Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis attends EPP directorate meeting, skeptical over Euroelection abstention

[02] Final results of June 13 European elections

[03] FM Molyviatis, parliamentary committee rep Makri meet with EU anti-terrorism coordinator De Vries

[04] Justice minister has meeting with EU 'terror tsar' Gijs de Vries in Athens

[05] Candidacy proposal for Commission president at the discretion of the EU heads of state and government

[06] Former PM Costas Simitis holds telephone conversation with Luxembourg

[07] Turkey called on to complete negotiations with EU and extend customs union agreement to new EU member-states

[08] Foreign ministry spokesman says reference to Turkish Cypriots at Islamic Conference not recognition

[09] Alogoskoufis calls for marginal, zero utility hikes until end of '05

[10] Tourism and Town Planning ministers discuss founding bill of new ministry

[11] Analyst sees growth at 3.8 pct in 2004

[12] PPC bids in Bulgarian privatization tender

[13] Evert blasts 'sinful' ASE management, calls for its removal

[14] Parliament ratifies measures for settlement of debts to state insurance funds

[15] Airbus awards Olympic Airlines on maintenance and safety

[16] Greek-Turkish tourism forum called off

[17] EU to investigate Greek aid schemes

[18] Gov't rejects ferry owners' demand for fare hikes

[19] Stocks rise in slim trade

[20] The Olympic Flame visits Mexico City and LA

[21] Ecumenical Patriarch meets with Austria's political leadership

[22] "Perspectives of Athens by Modern Greek Painters" opened Wednesday

[23] Crete University Library's online program for rare books awarded by EU

[24] Republika Srpska school children donate money for repairs to Hilandari Monastery

[25] Sports Minister comments on tie between Greece and Spain

[26] Greek Cypriot side ready to renegotiate, Cyprus President says

[01] PM Karamanlis attends EPP directorate meeting, skeptical over Euroelection abstention

BRUSSELS 17/6/2004 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

"A problem exists in present-day European reality. A large number of European citizens did not participate in the elections, even from the new member-states. And this means that many European fellow citizens of ours are indifferent or reserved. Fortunately, our country had one of the highest participation percentages. However, this does not face the overall problem," he said after the meeting.

"It was the first meeting of the EPP after the Euroelections in which the great majority of European citizens rewarded our policy. The EPP is once again the first party in the European Parliament with 84 seats more than the second socialist party," he added.

Karamanlis also said "it is necessary, therefore, for us to prove to citizens that we have a vision for the New Europe. That this vision is also theirs (European citizens).

We must move, to go ahead with faster paces and with more determined steps towards European integration. The first European Constitution must certainly be ratified in the coming days. And we must implement policies which are close to the citizen and to his problems."

According to the agenda of the EPP summit, which began later in the evening, the issue of Romano Prodi's succession would be discussed with the purpose of the Christian Democrats agreeing on a new name. Karamanlis has not yet opened his cards as to who he will support.

Despite names being heard, diplomatic sources said that everything is still open and a surprise name cannot be ruled out. The Belgian prime minister is considered the favorite, although he comes from the Liberals, but some reports say the Italian prime minister opposes the candidacy of Guy Verhofstadt.

Even the names of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Junker, who has repeatedly stated that he is not interested following his extensive victory in the elections as well, and of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel are being heard. Also on the table are the names of Commissioners Chris Patten and Antonio Vittorino.

The Christian Democrats, however, who hold the majority in the European Parliament want the socialist Prodi to be succeeded by a personality from their own political side.

[02] Final results of June 13 European elections

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

According to the final tally, ruling New Democracy received 43.03 per cent of the vote and elected 11 MEPs, main opposition PASOK received 34.01 per cent and elected 8 MEPs, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) received 9.48 per cent of the vote and elected 3 MEPs, the Coalition of the Left received 4.16 per cent of the vote and elected one MEP, while the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) received 4.12 per cent of the vote and elected one MEP.

The other 19 parties participating in the election received 5.21 per cent of the overall vote and elected no MEPs.

Voter turnout for the election was 63.18 per cent, down from 74.93 per cent in the European elections of 1999. Of the parties taking part, New Democracy increased its percentage relative to the last European elections by 7.04 per cent and PASOK by 1.16 per cent, while KKE's percentage dropped marginally by 0.8 per cent and the Coalition's by 1.01 per cent.

LAOS participated in a European election for the first time, while the percentage of the vote going to smaller parties plummeted from 17.31 per cent in 1999 to 5.21 per cent in 2004.

[03] FM Molyviatis, parliamentary committee rep Makri meet with EU anti-terrorism coordinator De Vries

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Dutch politician De Vries was named as the European Union's first anti-terrorism coordinator in late March. He was deputy interior minister of The Netherlands between 1998 and 2002, and also sat on the convention that drafted the EU's proposed constitution and played a leading role in setting up the International Criminal Court (ICC). He is a member of the Dutch parliament for the liberal conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). The counter-terrorism coordinator is working under the EU's foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana, and is answerable to the Council of Ministers.

De Vries also met with the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on public administration, public order and justice Zetta Makri, who briefed him on the contents of the bill on the "European Arrest Warrant) and the amendment of Law 2923/2001 on criminal organizations.

The bill, which was tabled in the Greek parliament on Tuesday and was expected to be passed by end-June, "harmonizes Greek legislation with that of the other (EU) member states in the area of preventing and combatting terrorism".

According to a press release, Makri outlined the Greek authorities successes in wiping out terrorism in Greece. She also placed emphasis on the protection of human rights and praised the judicial corps for its impartiality and its high level of knowledge. She further assured De Vries that Greece will continue to cooperate in the framework of exchanges of information at European level and in confronting terrorism, so that the European citizen may feel safer.

De Vries, in turn, briefed Makri on the main aspects of his task, which aimed at the adoption of a minimum common European legislation, the reinforcement of cooperation between the police and the legislative authority, the adoption of the European Arrest Warrant, and intensification of EU relations with the UN.

He also stressed the need for raising the preparedness level of the authoritative services of the EU member states.

De Vries' tour is taking place ahead of the upcoming EU summit, where he will present the first package of action measures.

[04] Justice minister has meeting with EU 'terror tsar' Gijs de Vries in Athens

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Papaligouras said his talks with the Dutch politician were an extension of those that took place at the EU justice and interior affairs council in Luxembourg, while he briefed de Vries on a draft bill for European arrest warrants and additions to anti-terror legislation that he had tabled in Parliament the previous day.

The justice minister also used the opportunity to deny a report appearing in the newspaper 'Ta Nea' about a so-called "Olympic ghetto" being prepared at a former U.S. base in Attica, which the paper said would be used to house undesirables such as beggars, illegal immigrants and drug addicts in order to "clean up" the streets of Athens for the Olympics.

The minister described the article as "science fiction" and said the facilities were being prepared for temporary use, in order to detain or temporarily hold in custody any visitors to Greece who indulged in delinquent behavior during the period of the Olympic Games.

He said the extra facilities were needed because of the poor state of the country's prisons, which were grossly overpopulated. The minister explained that the old army camp was being repaired in order to house up to 250 foreigners if necessary, since no other provision had been made for dealing with potential law-breakers among the large amounts of visitors expected to arrive in Greece for the Olympics.

Regarding the ministry's bill for European arrest warrants, Papaligouras stressed that international terrorism could only be combated through international cooperation.

"The bill we tabled yesterday, which harmonizes Greek laws with the rest of Europe, increases the sense of security of European societies and at the same time protects human rights," he said.

Coalition party leader, referring to anti-terrorism law, says 21st century republics need more democracy: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos, referring on Wednesday to the new anti-terrorism law which was tabled on Tuesday, said the republics of the 21st century need more democracy and not less democracy.

Constantopoulos said that with the invocation of terrorism a special status is being established which imposes apparatuses of pre-emptive surveillance and suppression.

The Coalition party leader further said the New Democracy government, continuing the same practice of European Union governments is bowing to pressures for the establishment of an institutional framework which has nothing to do with the institutional democratic model of Europe that has been achieved by peoples, expressing his categorical opposition to any logic of submitting to expediencies and falsifying the democratic legality of lawful guarantees for human rights.

[05] Candidacy proposal for Commission president at the discretion of the EU heads of state and government

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Greece, he said, was not an exception to the rule that the foreign ministries of the member countries did not have the first say on such matters, adding that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the heads of state and government of the EU member states.

He also noted that, following the recent major enlargement of the EU, the position of Commission president took on exceptional importance.

Koumoutsakos added that the issue would be discussed by the EU head of state and government at the dinner to be held Thursday evening in Brussels in the framework of the EU summit.

[06] Former PM Costas Simitis holds telephone conversation with Luxembourg

PM BRUSSELS 17/6/2004 (ANA/A.Panagopoulos)

The Luxembourg prime minister said he did not discuss with Simitis the possibility of assuming a European post, such as the post of European Council president, noting that "we are discussing about the course of Europe, which is a more important issue than this question."

Junker reiterated that he is not interested in the post of European Commission president because, as he said, he had promised before the Euroelections that he will remain prime minister and that he "does not want to appear a liar."

[07] Turkey called on to complete negotiations with EU and extend customs union agreement to new EU member-states

BRUSSELS 17/6/2004 (ANA)

According to reports, in the announcement agreed on Turkey, the European Council calls this country to complete negotiations with the Commission, extending the Customs Union Agreement between the EU and Turkey to all 10 new member-states, including Cyprus.

[08] Foreign ministry spokesman says reference to Turkish Cypriots at Islamic Conference not recognition

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Koumoutsakos said both the report by the UN secretary general on the issue of Cyprus and UN Security Council resolutions, as well as the status of full EU member Cyprus has now, rule out the possibility of recognition for the northern part of Cyprus, stressing that "there is no concern over this issue."

The spokesman mentioned that the resolution has its significance, but with it observer status applied until now for the Turkish Cypriot delegation does not change in any case and, consequently, it is not upgraded.

[09] Alogoskoufis calls for marginal, zero utility hikes until end of '05

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

He spoke during a meeting with the heads of utilities and large state-run enterprises, while he also called on their management teams to begin immediately developing their operational plans for 2005.

In other comments, Alogoskoufis said utilities' total payroll costs should not increase more than 5 percent from 2003's figures.

Finally, he stressed that the national economy and finance ministry will monitor state-run enterprises' costs and operational plans more closely in the near future.

[10] Tourism and Town Planning ministers discuss founding bill of new ministry

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Afterwards, they said the meeting had been an opportunity to formulate joint policies regarding the development of tourism. Asked about rocketing prices in tourist areas and the islands, Avramopoulos said that such phenomena had been observed before in periods leading up to the Olympics and stressed that his ministry was tirelessly monitoring prices throughout the country, while expressing confidence that these would eventually settle at normal levels.

Avramopoulos said his ministry's founding bill would be ready in a few days, when it would be tabled in Parliament. He said it would determine all the ministry's responsibilities, both those that were exclusive to it and those that were shared with other government ministries.

[11] Analyst sees growth at 3.8 pct in 2004

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Joblessness is forecast to drop to 8.8 per cent in 2004, 8.4 per cent in 2005, and 8.0 per cent in 2006, the report said.

The New Democracy government's strong showing in European parliamentary elections this month means it has a solid mandate to forge ahead with economic policy; and the net outlook for the nation's finances is favorable after the Olympics, if fiscal revitalization and the right policy mix are achieved, according to Eurobank.

Other targets should be price stability, improved competitiveness, and market deregulation, the report added.

[12] PPC bids in Bulgarian privatization tender

SOFIA 17/6/2004 (ANA/B.Borisov)

Also bidding for the distributors in Plovdiv and Stara Zagora are ENEL of Italy, EVN of Austria and CHEZ of the Czech Republic.

[13] Evert blasts 'sinful' ASE management, calls for its removal

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

He said ASE chairman Panagiotis Alexakis, in particular, had been involved since 1997 in all the "suspect" stock exchange transactions and procedures on the Athens bourse that cost 1.3 million small investors their life's savings and shared responsibility for the "crimes on the stock market". He also called for the removal of ASE vice-chairmen Sokratis Lazaridis and Leto Ioannidou.

Three months after the elections and after justice had once again initiated an investigation into the stock market scandal, those responsible still kept their positions and should already have been removed, Evert stressed.

Responding to Evert's statements, finance ministry staff noted that the Greek State was no longer a shareholder of the Greek Stock Markets company that owned the ASE, having sold its share to banks in 2003. They said the government was now in the middle of talks with the banks that owned a majority share in the stock market about appointing a new management at the next general assembly at the end of June.

In the meantime, it added, the stock market was under the supervision of the Capital Markets Commission, whose management had been changed soon after the elections.

[14] Parliament ratifies measures for settlement of debts to state insurance funds

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Labor Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos said the measure would give hundreds of farming families 'breathing space' to make payments. The amendment was included in a bill for part-time employment in the public sector.

[15] Airbus awards Olympic Airlines on maintenance and safety

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

[16] Greek-Turkish tourism forum called off

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

He said in a statement that Turkey's minister of culture and tourism, who was to hold talks with Avramopoulos at the meeting in Samos and Kusadasi on Thursday and Friday, cannot attend for personal reasons.

[17] EU to investigate Greek aid schemes

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

The Community's rules on state aid for rescuing and restructuring enterprises in difficulty explicitly make the granting of aid conditional on presentation of a restructuring plan. It appears from the information available that this requirement was not imposed, the Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

Once officially notified of the Commission's decision Greek authorities will have one month to comment and provide clarification.

Once in possession of the clarification sought from Greek authorities and any contributions from other interested parties along with Greece's response, the Commission will decide whether or not the aid granted is compatible with EU rules.

[18] Gov't rejects ferry owners' demand for fare hikes

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

The Union of Passenger Ship Owners (EEA) has in the past stated that it will embark on the increases without the government's consent, and protect any of its members that are taken to court by the state for unilateral hikes.

Kefaloyiannis said the state had a right to intervene in price setting for third class ferry tickets that derives from national legislation, while ferry owners claim that market deregulation means the government cannot ordain pricing.

The two sides are to meet again for fresh talks.

[19] Stocks rise in slim trade

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,406.47 points, showing a 0.15 per cent increase. Turnover was 99.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.24 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.20 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.21 per cent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 168 to 111 with 72 remaining unchanged.

[20] The Olympic Flame visits Mexico City and LA

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

On Tuesday, the Olympic Flame was in Mexico City, the host city of the 1968 Games. Mexicans celebrated the arrival of the flame with a very original ceremony. Hundreds of students from the Sport University presented a panorama of 45 sports in the Olympic Stadium.

"We are moved by the arrival of the Flame in Mexico, which brings back memories from the 1968 Olympic Games. I believe that the Olympic Games taking place in Athens is a long-awaited event," Nelson Varcas Basanas, sport secretary of the State of Mexico said.

Enriquta Basilio, the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron in a Stadium in the 1968 Games, was the first torchbearer: "I wish every success to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games from the bottom of my heart, because they bear a special symbolism and convey a message of unity and peace," she said.

The Flame was carried by 122 torchbearers over a distance of 53 kilometers. It traveled by all of the city's landmarks, ending in the main square where the major Government buildings are located.

[21] Ecumenical Patriarch meets with Austria's political leadership

VIENNA 17/6/2004 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

During his meeting with the outgoing Austrian President Thomas Klestil, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Foreign Affairs Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Vartholomeos emphasized the improved conditions for the Patriarchate thanks to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's administration, which has shown greater respect for the rights of minorities and for human rights in general.

In comments he made to the ANA in Vienna, Vartholomeos discussed Turkey's European prospects and emphasized that the Patriarchate's position on the issue has always been, "that we want Turkey as a full-fledged EU member," a position which is in line with the views of the current and former Greek government. He also noted that there are problems which the Patriarchate acknowledges, but with the approach and decisiveness Erdogan's government has shown, Vartholomeos believes these problems can be overcome. Additionally, he pointed out that even if a date is set in December for Turkey's EU accession talks to begin, Turkey will have several years to adapt to European standards and legislation.

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is also scheduled to arrive in Vienna on Saturday. During the weekend, Vartholomeos and Stephanopoulos will attend the special events to be held in celebration of the 200th year anniversary of Vienna's National School and the founding of the first Greek Orthodox church, St. George, in the Austrian capital's Greek district.

[22] "Perspectives of Athens by Modern Greek Painters" opened Wednesday

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Sixty contemporary Greek painters present their "view" of the city through their work, an exhibit which according to Psarouda-Benaki is not only artistically significant, but is also significant for Athens, the host city of the greatest sport event in the world.

"The Olympic Games are a great test, a test of our image, of our reputation throughout the world," she emphasized. "We hope that it is this international event that will connect past and present with all the timeless values which we must pass on to younger generations."

Athens 2004 Managing Director Ioannis Spanudakis, described the exhibit as "a unique journey in time," and emphasized its importance within the context of the Olympic Games.

Museum Curator Antonis Vogiatzis and Museum Director Stelios Lydakis were especially proud of the exhibit, pointing out that the specific theme has never been covered so broadly and with such noteworthy works.

Another exhibit "The Great Athens Travellers," which refers to the most significant Athens travelers from the 15th through the 19th Century, will be held at the museum at the same time.

The Museum is located at Klafthmonos Square; admission is free of charge.

[23] Crete University Library's online program for rare books awarded by EU

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

Visiting the library's site www.touchandturn.com/Vlibrary.html the general public now has access to digital replicas of rare books that were previously only available to researchers, such as the work "Das Lange bestrittene Konigreich Candia" published in 1643 by Matthaeus Merian, a pupil of famous Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck.

The program, which will soon acquire an information booth complete with a touch-screen computer monitor, was funded by the EU's "Access to European Cultural Heritage" initiative and forms part of an overall effort to create and maintain an online digital library for the University of Crete, that will include materials such as digital dissertations, PhD theses, periodicals, course guides and rare printed matter. The library Internet site is at www.lib.uoc.gr.

[24] Republika Srpska school children donate money for repairs to Hilandari Monastery

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

The Hilandari Monastery was founded by St Sava, the founder the Serbian Orthodox Church, and is very important symbol to Orthodox Serbs throughout the world, who have begun collecting money to restore the damage it suffered in the March fire.

Repairs to the monastery have already begun under the supervision of the Centre for the Preservation of Mount Athos Heritage (KEDAK), which has started by removing dangerous sections of the damaged buildings, clearing the rubble and then draw up plans for rebuilding.

The work so far has cost 300,000 euros, while the sum required for complete restoration of all the damage is estimated to be around 30 million euros, which will largely be covered by the Greek state.

[25] Sports Minister comments on tie between Greece and Spain

Athens, 17/6/2004 (ANA)

[26] Greek Cypriot side ready to renegotiate, Cyprus President says

LARNACA 17/6/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to the press prior to his departure for Brussels, where he will take part in the European Council to be held June 17-18, President Papadopoulos said also that a change of the name of the Turkish Cypriot regime at the Islamic Conference Organization and the use of the name given to it in the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's settlement plan for Cyprus (Turkish Cypriot state) is ''of course something that has its own importance.''

''However, the goal that was to upgrade the participation of the pseudo state to the Islamic Conference was not achieved. Even the change of the name certainly is not propitious for us but it is not the end of the world,'' he added.

President Papadopoulos referred to the issues to be discussed by the European Council and particularly to the issue of the EU constitution, noting that this might be the last effort of the EU

Irish Presidency to achieve an agreement on this issue.

As regards the decision Turkey has to take on whether it will extend its customs union towards Cyprus, Papadopoulos said ''Turkey will today announce if it will extend this agreement towards Cyprus something which is our demand and a demand of the EU.''

Invited to comment on press information that Turkey appears to be ready to recognize the Republic of Cyprus only under the name of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said that the EU has its rules and it is not Turkey's choice how to proceed.

Asked about the election of a Turk to the position of the OIC Secretary - General and whether this will cause difficulties to the Republic of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said that new OIC SG is considered to be a notable personality.

He added that the Islamic Conference has never been particularly friendly to Cyprus for religious reasons, but ''there are many friendly countries towards Cyprus which intervene continuously and hinder the upgrading of the regime in the occupied areas to a full member and we must not ignore them. Some countries this time as in the past struggled to defend us,'' he said.

Invited to comment on statements by so-called foreign minister of the illegal regime Serdar Denktash that the Greek Cypriots have by the end of the year to accept a solution, otherwise the recognition of the illegal state will be promoted, Papadopoulos said that ''Mr Serdar Denktash wants a solution by December, we want a solution yesterday.''

He added that ''we are ready for renegotiating whenever such an initiative is undertaken,'' adding that ''this is our declared position for quite a long time now.''

Papadopoulos noted that ''we want changes in the Annan plan, not only external to make it acceptable and to meet the concerns of the Greek Cypriots. We are talking about security issues and of ensuring the implementation of the plan. These are the necessary preconditions. But I add that there are changes that have to be brought to the conditions, the provisions of the plan,'' he added.

Asked about the measures the European Commission will announce for the Turkish Cypriots, Papadopoulos said ''the Republic of Cyprus participates actively in the formation of these rules.''

''We suggest some measures, the European Union suggests some others. There are many obstacles which emerge from the EU rules. We are trying to find solutions because our effort is to reinforce the Turkish Cypriot community allowing the standard of living of our compatriots to rise,'' he added.

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