Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM, addressing ND congress, says cohesive policy on return of Greeks' capital from abroad to be announced soon

[02] PASOK leader says Greece experiencing since 1974 longest period of political stability

[03] Communist Party of Greece makes announcement on anniversary of restoration of democracy

[04] US State Department spokesman says Greek and other anarchist groups might attempt to create disturbances during Olympic Games

[05] Public Order Minister Voulgarakis briefs PASOK coordinator Papadopoulos on Olympic Games security

[06] Transport minister sends condolences over tragic train accident in Turkey

[07] Gov't to submit amendment on penalty rates to parliament

[08] Greek shipowners reject govt proposal for a 3.5 pct rise in fares

[09] Stocks rise in rebound

[10] Olympics security airship carries out first flight above Athens

[11] New metro station in Halandri begins operating on Saturday

[12] Athens mayor and interior minister discuss National Garden, municipal police

[13] Piraeus prefecture calls for end to works at Marina Zeas after antiquities found

[14] Turkish brothers charged with murder of Greek businessman in Istanbul

[15] Iacovou says Cyprus satisfied with COREPER decision

[16] State Department coordinator: I did not come with new initiatives for Cyprus

[17] Britain and Greece continue work for Cyprus' reunification

[01] PM, addressing ND congress, says cohesive policy on return of Greeks' capital from abroad to be announced soon

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis also announced that unfavorable registration in "Tiresia" will be reduced for two or three years for those who have paid off their obligations and presented the basic framework concerning arrangement regarding overdue loan penalty rates, which contains very favorable terms for farmers.

The prime minister said that farmers will pay double the initial capital for loans concluded after 1990, while for those concerning the previous period the arrangement is even more favorable with payment amounting to one-and-a-half times the initial capital.

As regards other people who have received loans, Karamanlis said their payments cannot exceed triple the amount of the initial capital.

Elaborating on the party's politics, Karamanlis said "we are the party of the middle sector and we express the modern conception of the social centre."

He said the party invests in social consensus and promotes national understanding, explaining that this modern conception means support for the financially weaker, social sensitivity, a policy with a human image, the absence of arrogance, humility in the new governance and an economic policy making the country more creative and competitive.

"We are placing our seal on the new era which must be a period of unity, consensus, social cohesion and progress for all citizens," he said.

He further said ND's target is to strengthen social alliance which, as he said, constitutes a navigator on the path it has chosen.

"Phenomena of haughtiness and arrogance have no place with us. We shall turn our commitments into practice. The promise we have given is valid in full. We are determined to achieve our targets and to unlock the future," the prime minister said.

Karamanlis further noted "we shall not bargain with principles and values and we shall not water down our wine. It is a principle and a commitment of honor."

Referring to his personal vision for the country, Karamanlis said "I did not choose politics to manage posts. I chose to serve politics in order to serve our party and our country."

He added that his vision is for a strong and prosperous Greece, with jobs for all, strong and safe citizens, a just society, quality in public life and a Greece which shall be a force of peace, stability and security.

"It is a vision based on the concepts of trust, justice and social responsibility which requires cooperation, collectiveness and composition," he added.

Karamanlis also said the party's conceptions are socially liberal and that the target of the economy is to reorganize and revive the country's economic fiber so that productivity and merit shall be rewarded and honest work shall be profitable.

The prime minister also stressed that education and culture have top priority for the government because they are the cohesive fiber of society and the best guarantee for a just society and a just future.

"We are doing well. Much better than was expected in the face of such a heavy heritage and such adverse conditions," Karamanlis concluded, adding that "a much greater effort is necessary for the better."

Former foreign minister Antonis Samaras attended the congress for the first time in 12 years and was met with mixed feelings by delegates.

According to reports, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis will depend her candidacy for the Political Council on the Central Committee's composition, the constitutional clause to be ratified on its role and composition and, mainly, on who will be declaring themselves candidates.

The congress completed its session for Friday and will convene again at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. It will come to an end on Sunday afternoon with the election of the Central Committee's 150 members.

PM arrives at ND congress, while party secretary general says congress 'celebration of democracy': Prime Minister and ruling New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis received a warm welcome by 5,200 delegates on his arrival at the party's 6th congress on Friday evening.

Former French president Valery Giscard D'Estaing and former Belgian prime minister Wilfred Martens, who were both invited to the congress, were welcomed by ND's Central Committee President Vangelis Meimarakis.

Inaugurating the congress, Meimarakis termed the congress "a celebration of democracy", adding that "the heart of ND is beating here."

Meimarakis outlined the party's historic course, described the party's milestones, spoke of the party's leaders so far and paid homage to ND's founder, the late statesman Constantine Karamanlis.

"The party is ready today to meet the challenges of the times and it has already adjusted itself to the new circumstances and the role it is being called on to play," Meimarakis said.

Giscard D'Estaing, who was enthusiastically welcomed by delegates, opened and closed his address by speaking in Greek.

"I hail all of you and all of you in particular because Greece and Europe were born here. New Democracy's victory was a great event for Europe," the former French president said in Greek.

D'Estaing said that while in the past Greece needed Europe, with present-day challenges Europe needs Greece, adding that the country must approach the nucleus of member-states now, as was the desire of ND's founder and of his friend Constantine Karamanlis.

He also called on Prime Minister Karamanlis to have Greece be the first country to ratify the new European constitution.

Former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis and former ND president Miltiades Evert will not be attending the congress, while former prime ministers George Rallis and Tzannis Tzannetakis are present.

Prime Minister Karamanlis will be addressing the congress later in the evening.

Athens Mayor opens 6th New Democracy congress, says Athens ready for Olympics: Opening New Democracy's 6th Congress on Friday as mayor of the city that will host the Olympic Games, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis underlined the changes and improvements taking place in the capital and stressed that the city was ready to meet the challenge of the Olympic Games and restore the "Greek message to this great celebration, that which unites culture and sports".

According to Bakoyannis, Athens was becoming more beautiful, acquiring infrastructure and ensuring better living conditions, while in 21 days Greece would show that it was capable of achieving targets that only large countries had achieved heretofore.

"We can look forward with confidence in ourselves. We dare, we progress, we create. The Olympic Games in Athens will make all Greeks and philhellenes around the world proud," she said.

Bakoyannis noted that the ND congress was taking place in a climate of euphoria after two election victories that put ND in government and made Costas Karamanlis prime minister, having gained the trust of the Greek people.

"The victory was a great personal triumph of the president of the party, which led the party to a triumphant percentage and established ND's political superiority on all levels," she said.

The size of the victory also determined the degree of responsibility, she added, and stressed the symbolism of the date chosen for the congress, which coincided with the 30th anniversary since democracy had been restored to Greece.

"Our party, with Constantine Karamanlis as its leader, established the best democracy this country has every known and set the foundations for the country's European orientation, clearly defined New Democracy's profile as the party extending across a broad political space, from the traditional right to the moderate left, and abolished the divisions of the Civil War," she said.

The party was now called on to begin a new historic cycle in the political life of the country, to lead it to a new era of national confidence and end the chapter of pettiness and modest goals, she added.

Closing, Bakoyannis said the ND congress was not just an opportunity to celebrate victory but to make substantial progress in making the party more modern and democratic, define the relations between party and government and begin a cycle of regeneration for Greece.

EPP president, addressing ND's 6th congress, praises hosting of Olympic Games: European People's Party (EPP) President Wilfred Martens, addressing the ruling New Democracy party's 6th congress in Athens on Friday night, opened his address with the phrase " we are champions now" and compared ND's recent two election victories in national and European elections with Greece's national soccer team which won the 2004 European Soccer Championship.

Martens praised the hosting of the Olympic Games by Greece, as well as the activities of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in the EPP.

He said Greece is indeed on a different path today, adding that "we are expecting it to assume its new role with a more considerable contribution to European procedures."

Martens referred to ND's determination to overcome the dividing lines of the past and to reconcile all political forces which, as he said, creates a new political culture.

He also said the policy against corruption, arrogance and decline followed by ND can guarantee a strong state.

[02] PASOK leader says Greece experiencing since 1974 longest period of political stability

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

He said this is "an achievement for the Greek people which is the result of hard struggles for democracy and freedom. We have the historic obligation to remember and honor the thousands of fighters who gave even their lives for democracy, independence and social liberation."

Papandreou also said Greece emerged from the adventure of post-war authoritarianism and from the dissension of society and of dictatorship, weakened politically and economically, isolated from Europe and harmed by the tragedy and occupation of Cyprus.

"Today, Greece is an equal partner in the European Union and the international community, without the phobias and syndromes of the past and it is a factor of peace, stability and cooperation. Our country has changed. It has modern infrastructures and it is in a position to host and successfully carry out a global sports and cultural undertaking, as the Olympic Games are," he added.

[03] Communist Party of Greece makes announcement on anniversary of restoration of democracy

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

The announcement further says "the struggles of the popular movement against the military dictatorship and those which followed over the 30 years since it downfall cannot compromise with the Schengen Treaty, the creation of electronic and biometric files, the agreements for police cooperation, judicial assistance and the extradition of suspects from our country to the United States, with anti-terrorism laws and the dealing of blows at the popular movement's mobilizations which questions this policy and its anti-popular and undemocratic measures."

It concluded by saying that the greatest honor for those who struggled against the military dictatorship and for the struggles that followed is "the intensification of the effort to create an Anti-Imperialist and Anti-Monopoly Democratic Front which constitutes the path to popular power and a wider and more substantive democracy for the majority of the people, the working class and popular classes."

[04] US State Department spokesman says Greek and other anarchist groups might attempt to create disturbances during Olympic Games

WASHINGTON 24/7/2004 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Replying to a relevant question, Boucher said the authorities are not monitoring communications but are aware of discussions taking place in such circles, either in public or on the Internet.

Boucher added that for this reason they consider vigilance to be necessary against such an eventuality as the Games draw near.

[05] Public Order Minister Voulgarakis briefs PASOK coordinator Papadopoulos on Olympic Games security

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

Voulgarakis expressed his satisfaction during the meeting on the stance maintained by PASOK leader George Papandreou and by the main opposition party which thus creates a suitable security environment for the Olympic Games.

Voulgarakis termed the period as particularly crucial and Papandreou's contribution as significant, noting that further briefings between the two sides will follow and not only on the Olympic Games.

On his part, Papadopoulos said that the briefing was full and useful for the security program which had started when PASOK was in power and is already being implemented. He expressed certainty that the Olympic Games will take place with complete security.

Present at the meeting was also the leadership of the Greek Police which Papadopoulos thanked for its contribution in the effort of the Olympic Games.

[06] Transport minister sends condolences over tragic train accident in Turkey

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

Liapis expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and his unstinting support and the Greek government's readiness to provide any help needed.

[07] Gov't to submit amendment on penalty rates to parliament

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

According to ministry sources, the new law will freeze all auctions against debtors by the end of 2004 and offer favorable debt settlement to farmers.

Under the solution sought by the government, final settlement of such debt should be exceed three times the initial capital, while for older farm loans (signed after 1990), final settlement should not exceed two times the initial capital. For farm loans signed before 1990, final debt will not exceed 1.5 times the initial capital.

For borrowers with an initial loan capital of more than 2.2 million euros, the new law envisages a private settlement with banks and a freeze in all auctions by the end of the year.

The legislation also envisages that banks that will not accept the government sponsored settlement will not be able to proceed with auctions of borrowers' assets.

[08] Greek shipowners reject govt proposal for a 3.5 pct rise in fares

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, Stelios Sarris, the Union of Coastal Shipping Owners' chairman, said that the government has failed - so far - to implement its pre-election pledges and accused the government of continuing a policy of state intervention in the market.

Sarris stressed that Greek coastal shipping owners remained steadfast in their position that the government's actions were breaching European laws and directives and said that a ministerial decision for a 3.5 percent increase in fares was a sham.

[09] Stocks rise in rebound

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at the day's high of 2,322.39 points, showing a rise of 0.25 per cent. Turnover was 70.9 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.25 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.09 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.90 per cent up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 212 to 85 with 51 remaining unchanged.

[10] Olympics security airship carries out first flight above Athens

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

The airship is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will aid communications between the Olympic Security Operations Centre, security staff guarding Olympic facilities and vehicles on the ground, especially those carrying VIPs and their personal security teams. It also has the capability to transmit photographs of the ground below it to the operations centre.

The airship was shown to reporters on Thursday by its Swiss manufacturers and police officers and will begin regular flights in August.

Friday's flight began at 6:30 in the morning and was manned by five police officers who are specially trained in the airship's use.

Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis later said he was satisfied with the level of skill acquired by the officers that will fly the "Phoebus" and said it would allow the maximum and safest possible communication between the officers in the air and their colleagues at the operations centre.

[11] New metro station in Halandri begins operating on Saturday

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

The station was inspected by Public Works Minister George Souflias, who said it would play a key role in the development of the area and announced that decisions will soon be made regarding the construction of a station at Aghia Paraskevi.

The next station along the route, Doukissis Plakentias, is due to be delivered by next Wednesday, while the metro will run all the way to the airport by the end of next week and is expected to carry out the journey much faster than the modes of transport currently available. Estimated travel times are around 37 minutes from Monastiraki to the airport, which the journey from Syntagma to Doukissis Plakentias will take just 15 minutes.

The two new stations will also provide parking spaces for commuters, with 240 places in Halandri and 340 at Doukissis Plakentias.

[12] Athens mayor and interior minister discuss National Garden, municipal police

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

Bakoyannis later noted that the National Garden was the largest monument within the city and an environmental asset but had been allowed to fall into neglect through years of problem policies.

"Coordinated efforts are needed in order to maintain and restore it to its former beauty," the mayor stressed.

Regarding the municipal police force, Bakoyannis said its officers would be ready to go out onto the streets from next week, after they had completed their training. Certain organizational problems remained that would be solved in coordination with the interior ministry in order to make the force effective, she added.

Pavlopoulos said the decision to hand over management of the National Garden to the Athens municipality as the natural body to manage the Garden was finalized. He also underlined that the ministry would ensure that the Athens municipal police force had the infrastructure it needed to operate efficiently:

"We will not continue the policy of the past, where institutions were set up then left to their fate," he said.

[13] Piraeus prefecture calls for end to works at Marina Zeas after antiquities found

Athens, 24/7/2004 (ANA)

The local authority said the first finds published indicate a major archaeological discovery and that this had confirmed earlier concerns and objections regarding projects in an archaeological area.

[14] Turkish brothers charged with murder of Greek businessman in Istanbul

ISTANBUL 24/7/2004 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The three brothers are well-known figures of the Turkish underworld and are accused of killing Papadopoulos in Istanbul on Monday during an abortive attempt to kill another man, whom their bullets missed by millimeters.

Police believe Papadopoulos was the innocent victim of the settling of accounts and that the shots were destined for a man sitting next to him. The incident occurred on Monday night when a car pulled up next to that being used by the 32-year-old businessman and the other man and its occupants opened fire.

Papadopoulos' partner managed to duck just in time and the shots were lodged in the victim's abdomen. The entire scene was witnessed by the victim's father, who was riding behind him in another car, who also testified that the attack did not target his son but the business activities of the man riding next to him.

[15] Iacovou says Cyprus satisfied with COREPER decision

NICOSIA 24/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)

At the COREPER meeting, a representative of the EU Council's Legal Service said that the regulation adopted by the European Commission on direct trade of the EU countries with the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus entails legal problems, since the Commission's proposal cannot be based on article 133 of the Treaty because the occupied areas of Cyprus can not be deemed as a third country.

Iacovou said COREPER's decision to postpone for September any decision making on the Commission's regulations for the Turkish Cypriots ''opens a window of opportunity for the Republic of Cyprus to start consultations with European governments on the subject''.

The minister met on Friday with British High Commissioner in Nicosia and said that he would continue his meetings with other European governments, so that a consensus decision is taken during the COREPER meeting in September.

''Our stance is that our positions on the European Commission's regulations should be taken into consideration. This is a community method, which was supported by some EU governments yesterday,'' Iacovou said.

He added that the government is satisfied with the support Cyprus' positions gained on Thursday by some EU countries, as well as by the Legal Service of the EU Council.

The Permanent Representatives of the EU member states decided on Thursday to examine in early September the regulation adopted by the European Commission concerning the financial aid towards Turkish Cypriots amounting to 263.1 million euros.

They also decided that the second regulation adopted by the European Commission concerning direct trade of EU states with the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus would be referred for a final decision to the EU Council in October.

[16] State Department coordinator: I did not come with new initiatives for Cyprus

NICOSIA 24/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Noting once more her disappointment that the Annan Plan failed on the Greek Cypriot side, Kennedy said on Friday she was interested in hearing the government's views on the issue.

''We have talked a great deal about the central issue of Cyprus in the wake of the failure of the Annan plan in the referendum here. I did not come with new initiatives'', said Kennedy after her meetings with President Tassos Papadopoulos and Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

Kennedy, State Department's coordinator for Cyprus, was briefed on the Greek Cypriot side's positions about the failure of the Annan Plan for a settlement, said Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides on Friday.

Earlier Iacovou noted that Kennedy has reassured him that the US government is strongly opposing the recognition of any other state in Cyprus, apart from the Cyprus Republic.

The minister said that the US official has expressed her disappointment for the rejection of the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriot side, noting that the US expects the Greek Cypriot side to clarify its positions.

He said he explained to the US Coordinator that the Greek Cypriot side will submit its proposals once the deliberations of the president with the political parties are over.

In her statement Kennedy said that the agenda of her meetings in Cyprus also includes bilateral and multilateral issues, noting that the US welcomes cooperation with the Cyprus government on fighting terrorism.

''We discussed cooperation in proliferation security initiative, in which we are making progress with your government I am pleased to say,'' added Kennedy, noting that she also expects to be briefed on how the Cyprus government is combating trafficking of persons.

[17] Britain and Greece continue work for Cyprus' reunification

LONDON 24/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Plan, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has said.

Speaking after a meeting with his British counterpart Jack Straw, on Thursday in London, Molyviatis expressed his certainty ''a satisfactory solution will be found for the existing problems'' so that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots can enjoy a peaceful co-existance within the European Union.

The two foreign ministers discussed the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, the situation in Iraq, and whether there will be an agreement during the European Council in December for a date starting entry negotiations with Turkey and the preparations for the Olympic Games in Athens next month.

Straw praised efforts made by Greece and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries as regards the security measures, noting that British Premier Tony Blair is looking forward to the Games.

Answering a question whether it would be helpful for the aim of the solution to the Cyprus problem to make arrangements for the trade with the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus in a way which would involve both parts instead of having direct trade which encourages separation, Straw said: ''The (EU) General Affairs Council of the 26 April set out its position on the matter following the decisions by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in the referendum earlier that month. What now we have to do is to work through that position in the most successful possible way''.

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