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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-07-16Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>July 16, 2004CONTENTS
[01] PM Karamanlis inaugurates 'AGON' exhibition at renovated National Archaeological MuseumAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)With the wish that the spirit of the Olympic Games remains alive in the hearts of all also after the Olympic Games in August, Prime Minister and Culture Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday night inaugurated the exhibition "AGON" at the renovated National Archaeological Museum of Athens.The prime minister wished that it constitutes a source of inspiration for the most noble, as he said, struggle of the individual, the struggle with himself. During his speech, the prime minister referred to the values and ideals of the Olympic Games and noted that it is a unique opportunity "for sport to be a source of communication in a world which is thirsty for values." Karamanlis arrived at the National Archaeological Museum accompanied by Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis and Deputy Minister responsible for sport George Orfanos. The prime minister congratulated all those who worked for the renovation of the museum which was damaged by the 1999 earthquakes. Karamanlis was welcomed by the director of the National Archaeological Museum, Nikos Kaltsas who said that the exhibition "AGON" "explores the ancient concept of competition, one month before the grand hosting of the Games in Athens." Karamanlis was given a tour of the exhibition by Kaltsas. Two hundred and thirty four works of antiquity, not only from Greece but from museums of Europe and America comprise the unique exhibition on the occasion of the Olympic Games. Many works come from 18 museums from abroad, among them the Metropolitan Museum of New York. [02] US Senate subcommittee asserts that Greece and partners doing utmost in Olympic security issuesWASHINGTON 16/7/2004 (ANA/A.Ellis)"The governments of Greece, the US and other countries are doing their best in order to ensure successful and safe Games for athletes and spectators," John E. Sununu, Senator of New Hampshire and President of the Senate Subcommittee on "foreign operations and terrorism" said on Thursday after being briefed by US Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller."As the day approaches for the Olympic Games to begin, we will continue to watch security preparations closely," Sununu said. [03] Pentagon spokesman says Greece is taking its responsibility for Olympic security seriouslyWASHINGTON 16/7/2004 (ANA - A. Ellis)Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita on Thursday said the Greek government was aware of its responsibilities regarding the security of the Olympic Games and taking them seriously, when asked to comment on statements by NATO officials regarding delays in testing the security measures for the Games.He also noted that the threat of a terrorist strike existed and concerned a number of events organized every year. "I am not in a position to talk about specific information regarding the Greek Olympics but I know that the Greek government is taking its responsibilities seriously in an international environment such as it now faces," Di Rita said. Asked whether the United States might act unilaterally if the conditions demanded, Di Rita said only that the U.S. was always ready to act to defend its national interests and American citizens throughout the world. A NATO official present at the briefing said that there were currently few specific agreements and specific offers of forces because negotiations between NATO and the Greek government sere still continuing. Voulgarakis comments on Pentagon spokesman's statements on Olympic security "It is well known that Greece has done everything humanly possible for the Olympic Games to be held in a safe and peaceful setting," Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said on Thursday in response to journalists' questions regarding earlier comments made by Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita. "I have repeatedly stated and it has been made clear to everyone that only Greek authorities are responsible for Olympic Games security and they have been working systematically towards this goal ever since Greece was elected to host the Olympic Games," Voulgarakis emphasized. Earlier on Thursday, Di Rita was asked by journalists whether the United States might act unilaterally if the conditions demanded. According to the Pentagon spokesman, the US is always ready to act to defend its national interests and American citizens throughout the world. The Communist Party of Greece also reacted strongly to Di Rita's response, issuing the following statement: "It is well known that the US, with the 'go-ahead' of the governments of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) and New Democracy (ND), has control over the Olympic Games. However, what's new and provocative about the Pentagon spokesman's comments is that if necessary, the US will intervene unilaterally with military forces during the Olympic Games in order to protect US citizens! This statement goes beyond any previous provocative statement, a fact which calls for Greek people to stay alert and to express with every possible means their strong opposition." [04] White House announces 'presidential delegation' to attend Athens GamesWASHINGTON (ANA/A.Ellis)White House spokesman Scott McClellan during Thursday's regular press briefing announced the official "presidential delegation" which the White House decided will represent the US at the 2004 Athens Games. Former President George Bush will head the delegation; members of the delegation will be his wife Barbara Bush, US Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller, Barbara and Jenna Bush (daughters of George W. Bush), tennis player Chris Evert, owner of the San Diego Chargers Alex Spanos and his wife Faye. [05] State Dept. denies rumors of moving 2004 Olympics to SydneyWASHINGTON 16/7/2004 (ANA/A.Ellis)Asked to comment on a "New York Post" article which reported that the 2004 Athens Games would be moved to Sydney at the last minute, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said he had never heard of such a possibility.[06] Public Order Minister briefs EU ambassadors on Olympic securityAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis briefed EU ambassadors on Olympic Games security-related issues during a working lunch that was held on Thursday at the residence of Dutch Ambassador to Greece Paul Brouwer.Specifically, Voulgarakis informed the ambassadors on the following issues: - protection of officials and members of sports delegations - venue security - transportation security - airport security - security in the cities - information management and evaluation of threats - general security issues [07] US State Dept. clarifies extent of financial aid to Turkish CypriotsWASHINGTON 16/7/2004 (ANA)The US will extend $30.5 million dollars in financial aid to occupied northern Cyprus, according to a recent report issued by the State Department. The aid package will be part of the "Cyprus Partnership for Economic Growth" program, which aims to assist in the development of the Turkish Cypriot community as well as to promote the unification of the Turkish-occupied north and the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.The US State Department stressed that this money would be used by the Turkish Cypriots to help them bear the costs of a possible re-unification of the island and to help bring the occupied north in line with EU standards of living. Small to medium-sized Turkish-Cypriot businesses as well as reform of the financial sector will be the main targets of the aid. The State Department has added assurances that all activities related to this aid will be transparent, whereas the measure in no way signifies a change in US policy concerning the status of the Turkish-occupied north. [08] New round of exploratory contacts between Greece and TurkeyAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)The 26th round of exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey was held at the Greek Foreign Ministry on Thursday.The head of the Greek delegation was Ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis, while the Turkish Foreign Ministry was represented by Alternate Foreign Minister Ugur Ziyal. [09] Finmin briefs Parliament's Committee on ECOFIN council recommendation to GreeceAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Thursday briefed Parliament's Economic and European Affairs Committee on the recommendation made to Greece to reduce the excessive public deficit of 2003 by the European Union's ECOFIN Council on July 5.The minister said the recommendation to Greece had not been extensively discussed because the text of the recommendation had been agreed on. This called on Greece to make efforts for the remainder of 2004 and 2005 to reduce the deficit, adjusting this downward by 1 per cent of GDP over the two years. He said the Greek government had been given until November 5 to announce the actions it would take in order to achieve this. According to the minister, this date in any case coincided with the government's plans since it would have to present the draft budget for 2005 to Parliament by the beginning of October. [10] Government brainstorms with tourist industry on how to increase tourism to GreeceAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)A series of brain-storming sessions involving government ministers and the tourist industry were held at the foreign ministry to discuss ways in which it could best help increase the flow of tourist traffic to Greece and how coordinate the actions of the foreign and tourism ministries.The meetings were held on Wednesday afternoon with the participation of all government ministries involved, including those of finance, health and public order, and with the presidents of the Hellenic Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies (HATTA), the Union of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE), and the Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises. The meeting noted the need to appoint extra staff to consulates where there was a high demand for visas, set up consulates in new and dynamic markets for tourism, such as China, and immediately take disciplinary and legal action in cases where foreign ministry inspections showed beyond doubt that illegal visas had been issued. Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis underlined the ministry's determination to stamp out corruption in the issue of visas, which had a negative impact on tourism. [11] Greek GDP growth for the first trimester of 2004 highest in EU at 2.9 per centBRUSSELS 16/7/2004 (ANA - T. Kyrkos)At 2.9 per cent, Greece had the highest rate of GDP growth in the European Union during the first three months of 2004 relative to the last quarter of 2003, according to figures released on Thursday by the EU statistics agency Eurostat.By contrast, GDP growth in the Eurozone for the same period was just 0.6 per cent while the highest GDP growth rate after Greece among the 25 EU member-states was in Lithuania with 1.4 per cent, Estonia with 1.2 per cent and France with 0.8 per cent. GDP growth relative to the first trimester of 2003 for Greece stood at 4 per cent, while that in the Eurozone was 1.3 per cent and for the EU as a whole it was 1.7 per cent. [12] EU asks Greece to scrap fuel regulationBRUSSELS 16/7/2004 (ANA/M Spinthourakis)The European Union's executive Commission on Thursday asked Greece to scrap regulations that make it mandatory for industries and business installations mainly in Attica to switch from liquid fuel to natural gas.The Commission said in a statement that the move was unjustified, and resulted in a situation that was tantamount to import quotas on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The regulations in the Greek market acted as a deterrent to imports from other EU member states, the Commission said in statement. The request came in the form of a reasoned opinion. [13] Greek EU commissioner welcomes social policy moveBRUSSELS 16/7/2004 (ANA/A Simatos)The European Union's social policy and employment commissioner, Stavros Dimas, on Thursday welcomed the adoption of funding proposals for the sector by the executive Commission."These initiatives are linked to tough challenges faced by people in their daily lives, such as joblessness, poverty and discrimination," Dimas, Greece's Commissioner, said in the Belgian capital. "Europe can make the difference by placing emphasis on these issues and reinforcing the ability of national governments to tackle them more effectively," he added. The proposals adopted means that the new European Social Fund for 2007-2013 will combine funding with appropriate policies to boost employment and strengthen economic and social cohesion. [14] Liapis attends conference in Sofia on transport in southeastern EuropeAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis had a series of contacts with his counterparts from Balkan countries on the sidelines of the Ministerial Conference on Transport in Southeastern Europe which was held on Thursday in Sofia with the participation of 17 transport ministers of southeastern Europe.Specifically, Liapis held successive meetings with his counterparts from Bulgaria, Romania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Serbia with whom he agreed the speeding up of work for the upgrading of the road and railway axes which will link Thessaloniki with Sofia and Bucharest, as well as with Skopje and Belgrade. The development of these axes, in combination with the Thessaloniki-Istanbul axis which has already been agreed and is being jointly implemented with the Turkish side, will render Thessaloniki as a significant transport hub in the region of southeastern Europe, both for goods and passengers. Speaking at the conference, the Greek minister, who was the main speaker, asked of his 17 counterparts to commit themselves for the allotment of national funds to the tune of 1.5-2 percent of the Gross National Product for the financing of the necessary works. [15] JP Morgan sees Greek banks showing good fundamentalsAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Greek banks are showing good fundamentals in terms of strong revenue growth, cost controls and improved profitability within the framework of a healthy economy, JP Morgan said in a market report on Thursday.In addition, Greek banks have the strongest loans growth rate in Europe, and much leeway for growth in retail business, the report said. JP Morgan's target price for National Bank of Greece is 24 euros; for Alpha Bank also 24 euros; for EFG Eurobank Ergasias 22 euros; Bank of Piraeus 12.5 euros; and for Emporiki Bank 22 euros. Its recommendation for National, Alpha Eurobank and Piraeus is overweight, and for Emporiki, underweight. The report added that the Greek banking market is highly concentrated with six banks holding 80 percent of business, and no pressure from banks abroad. [16] Newspaper owners reject reasons given by press unions for new 48-hour strikeAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)The Union of Owners of Daily Newspapers (EIHEA) in an announcement on Thursday rejected the reasons given by the cooperating Unions in the sector of the Press for the hew 48-hour strike declared from 08.00 Friday, at the same time calling on the Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) to a new meeting next week on a day which will be jointly agreed on.Particularly, EIHEA, commenting on the reference of the cooperating Unions in the sector of the Press of "an intransigent stance by the employers," said in an announcement that this was ''inaccurate'', given that, as it noted, the newspapers are finally offering an increase of 5.11 percent, but the offer was rejected without a counter-proposal. [17] EU asks Greece to harmonize law on bakery productsBRUSSELS 16/7/2004 (ANA/M Spinthourakis)The European Union's executive Commission on Thursday asked Greece to harmonize its legislation on partially pre-baked breads and related products.Current regulations in the Greek market acted as a deterrent to imports from other EU member states, the Commission said in statement. The request came in the form of a reasoned opinion. [18] Stocks inch up in range bound tradeAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Stocks finished marginally higher on Thursday as the market continued the past week's pattern of moving within a range of ten points, traders said.The Athens general share index closed at 2,334.56 points, showing a rise of 0.11 per cent. Turnover was 106.1 million euros. The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.26 per cent up, reflecting increased interest in banking stock; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.32 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.98 per cent down. Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 199 to 80 with 70 remaining unchanged. [19] Gov't announces special traffic measures for Olympic periodAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)The government on Thursday announced the special traffic measures that will apply in August, when the Olympic Games will take place in Athens, after a meeting of all government ministers involved and the leadership of the Olympics organizing committee ATHOC.Announcing the measures, Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis said these were designed to allow the athletes, their support teams and others directly involved with the Games to move around without problems but also to assist in the smooth flow of traffic and reduce problems for local residents during the Games. He asked Athens residents for their patience and understanding, inviting them to prefer public transport over their cars for moving around the capital, which he said would be quicker for them and also help make the Olympics better and safer. Among the measures decided was the extension of traffic restrictions in the inner-city ring using the odds-evens system (where cars with odd and even number plates are allowed to enter on alternate days) throughout August. In addition, restrictions will also begin in the 'Olympic perimeter' - a zone surrounding the main Olympic facilities - from August 1. The measures will include an Olympic lane reserved for athletes and others directly involved with the Games on Marathonos Avenue, while Public Works Minister George Souflias will also look into the possibility of an Olympic lane on the Vari-Koropi Avenue. The meeting also discussed the signposting of the greater Athens area and efforts underway to spruce up Olympic routes and other areas of the city before the Games. [20] Archbishop Christodoulos invites Orthodox Church leaders to attend Olympic GamesAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, in collaboration with the head of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, on Thursday sent invitations to the leaders of Orthodox Churches around the world to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games taking place in Athens in August 13.Invitations have been sent out to Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Alexandria Patriarch Petros, Antioch Patriarch Ignatius, Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos, the Archbishop of Albanian Anastasios and Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos. Archbishop Chrysostomos is currently unwell and will probably be represented by the Metropolitan of Paphos. [21] Performance of classical drama 'trilogy' cancelled after one contributor pulls outAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)The scheduled performance of the classical dramas "Trojan Women", "Hecuba" and "Agamemnon" as a unified trilogy, due to be staged during the Olympic Games, has been cancelled after one of the contributors decided to pull out of the project.According to actress Irene Papa, 'Fundacion C.V. Ciudad de las Artes Escenicas' of Valencia in Spain decided to withdraw its contribution from the trilogy on July 1, at a late stage in the preparations, and the trilogy could therefore not be staged as a unified entity. The other two plays were to be performed by the Italian 'La Scuola di Roma per le Arti Sceniche' and the Athenian "Centre of the Performance Arts and Spectacle". [22] Arrests continue following massive high seas cocaine bustAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Three out of 10 men implicated in an international drug smuggling ring reportedly behind a massive shipment of cocaine seized off Gibraltar this week will appear in court on Friday.Five tons of cocaine were discovered aboard the Belize-registered trawler 'Africa 1' by Spanish customs agents after being tipped off by Greek authorities. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was also involved in the bust, which took place approximately 100 kilometers from the SW coast of Spain. The crew of the vessel, five Greek nationals and one Italian, were detained, followed by further arrests in Greece. Those detained in Greece are: Apostolos Bousios, 28, Nikolaos Gavrilis 44, and Georgios Maragoudakis 57. Police are still searching for the alleged mastermind behind the drug ring, Alexandros Angelopoulos, 40, a northern Greece businessman and football club owner as well as his close associate, Nikolaos Antonakakis, 48. Both men are believed to be in Belgium. According to reports, Angelpoulos purchased the vessel at the beginning of May with the intention of sailing from Piraeus to Turkey. However, the vessel was soon put under surveillance and it was discovered to have changed course and headed towards the Atlantic. The vessel loaded the cocaine in Brazil and headed towards Spain, authorities said. Police have seized bank accounts and are investigating alleged money-laundering activities relating to the arrests. [23] Interior ministry tables bill on public-sector hiring and promotion systemAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)The interior ministry on Thursday tabled a bill regulating the system for hiring new staff and promotions in the public sector and other related issues. The changes aim to simplify the system and speed up the finalization of successful candidates and also increased the number of positions set aside for members of large families and repatriated Greeks.The new bill also limits the ability of local authorities to clog up the system with proclamations for single positions and makes changes related to the National Centre of Public Administration and Local Government and the system of selecting supervisors and department heads in the civil service. [24] Weak tremors reported in N. GreeceAthens, 16/7/2004 (ANA)Two small earthquakes, 4 and 3.9 on the Richter scale, were reported in northern Greece over the early morning hours on Thursday.The tremors, at 3:40 a.m. and 7:10 a.m., respectively, were centered south of Lake Volvi, an area east of the major port city of Thessaloniki, according to the Geophysical Lab at the city's Aristotelian University. No damages or injuries were reported. [25] Cyprus to present proposals for confidence building measuresNICOSIA 16/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)The Cyprus Government will present on Friday its proposals for the military and other relevant confidence building measures, submitted to the United Nations and the European Union.An official press release said here Thursday the presentation will take place during a press conference on Friday at the Presidential Palace. During the press conference Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides will make an introductory statement. The Director of the President's Diplomatic Office Tasos Tzionis will explain the policy and the political importance of the measures. National Guard Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Fivos Klokaris will speak about the military importance of the measures. US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs to visit Cyprus NICOSIA 16/7/2004 (CNA)US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Laura Kennedy arrives in Cyprus on July 21 to hold consultations on the Cyprus problem with Cypriot officials.A US embassy source told CNA on Thursday Kennedy, who will be staying on the island for 3-4 days, ''will be having discussions on Cyprus and relevant bilateral issues with the government of Cyprus.'' No details were given on her visit program. The same source said the US official will visit Turkey before coming to Cyprus. Asked about a visit to Greece, the source said due to preparations for the Olympic Games in Athens, next month, Kennedy will not, at present, seek for any meetings in the Greek capital. She will travel to Athens at a later date. Asked if Kennedy comes to Cyprus as an emissary of Secretary of State Colin Powell, the US embassy source said Kennedy ''is a Special Cyprus Coordinator replacing Ambassador (Thomas) Weston.'' [26] Cyprus FM: We did not veto Turkey's OSCE presidency bidNICOSIA 16/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus did not veto Turkey's request to assume the Presidency of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2007, but it could not support a country, which does not fulfill its own obligations towards the organization of which it aspires to become President, Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou said here on Thursday.Iacovou who was commenting on a report in a Cypriot daily that Cyprus vetoed Turkish request to assume the OSCE's Presidency in 2007, said that Turkey withdrew its request after a veto exerted by Armenia and due to the lack of unanimity among member states. Iacovou also said that since 1975 Turkey has followed a ''hostile stance against Cyprus blocking the country many times from accession, for instance, to the Open Skies Treaty while it denied fulfilling its obligations towards Cyprus. ''While Cyprus faithfully followed every OSCE directive, Turkey did not follow any'', the Cypriot minister noted. ''Therefore we expressed the view that we do not want to block Turkey but on the other hand we cannot support a country, which does not fulfill its own obligations towards the organization of which it aspires to become President'', Iacovou said. The foreign minister also revealed that Armenia notified the OSCE Secretariat that it would veto Turkey's request to assume the organization's presidency, noting that the Armenian foreign minister has told him so during his recent visit to Cyprus. ''There were various consultations and the Dutch EU Presidency notified us that there was no unanimity regarding Turkey's request to assume the Presidency'', Iacovou said, adding that this led Turkey to withdraw its candidature. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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