Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis says mood exists for agreement on European constitution

[02] PASOK leader attends European Socialist Party summit

[03] US ambassador-nominee for Greece testifies before Senate committee

[04] President of the Republic to carry out official visit to Azerbaijan

[05] Alogoskoufis: Olympics budget reaches six billion euros

[06] Public investment plan for 2004 totals 2.29 bln euros

[07] Former Greek Telecoms managing director charged with breach of faith

[08] Greek-Turkish Tourism Forum on Samos postponed after death of Izmir mayor

[09] Attica hotel employees on strike following court sanction

[10] Stocks drop below support at 2,400 pts

[11] The Olympic Flame in Los Angeles

[12] Olympic Flame to arrive in New York Saturday

[13] Calatrava visits Athens Olympic Sports Complex

[14] Armed forces to provide health care services during Athens Games

[15] Chemical, radiological detection devices at N. Greece border post

[16] "Pierre de Coubertin and the Greek Miracle" exhibit opened Wednesday

[17] President Stephanopoulos in Austria on Saturday to attend anniversary of Greek school's establishment

[18] Vartholomeos receives special honors in Austria

[19] Ozone layer will remain vulnerable in coming decades, scientists stress at major Kos symposium

[20] Celebration of 170th anniversary since the foundation of the State Audit Council

[21] National Meteorological Service issues severe weather warning

[22] Cyprus President discusses T/C measures with EU Commissioner

[01] PM Karamanlis says mood exists for agreement on European constitution

BRUSSELS 18/6/2004 (ANA - Ch. Poulidou)

Replying to a questioner on the government's position regarding the possible candidacy of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis for the post of Commission President, Karamanlis said such a candidacy "has not been discussed", but that he would support it "for reasons that all would also jointly sign."

As regards the issue of the Intergovernmental Conference, the European constitution, the prime minister expressed "reserved optimism", ascertaining a converging mood.

On the question of Greece's position on the issue of the number of commissioners, Karamanlis said that, until 2014, the Greek position in favor of one commissioner for each country has been secured.

However, he placed particular emphasis on the importance of achieving an agreement, stressing that "what is important for us is for us to have a European constitution the day after tomorrow."

Responding to a question on the European Union's presidency on bolstering security measures in the EU, the prime minister said it was the option of the European leaders themselves "to strengthen the citizens' feeling of security. Nobody forced us."

Commenting on the candidacy of Chris Patten to succeed Romano Prodi as European Commission President (who was proposed by the European People's Party), Karamanlis said the EPP has an "important say" but added that "the process is open."

The European Council was having a working dinner and the issue due to be discussed is the election of the new Commission President.

According to reports, the presidency is following a speedy process in the discussion on the European constitution, which facilitates the flow of the summit.

However, different views were voiced on controversial issues. Particularly on the issue of the composition of the "commissioners' college", on the proposal by the presidency for each member-state to maintain one commissioner each until 2014, there was strong reaction by medium-sized and small countries which requested that there should be no time limit.

The equality of members at Commission level must be enacted without time limits, they claimed, while a compromise idea was put forward according to which what will happen after 2014 should not be decided now, but the composition of the "commissioners' college" must be decided then (with the 10-year experience the EU will have obtained).

A strong trend also appears to exist on increasing the seats of small member-states without, however, this affecting the Eurodeputies of Cyprus who remain six.

Regarding the proposal to abandon unanimity and the corresponding enactment of a special majority in the process of taking decisions, Greece agrees with this view although strong objections are being raised, primarily by Britain.

Lastly, defining the "double majority" is subject to many alternative proposals and some countries link their finalized position on the issue to the determination of seats in the European Parliament.

Issue of European Commission president deadlocked: The issue of the election of a new European Commission president was led to a deadlock after leaders of the 25 European Union member-states failed to reach an agreement during a working dinner on Thursday night.

The Irish EU presidency interrupted the discussion and began bilateral contacts with all leaders, while at 12.30 a.m., Greek time, the summit was scheduled to resume its session.

According to reports, French President Jacques Chirac was leaving the Belgian capital to attend, on Friday morning, the anniversary of the day the late French President Charles de Gaulle called on the French to resist Germany.

The same reports said the French president requested from German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to represent him during the session.

[02] PASOK leader attends European Socialist Party summit

BRUSSELS 18/6/2004 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Papandreou said what is of importance to the European socialists is that the new Commission president must be interested in a Europe which shall have as its focal point the promotion of employment and the protection of the citizen's social rights .

On the question of the names of political personalities being mentioned in the international press as possible successors of Romano Prodi, the PASOK leader avoided making any predictions.

Asked, however, whether former Prime Minister Costas Simitis is among them, Papandreou reiterated that he is confident that the former prime minister could be considered as a mutually acceptable personality to assume one of the leading posts in the European Union, that is either president of the Commission or of the European Council.

Papandreou noted that the socialists are not the majority in the EU at present and the European People's Party (EPP) has the first say. He added that if the EPP fails to agree on a personality, then it is possible that one of the many important personalities from the European Socialist Party's sector could be elected.

Referring to the European constitution, Papandreou expressed support for its ratification, stressing that the identity of a unified Europe will be strengthened, as well as its voice on the international political scene.

He also referred to a series of bilateral meetings he had on the sidelines of the ESP's summit on Thursday with Commissioners Lamy and Vittorino and the new Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.

Commenting on his meeting with the Spanish prime minister, Papandreou said the climate was good, there is an identity of views on many issues, both on international and social policy, and that relations between the two parties will be warm.

[03] US ambassador-nominee for Greece testifies before Senate committee

WASHINGTON 18/6/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Reis, who has served since 2000 as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for EU and regional affairs, was testifying before the US Senate foreign relations committee, which will be called on to ratify his nomination.

Reis, a career diplomat, was not due to take up his new post before the end of the year, replacing current US ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller.

Reis said he knew Greece very well, due to his current post in the state department, noting that, in that capacity, he had worked closely with the (previous) government of (former prime minister and ex PASOK leader) Costas Simitis during the Greek EU presidency, which he described as one of the most successful EU presidencies ever.

He also praised the role of the 1.2 million-strong Greek community in the US, while also noting that some 100,000 Americans were living in Greece.

Reis pledged to build on the work accomplished by current ambassador Miller, in cooperation with the Greek government in Greece's preparations in the security sector for the Olympic Games.

He said that Greece has contributed to combatting international terrorism, and described the country as a factor of stability in the Balkans, and expressed support for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Turkey.

Reis further noted that Greece enjoyed the respect and confidence of the countries of the Middle East and, in that respect, could play a role in the region and contribute to the US and EU efforts for stability in the Middle East.

He also pointed out that Greece was an old and active member of NATO and was taking part in the (peacekeeping) operation in Afghanistan, and further agreed that there was room for substantial development of economic relations, citing a recent statement to that effect by Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis during his recent visit to Washington.

[04] President of the Republic to carry out official visit to Azerbaijan

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

[05] Alogoskoufis: Olympics budget reaches six billion euros

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

Speaking before a relevant Parliament committee overseeing public finances, Alogoskoufis underlined what he called a "fictitious" Olympic budget drawn up by the previous government, which stood at 4.6 billion euros.

Rather, he said, the budget for various Olympics-related projects, infrastructure, procurements and payroll costs is closer to six billion euros. Citing one example, Alogoskoufis said a bonus for law enforcement personnel was not included in this budget, moments before he referred to a "titanic effort" underway to meet deadlines for the upcoming Games.

In response, main opposition PASOK deputy George Floridis - a one-time minister finance, public order and sports minister - charged that a revised and increased Olympics budget will "satisfy even the wildest demands by contractors".

Finally, he cited a "fiscal deviation" during the 2003-2004 period -- a criticism again aimed at the previous PASOK government.

In response to queries by a handful of opposition deputies on why a supplementary state budget isn't tabled in light of the charges of a "fiscal deviation", Alogoskoufis said such a move has never been taken by any Greek government.

[06] Public investment plan for 2004 totals 2.29 bln euros

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

Of the amount, 2.27 billion euros have been earmarked as credits for 2004 and the remainder for 2005, the ministry said in a statement.

The program for 2003 totalled 1.61 billion euros, rising to 2.35 billion euros to include late procurements, the ministry added.

[07] Former Greek Telecoms managing director charged with breach of faith

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

[08] Greek-Turkish Tourism Forum on Samos postponed after death of Izmir mayor

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

The two-day Forum, which was due to meet on Samos on Thursday then move to the Turkish town of Kusadasi on Friday, was postponed as soon as the news of Piristina's death of a heart attack was learned, and after Greek tourism minister Dimitris Avramopoulos expressed his desire to attend Pristina's funeral.

Piristina, 52, was a major factor in the Turkish tourism sector. No new date was immediately set for the Forum, which was to be attended by Avramopoulos and Turkish minister of culture and tourism Erkan Mumcu, as well as tourism representatives and local officials from both countries.

The Forum was to culminate Friday with the signing of a joint Proclamation by the two ministers.

[09] Attica hotel employees on strike following court sanction

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

They also marched to the Labor Ministry and were promised a meeting with Labor Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos next week.

According to the hotel employee union president Yiannis Tsakiris, the minister appeared sympathetic to their demands but did not make any specific promises. He stressed that hotel employees were determined to continue strike action if their demands were not met.

[10] Stocks drop below support at 2,400 pts

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,376.08 points, showing a 1.26 per cent decline. Turnover was 96.5 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 1.20 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.94 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.42 per cent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 248 to 39 with 69 remaining unchanged.

[11] The Olympic Flame in Los Angeles

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

"I am happy, it is the most important moment of my life," Sylvester Stallone said right before receiving the Olympic Flame as first torchbearer from LA Mayor James Hahn. Speaking to Hellenic National Television (ERT), Stallone equated being the first torchbearer with "the dreams of an immigrant come true."

The route of the Olympic Flame through Los Angeles took in all the landmarks that have made the city famous, such as Sunset Boulevard and the Stadium where the 1984 Olympic Games were held. One of the torchbearers was Peter Glentzos, the oldest US citizen alive to have taken part in the Olympic Games. In 1932, he represented Greece at the first Los Angeles Games. On Wednesday, he turned 95. The priest of the St. Sophia Cathedral, a Greek Orthodox church, was also a torchbearer. Other torchbearers included comedian Ellen Degeneris and actor Tom Cruise. LA's torch relay finished at Dodgers Stadium, with the American Olympic legend, decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson as final torchbearer.

On Thursday morning, "Zeus," the plane carrying the Olympic Flame set off for St. Louis, celebrating the centenary of its 1904 Games with Athens 2004 torch relay.

[12] Olympic Flame to arrive in New York Saturday

NEW YORK 18/6/2004 (ANA/P.Panagiotou)

From there the torch relay will begin, covering all of New York's five boroughs and making stops at various landmarks, such as Ground Zero, the Greek Consulate and UN headquarters.

On the occasion of the Olympic Flame stopping at the UN headquarters and the significance Greece places on the Olympic Truce, Palli-Petralia will host a reception at the UN before the Flame's arrival.

After the UN, the Olympic Flame will be carried to Times Square where it will finish its US leg of the International Torch Relay. On Sunday, June 20, the Olympic Flame will visit Montreal, Canada.

[13] Calatrava visits Athens Olympic Sports Complex

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

Calatrava expressed his satisfaction with the successful installation of the roof's arcs and added, "Despite negative comments, the roof will be ready on time." Asked to comment on the project's cost, he said: "I will provide all the answers along with the Games organizers soon."

[14] Armed forces to provide health care services during Athens Games

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

Addressing the Armed Forces' medical staff, Lambropoulos emphasized that the Olympic Games are a bet the Greeks must win, in order to prove that modern-day Greece also writes history and is a dynamic cultural force.

During the seminar, information and figures related to the health care needs of the Olympic Games were made available.

A total of 2,800 volunteers will contribute to the Olympic Games health services, 700 of which are specialist doctors, 400 are nurses, 400 are physiotherapists, 550 are rescuers, etc. Aside from Olympic hospitals and the Olympic Village Medical Centre, 220 doctors' offices will be set up at Olympic venues.

The Armed Forces will complement the Games' needs for health care services by making available 622 staff, military hospitals, ambulances, and the airports of Andravida, Araxos and Iraklio.

Additionally, the Armed Forces will also make available the Interdepartmental Unit of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense, which includes 208 medical and nursing staff, who have been trained to deal with a possible terrorist attack away or even within the hospital. A Bioprotection Wing with 24 beds and 63 staff specialized in chemical detection has been established at the Athens Military Hospital.

[15] Chemical, radiological detection devices at N. Greece border post

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

The devices are similar to X-ray machines at airport terminals. Beyond an increase in the number of personnel and customs officials at the customs post, computer checks will link with the Pan-European Schengen network.

[16] "Pierre de Coubertin and the Greek Miracle" exhibit opened Wednesday

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

The exhibit, as its name implies, deals with the revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, presenting various documents and objects which shed light on the close relationship between Pierre de Coubertin and the new Greek nation which was developing at the time.

The first part of the exhibit deals with the excavations in Ancient Olympia in the early 19th Century and includes a short overview of the Olympic Games during ancient times. The second part focuses on the significant contribution of the Greeks Zappas, Averoff, Fokianos, Vikelas, and the Panhellenic Gymnastic Association and the creation of the Olympic Movement on an international scale. The final part of the exhibit includes the presentation of the first Olympic Games with numerous photographs and sports equipment. The exhibit also focuses on "The years of uncertainty", which covers the period when Greece was hoping to permanently host the Olympic Games and Pierre de Coubertin was making the Olympic Movement an international affair.

The exhibit is presented in Greek, English and French and is made possible with the support of the International Olympic Committee, the French Sports Ministry, the Comite International Pierre de Coubertin and the Agence pour la Francophonie. It is being held at the Technopolis of the Athens Municipality, Gazi.

[17] President Stephanopoulos in Austria on Saturday to attend anniversary of Greek school's establishment

VIENNA 18/6/2004 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

Immediately after his arrival in Vienna, President Stephanopoulos, who will be accompanied by Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis and Deputy Foreign Minister Panayiotis Skandalakis, will attend a religious service officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch in memory of the founders of the historic Greek communities of Saint George and the Holy Trinity, as well as of the Greek National School of Vienna.

President Stephanopoulos and Vartholomeos will hold a joint meeting with Austrian President Thomas Klestil, who will give an official luncheon in their honor afterwards.

President Stephanopoulos will be leaving on Sunday to make an official visit to Azerbaijan.

[18] Vartholomeos receives special honors in Austria

VIENNA 18/6/2004 (ANA / D.Dimitrakoudis)

Vartholomeos will also receive special honors from the University of Graz which on Friday will designate him Honorary Doctor of its School of Theology.

The Patriarch is on an official 7-day visit to Austria as of Wednesday.

[19] Ozone layer will remain vulnerable in coming decades, scientists stress at major Kos symposium

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

In a press release outlining the symposium's conclusions on Thursday, International Ozone Commission Secretary Prof. Christos Zerefos noted that the Montreal Protocol and its amendments had led to a fast decrease in the emissions of ozone-depleting substances, such as CFCs, but stressed that actual ozone recovery was harder to detect since it was influenced by complex atmospheric interactions and year-to-year climatic variations.

Zerefos also reported forecasts in the 690 scientific papers presented at the symposium that UV-B levels in 2000-2019 will decrease for all seasons except spring in both hemispheres, though not by a statistically significant amount and with the exception of a region in western Europe, where UV-B is seen as rising due to a decrease in cloudiness.

According to the data presented, emissions of ozone-depleting substances through human activity peaked in the last years of the 20th century and then decreased due to the Montreal Protocol. Continued compliance with the Protocol is expected to bring about a very slow decrease in stratospheric concentrations of ozone-destroying chemicals in the next decades.

Measurements show a decline in ozone-depleting CFCs in the lower atmosphere and a leveling off of the chlorine content in the stratosphere. There are also overall indications that ozone is higher in recent years than expected but it is hard to say whether this is statistically significant, since a number of factors are known to affect ozone response, ranging from water vapor content and variability in weather patterns to greenhouse gases, radiation balance and volcanic explosions, such as that of Pinatubo and El Chichon in the early '80s and '90s.

According to data collected during the more intensified global atmospheric monitoring since the discovery of the ozone hold, losses in total column ozone relative to pre-ozone-hole abundances of 1980 are around 3-4 per cent in northern mid-latitudes in winter and spring and about 6 per cent in southern mid-latitudes all year round.

Scientists say that for coming decades the atmospheric abundances of ozone-depleting substances will be near their highest and human-influenced perturbations will be at or near their largest. They stressed that continued compliance with the Montreal Protocol is expected to lead to a recovery of the ozone layer.

According to the IOC, a 70-year-old scientific body responsible for the science of the ozone layer, the detection of ozone recovery requires patience since there is still a long way to go before scientists fully understand the complex system of interactions between ozone and a globally changing environment.

"The best tools we have at present are the continuation of global quality observations both from ground and from space," Zerefos notes in the press release.

The topics discussed during the symposium included the search for ozone recovery in long-term data records of ozone, the use of satellite and ground-based data to evaluate models of ozone loss and recovery, the extension of long-term data records made by satellites or on the ground, evaluation of the future of ozone recovery in a changing climate using coupled climate/chemistry models, development of satellite capability to measure the content of the troposphere and measurements and trends in UV radiation levels reaching the earth's surface.

UV radiation stabilizing in sub-tropical regions like the Mediterranean, ozone scientists say: The ozone layer and the amount of dangerous UV radiation reaching the surface of the earth showed signs of stabilizing in the tropics and in regions like the Mediterranean and southern California, scientists specializing in the ozone layer said during a press conference on Thursday.

The press conference was held at the Athens Academy's Institute for Medical and Biological Research to present the conclusions of the 20th Quadrennial Symposium on Atmospheric Ozone that took place on the island of Kos from June 1-8.

According to the Institute's director Prof. Grigorios Skalkeas, this was a finding of great importance for Greek tourism. Another important finding for Greece, from a financial point of view, was the fact that much of Greece's atmospheric pollution was "imported", meaning that the country would not be liable for environmental pollution fines.

He also announced an initiative by the weather science laboratories of the Athens Academy, Thessaloniki University and Athens University, in collaboration with the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC), to provide athletes with updates on UV levels, weather and environmental conditions during the Games in August at the website http://lap.physics.auth.gr/uvindex.

ATHOC representative for environmental issues Christina Theoharis said that new means of public transport and restriction of vehicle traffic to just one lane during that period were expected to reduce pollution levels during the Games.

International Ozone Commission Secretary Christos Zerefos, meanwhile, noted that there were advance signals of phenomena such as heat waves, so that measures could be taken.

Commenting on the conclusions of the symposium and an earlier conference held in October 2003 regarding the health impact of pollutants, Zerefos stressed there were significant problems with the migration of pollutants between nations. While noting that Europe had made strides in reducing atmospheric pollution, he said that there was a lot of imported pollution from sources in the northern hemisphere, particularly the United States, Asia and international shipping, which was responsible for 10 percent of all sulphur dioxide emissions.

[20] Celebration of 170th anniversary since the foundation of the State Audit Council

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

Other dignitaries present included Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras, former President of the Republic Christos Sartzetakis, the head of the Athens Bar Association Dimitris Paxinos and a number of MPs and members of the judiciary

[21] National Meteorological Service issues severe weather warning

Athens, 18/6/2004 (ANA)

It said the General Secretariat for Civil Protection has been informed and all appropriate agencies were on standby to deal with emergencies.

[22] Cyprus President discusses T/C measures with EU Commissioner

BRUSSELS 18/6/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to reporters after meeting EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen Wednesday night, President Papadopoulos said he believed Turkey had no choice but to extend its customs union agreement with the EU to cover all ten new members, including Cyprus.

Referring to the meeting, followed by a dinner, President Papadopoulos said they examined the course of various plans, which the EU has drafted to help promote Turkish Cypriots's economic situation. ''I am very satisfied with what I have heard,'' Papadopoulos said.

He noted that the two had a ''very good and sincere exchange of views''.

On the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos noted that he agreed with the EU Commissioner that no immediate developments are foreseen.

Asked if they examined issues concerning direct trade with Turkish Cypriots or opening of the closed ports and airports, President Papadopoulos said ''we discussed them and I explained our positions. I think there is a lot of understanding'', he added.

To a question whether the trade with Turkish Cypriots will take place on the basis of the original document of the Commission or it will proceed on the basis of the Green Line regulation and not direct trade, Papadopoulos said the issue was being examined by experts.

He said he talked with Verheugen general policy issues and expressed certainty that ''both sides will be able to find the best procedures. Mr. Verheugen had made it clear that all these are subject to negotiation and not coercion'', the Cypriot President pointed out.

Invited to comment on the document included in the reference to Turkey in the European Council draft conclusions, regarding Turkey applying the customs union with Cyprus too, President Papadopoulos said ''the document, as it was changed, is satisfactory. It calls on Turkey to extend the agreement to all ten countries. I believe there is no way for Turkey to avoid extending the agreement towards Cyprus.''

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