that a document handed to the sides by the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto was not a proposal but rather an agenda, to which the Greek Cypriot side could add issues it wished to discuss in addition to those included in the paper.

To a comment by the press that the Greek Cypriot side's positions were absent from the document, President Papadopoulos said ''we will add them.''

[34] JPC Chairpersons: Solution should guarantee functionality

NICOSIA 18/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Rothe and Cleanthous were speaking during a press conference that marked the conclusion of the last JPC session.

''We expect that after the solution of the Cyprus problem, the state of Cyprus is effective in the EU institutions, has a clear federal system, without any unacceptable permanent derogations from the EU laws and regulations,'' Rothe said.

She added that the Accession Treaty of Cyprus with the EU could not be renegotiated, and noted that Turkey could not be allowed to start accession negotiations with the EU, unless it withdrew all occupation troops from the island.

Cleanthous noted that some unacceptable demands by the Turkish Cypriot side, such as the clear differentiation of two nationalities or two religions, were things that the EU had left in the distant past of its history. The Cypriot parliamentarian said the EU and the international community had to make it clear to Turkey that such unacceptable demands had no place in today's Europe.

He reiterated that the Cypriot people wished for a viable and functional solution that would assure the future prospects of the next generations.

Rothe said that as soon as she returned to Brussels, she would brief the Presidency of the European Parliament on the deliberations of the JPC and discuss ways to enable the EP to adopt a report, in which to state clearly whether the final and agreed text of the Annan plan was compatible with EU laws and regulations.

The two co-chairpersons thanked the members of the JPC for their work during the years and referred to the late Greek alternate foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis for his contribution towards Cyprus' historic bid to join the EU.

''When we started our meetings, Cyprus' accession was not clear, due to the political situation in the island'' Rothe said, adding that ''maybe the accession course will become the catalyst for the solution of the problem.''

[35] Irish Ambassador: No new Accession Treaty, no permanent derogations

NICOSIA 18/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Answering questions by JPC members, Swift, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU this semester, said that the EU Council does not wish to see any permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire to be included in a solution of the Cyprus issue.

''We are not in favor either of a new accession treaty or a new protocol. If we have a new protocol, it is for us almost inconceivable that we could have everything done by May 1st'', Swift said.

On the question of alignment of a Cyprus solution with the acquis communautaire, he recalled that the Council had said that the EU is prepared to accommodate any settlement agreed by the parties, in accordance with EU principles, which are democracy, human rights and rule of law.

''We want anything to be accommodated by the shortest transit periods. The Union's way of dealing with difficulties is through transit periods but the Presidency and the Commission do not like permanent derogations,'' he stressed.

Swift added though that in a UN proposal (the Annan plan) currently under discussion at the ongoing talks between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, some elements pointed to the direction of permanent derogations.

''Other permanent derogations of very minor nature have been agreed for other states, not too many and not very important. This is not totally unknown to the EU. We have had one or two permanent derogations as exceptions in the past,'' he noted.

Responding to questions, he said that the Council's view was that the Turkish Cypriot side was to blame for the delay in finding a settlement.

''It was the Turkish Cypriot side last year which caused problems with regard to dates. The EU Council in Brussels last year urged all parties concerned, in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the efforts made by the UN,'' Swift said.

''There has been delays more on the one than on the other side,'' the Irish Ambassador said.

[36] Cyprus president meets UN Undersecretary General

NICOSIA 18/03/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Prendergast, who was accompanied by UN Secretary-General's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, refrained from making any statements after the meeting, noting that whatever he has to say he will say it at the airport on Thursday, upon his departure.

Invited to say if the Greek Cypriot side has given its answer to the document handed over to the two sides by De Soto, President

Papadopoulos said ''there is no answer. We will discuss the document.''

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