Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou says PASOK's criticism from a 'government in waiting', gov't reaction

[02] PASOK leader Papandreou cites strategic prospects for Thessaloniki, backs Expo 2008 candidacy

[03] Greek FM in NYC this week for UN General Assembly; talks with US, Turkish counterparts scheduled

[04] KKE launches twin attack on two main parties, saying they have identical policy

[05] Socialist International calls for international intervention in Sudan at Athens meeting

[06] Greece reaps first two Paralympic medals, a gold and bronze, in swimming

[07] Paralympics 2004 - Organizers stress satisfaction with opening ceremony

[08] Paralympics 'second-biggest sporting event' after Olympics, U.S. State Department says

[09] 2004 Paralympics 'organizationally flawless', IOC chief says

[10] Ticket sales for Paralympic Games have already surpassed budget targets, organizers say

[11] European Year for Education through Sports marked by press conference in Athens:

[12] Canada donates Olympic Committee furniture to disabled children's charity:

[13] Event in Athens celebrates collective EU domination of Olympic medals in Athens

[14] President opens event marking European Day for Organ Donation and Transplants

[15] President, Archbishop attend 1000th anniversary celebration at Stagiades Monastery

[16] Archbishop Christodoulos awarded Ukraine's highest distinction

[17] Memorial service for victims of the Asia Minor catastrophe

[18] Floods, power cuts and minor accidents caused by heavy rain in Thessaloniki

[19] Makeshift bomb goes off in Athens seaside suburb of Voula

[20] Afghan national before public prosecutor for immigrant trafficking

[21] One man arrested following armed robbery of central Athens eatery

[22] Papadopoulos sees broad convergence of views on changes to UN plan

[01] Papandreou says PASOK's criticism from a 'government in waiting', gov't reaction

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

The main opposition leader traditionally gives a keynote address and attends a press conference one week after the prime minister inaugurates the annual trade fair -- the largest in Greece -- with his state-of-the-nation speech in Greece's large northern port city.

At one point, Papandreou, a former high-ranking minister in the previous Simitis governments, said PASOK would not allow the government to "lead the country back to the past", and that his party would protect the Greek people's vested interests.

Moreover, he noted that his statements were not simply from a main opposition party, but from a "government in waiting". Papandreou added that the current government is one of "diminishing expectations", one that are increasingly decreasing, in fact He also charged that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for his handling of Greek-Turkish relations, saying the latter "unconditionally surrendered the country's strongest negotiating advantage", a reference to Turkey's long-sought bid to begin accession negotiations with the European Union.

Papandreou said the Karamanlis government has proceeded with "extremely concerning" steps over the course of its six months in office, while juxtaposing his party's political proposal of emphasising a transition from infrastructure to content.

In centring on the economy, he likened government policy to that of a manager of a "dynamically developing business that instead of concentrating on the firm's further growth focuses on the deficiencies of his predecessor, thereby creating problems with the business."

He charged that the current ND government forgot its pre-election emphasis on "corruption", while pointing to the financial crimes unit (SDOE), saying the government is neither abolishing the unit nor allowing it to operate.

Gov't response: In a reply to Papandreou's comments from Saturday evening, government spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos referred to the "easy and irresponsible choice of danger-mongering".

"The first thing that the president of PASOK should do is to comprehend the Greek reality," Roussopoulos said.

He also noted that in his address from the same podium one week ago, PM Karamanlis "defined the strategy that will over-come impasses and solve problems accumulated by past governments; a strategy that safely leads to a Greece of excellence and effectiveness; of balanced development, convergence and social cohesion."

[02] PASOK leader Papandreou cites strategic prospects for Thessaloniki, backs Expo 2008 candidacy

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou was speaking during a wide-ranging press conference held on the sidelines of the annual Thessaloniki Inter-national Fair (TIF), the largest trade exhibition in the country that also unofficially serves as the beginning of the fall political season and the venue from where the prime minister and political leaders more-or-less unveil their strategy for the coming period.

Papandreou said both he and PASOK, as a whole, whole-heartedly back Thessaloniki's candidacy for Expo 2008, an effort he said began under a previous PASOK government.

As a deputy elected from a Thessaloniki-area voting precinct, the PASOK president said this connection with the northern port city now affords him the opportunity to focus more on issues affecting the city and its potential.

Conversely, in reply to a press question, he said he will not engage in a "bidding match" over who will do more for the city, calling instead for the government to implement its pre-election promises for the greater Thessaloniki area.

Earlier, Papandreou met with managements and board members of the TIF organization and Helexpo, the country's largest exhibition and congress organizer.

He was briefed on the results of this year's TIF -- attendance, number of exhibitors, revenue etc. -- as well as over the 2008 Expo candidacy, noting that 2004 is a transitional year for the country's largest trade exhibition because it has lost its monopoly on hosting such events in Greece. In terms of the Expo 2008 candidacy, he said he will exploit PASOK's and his personal contacts around the world so that Thessaloniki wins the event.

Finally, Papandreou toured several of the stands and pavilions at the 69th TIF.

Thessaloniki prefect sharply reacts to Papandreou statements: Thessaloniki Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis on Sunday charged that main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou failed to offer any criticism of his party's performance vis-a-vis development and public works in the country's second largest city of Thessaloniki.

Papandreou appeared at a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the annual Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) exhibition, where at one point he responded to a question regarding the city's prospects and future development.

Psomiadis, a former New Democracy deputy who won the prefect's post in the first round of local government elections two years ago, said Papandreou "could not find a word of self-criticism regarding Thessaloniki residents' question of why his (Papandreou) government turned its back on Thessaloniki and the provinces for the past 20 years."

He also expressed his displeasure at not being invited to sit at the main opposition leader's table, something he said protocol dictated in the past.

[03] Greek FM in NYC this week for UN General Assembly; talks with US, Turkish counterparts scheduled

New York, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis arrives in New York on Sunday, along with Deputy FMs Yiannis Valinakis and Evripidis Stylianidis, for talks and contacts on the sidelines of the 59th annual United Nations General Assembly. The Greek FM will also participate in talks with counterparts from the other 24 European Union member-states, as well as with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

In terms of contacts with the US side, diplomatic sources said that joint efforts to fight terrorism, Ankara's attempts to secure a firm date for EU accession talks, the Cyprus issue and related parameters as well as specific facets of Greek-American relations will be examined.

Molyviatis, who will address the UN General Assembly on Thursday, is expected to vigorously promote Greece's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2005-2006 period.

The Greek FM will meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul at the offices of Greece's permanent mission to the United Nations.

[04] KKE launches twin attack on two main parties, saying they have identical policy

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Papariga was even-handed in her criticism of both ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK in her address, saying that the elections in March had "changed the skipper but kept the vessel on the same course".

She stressed that ND's term could already be judged, since it had kept intact all the anti-working-class policies introduced by PASOK, while the main opposition was "not hitting ND where it hurts" because it neither could nor wanted to.

She urged workers to free themselves from the false ideologies of ND and PASOK and stressed that working class unity was a weapon for acquiring gains, even in today's difficult conditions.

Papariga said that KKE would seek to develop a social alliance between the working class, the lower classes and small to medium-size farm owners with anti-war, civil rights, environ-mental and cultural movements.

She said these issues and a wide range of political and organizational matters will be discussed at the KKE's upcoming 17th conference on February 9-12.

Communist party's 17th congress in

Feb.: The Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) central committee on Sunday announced that its 17th congress will take place between Feb. 9-12.

One of the primary topics of discussion, according to a press release, will be the party's course and its tasks for the strengthening of its ideological, political and organizational framework.

Delegations from communist and labor parties from around the world will be invited to the congress, according to KKE.

[05] Socialist International calls for international intervention in Sudan at Athens meeting

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

It also reiterated the need to re-launch peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and immediate reactivation of the Quartet for the implementation of the 'road map' to peace.

[06] Greece reaps first two Paralympic medals, a gold and bronze, in swimming

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Fast on its heels came a Greek bronze medal won by Ioannis Kostakis in the men's 100m freestyle S3 final, with a time of 1:55.79, a new Greek record. The gold in this event was won by Martin Kovar of the Czech Republic, with a time of 1:43.51 and the silver to Jian Ping Du of China.

The two athletes were both warmly congratulated on their medal-winning performances by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Sunday.

In statements after his victory, Taiganidis underlined the fantastic audience that had filled the Olympic Aquatic Centre, saying that he had not expected such a large and enthusiastic crowd.

"The public proved their love for the Paralympic Games. My goal is to beat the world record. I'm in very good shape and I can do it in my next event, which is on September 26," he said.

Bronze-medalist Kostakis also referred to the audience, saying it had helped him a great deal.

"To win a medal in your country is amazing," he said, noting that he was now very close to the Paralympic record.

[07] Paralympics 2004 - Organizers stress satisfaction with opening ceremony

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee chief Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said the ceremony had been a good start that had set the tone for what was to follow during the

Paralympic Games. The two directors of the ceremony said that they striven to imbue it with spirit and "human feeling", producing something that was on a human scale.

"Tonight was just the beginning. But what a beginning it was! The Opening Ceremony you saw this evening was great entertainment. But it was more: it was a reminder that imagination inspires us to do great things. The future belongs to people who dream.

"That is what we will see here in Athens - here at the Paralympic Games - over the next eleven days," Angelopoulos told reporters, stressing that Athens was proud to host the Paralympic Games.

The Athens 2004 chief also thanked all those involved; especially the hundreds of volunteers that helped make the ceremony possible.

Show producer Yves Pepin, also design and show director, underlined the different demands of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony:

"It's a different context, there is not the same time; it's a shorter time. One must make the show something that will remain memorable. This is a challenge, of course, to make it contain spirit, to fit with the conditions and make it on a human scale. The volunteers supported us, not only mentally with their enthusiasm, but also because they believed in what they were doing," he said.

The second design and show director, Martin Arnaud, stressed that the job had been made easier by the 'history' and the people they had had to work with:

"It was not easy with the time constraints to create a human feeling, but we worked with wonderful people: Apostolia Papadamaki, the choreographer, all the musicians from Greece and abroad, and everyone else. We achieved something close to the human scale. The last Paralympic Games' Opening Ceremony we saw was a parade, a show. We tried to show the human being, the human relations, to open our eyes, open our ears," he said.

Vicky Leandros and Marios Frangoulis, established Greek artists who sang during the opening ceremony, said that they were honored to participate in the ceremony for the Paralympic Games, along with its great athletes.

Leandros and Frangoulis joined Afroditi Simiti, Giannis Zouganelis and Sophia Roboli - the masters of the ceremony - and 3,000 volunteers in a superb spectacle around a 25-metre plane tree that dominated the centre of the stadium as a spectacular light show was used to symbolize the four basic elements (water, fire, earth and air).

[08] Paralympics 'second-biggest sporting event' after Olympics, U.S. State Department says

WASHINGTON, 20/9/2004 (ANA - A. Ellis)

"[The Paralympic Games] showcases the world's most elite athletes with physical challenges. It is our pleasure that Ambassador Tom Miller and his wife will be leading the official U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies, and hundreds of U.S. athletes will be competing in more than 20 sporting events," Ereli said during the daily press briefing.

[09] 2004 Paralympics 'organizationally flawless', IOC chief says

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

"For these athletes taking part, the truth is that they have gone beyond the natural limits. And I admire and respect them for this exceptional effort that they make," Rogge said.

[10] Ticket sales for Paralympic Games have already surpassed budget targets, organizers say

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

"So far we have sold 397,772 tickets. Only yesterday we sold 50,054 tickets. This means we have covered 112,5% of our budget target with a revenue of 5,502,795 euros. There are three types of tickets. One type of tickets is for the Opening and the Closing Ceremonies. The second category is the day passes. They are non day specific and provide access to all venues and sports for one day. The third category are the reserved seats tickets for the semifinals and finals which can be used also as a day pass for the day you choose to use it. The day passes work on a "first come first served basis," he said.

Simitsek noted that last night's opening ceremony had been sold out and had taken place in front of 51,945 spectators.

"The opening ceremony went very well and we are expecting a lot of people on the rest of the days as well," he added.

Simitsek said that 3,837 athletes from 136 countries will compete in 19 sports in 20 venues over the 10-day duration of the Paralympic Games and 519 medal ceremonies that he promised would be "particularly spectacular" and involve school children.

The Athens 2004 executive also stressed that great atmosphere created for the Paralympics by the Torch-lighting ceremony held nine days earlier at the temple of Hephaistos in the Thission area and the subsequent torch-relay through Attica, in which 405 torchbearers took part. Finally, Simitsek reported that Athens broke a record on Friday in the transportation of the athletes and officials to the opening ceremony: "We had 15 waves of 15 buses each, to transport 1,700 athletes with wheelchairs. The last bus reached the Paralympic Village only 2 hours after the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony. This is a record time for the return of the athletes. We broke another record as regards to the transportation of the officials back to their hotels which took only 20 minutes!" he said.

Similarly delighted with the opening ceremony was IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez, who told reporters at the press conference that it received glowing reports from the athletes and other participants.

"From the feedback we have had from our Paralympic family the Opening Ceremony yesterday was fantastic, it was really inspiring and exciting. There is no better way to start the Games. We are also very pleased by the number of spectators who attended the Ceremony and the attention not only of the Media but also from the heads of state and royalty that came for the first time to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games. This shows that interest in the Paralympics is growing.''

He also expressed satisfaction with the increasing participation of women, which had risen from 23 per cent at Sydney to 30 per cent in Athens.

According to IPC Communications Director Miriam Wilkens, meanwhile, there had been 120 doping tests carried out on the Paralympic athletes so far and none had tested positive.

[11] European Year for Education through Sports marked by press conference in Athens:

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

According to Price, Europe is currently carrying out a major campaign for sports and has handed out 6.5 million euros to 28 countries to promote various programmes. He stressed the need to encourage the public, especially young people with disabilities, to become involved in sports and participate.

Other speakers at the conference included the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee Chairman Nikolaos Sifounakis, who stressed the need for a clear legal basis for activities surrounding sport, saying that this basis did not now exist, and expressed hope that this would be included in the European Constitutional Treaty.

Other speakers at the conference included the Athens 2004 Olympics Organising Committee director for education and training, Constantinos Politis, who outlined the action taken by the Athens 2004 this area, MEP Doris Pak, who talked about efforts to include an article on sports in the European Constitution, as well as Dutch athlete Annette Roozen, a member of the EYES All-Star team, and Greek athlete Athanassios Kostaris, who talked about the benefits of sport for disabled athletes.

[12] Canada donates Olympic Committee furniture to disabled children's charity:

Canadian senator Joyce Fairburn, currently in Greece to attend the Paralympic Games in Athens, on Saturday paid a visit to the Hellenic Society for the Protection and Restitution of Disabled Children (ELEPAP), where she announced that the Canadian government had decided to donate furniture bought for the use of Canada's Olympic Committee during the 2004 Games to the charity.

Fairburn praised the athletes taking part in the Paralympics, saying they sent the world a message of optimism and encouraged young people with disabilities.

[13] Event in Athens celebrates collective EU domination of Olympic medals in Athens

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, who said that the EU flag might well be seen flying alongside the national flags at the next Olympics in Beijing. Event organisers stressed that the EU superiority in sports at the Athens Olympics had helped strengthen ties between its citizens and further improved its image in this area.

"The athletes from the 25 member-states of the EU proved easily that Europe is one the great world powers in sport," Valinakis said, noting that EU athletes had collectively won a total of 286 medals, against 103 for the United States and 63 for China.

Referring to the start of the Paralympic Games in Athens on Friday, meanwhile, the minister said they brought Europe and Greece, as the originator of the Games, back to the forefront.

Other speakers included Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli Petralia and Dutch State Secretary for Sport Clemence Ross-van Dorp, who both stressed that Europe multiplied its power when united, especially in sports.

[14] President opens event marking European Day for Organ Donation and Transplants

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

"I hope that it meets with a greater response from Greek citizens," the president added.

Shortly beforehand, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece officiated a memorial service for all organ donors, who afterward stressed that the Church was not opposed to science and considered the donation of organs the highest expression of love and self-sacrifice for one's neighbour.

Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis stressed the need to sensitise public opinion to the need for organ donation, stressing that it was the only cure for many terminal problems of the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys and that the latest generation of drugs made it increasingly effective.

The head of the National Transplant Organisation, Alkiviadis Kostakis, stressed the need for better staffing of transplant units and noted that the potential pool of organ donors was still greatly under-exploited.

He reported that at one hospital in the country, only 10 per cent of patients who died in the hospital became organ donors, even though 68 per cent were potential donors.

[15] President, Archbishop attend 1000th anniversary celebration at Stagiades Monastery

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Addressing the event, Archbishop Christodoulos referred particularly to the position of religion in the educational curriculum, saying that it had to regain "a strengthened humanist character".

"We are and have every right to be proud of our faith and our Church, of our philosophical upbringing and education and the achievements of the Greek-Christian spirit. There is no need to change or shift any of these. On the contrary, now that the world is undergoing cosmic-scale changes, nations find support in their traditions and roots. This is what we must do, if we don't want to become assimilated, uprooted and lost from the forefront of history," Christodoulos said.

His statements, however, did not meet the full agreement of the president:

"Permit me to say that I do not want to agree to a return to the roots but that our roots must always inspire us to extend our branches and make them grow," Stephanopoulos said.

[16] Archbishop Christodoulos awarded Ukraine's highest distinction

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Tabachnyk said that the Archbishop was the first head of Church to receive this award.

Christodoulos thanked the Ukrainian government for the great honour bestowed upon him, saying that it essentially honoured the Church of Greece and the Greek people, and referred to the bonds between the two countries based on the common Orthodox faith.

[17] Memorial service for victims of the Asia Minor catastrophe

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at a brief ceremony, Deputy Economy Minister Adam Regouzas called on Ankara to accept what the rest of the civilised world already recognises, namely, the genocide of 1922.

[18] Floods, power cuts and minor accidents caused by heavy rain in Thessaloniki

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

Water entered several ground-floor shops and basement apartments, while flooded roads were responsible for 35 minor accidents during the night and a failure of the traffic light system in the city centre.

There were also problems with power cuts, with some people trapped in elevators, while 5,500 spectators at an open-air concert had to be evacuated to safety due to the frequent lightning.

[19] Makeshift bomb goes off in Athens seaside suburb of Voula

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

The explosion was relatively weak and occurred at 4:20, while no group has yet claimed responsibility.

The device was made using about 150-200g of dynamite with a fuse and ordinary detonator that were exploded in the yard of a two-storey house inhabited by two businessmen.

Neither has any past history of involvement with the police and there is no evidence to suggest a motive for the attack, which police have put down as an attempt at intimidation.

[20] Afghan national before public prosecutor for immigrant trafficking

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

The Afghan's six-metre wooden boat was sighted near Samos early on Saturday and intercepted by a coast guard vessel, which found 10 Somalis and one Sierra Leone national without proper travel documents on board.

The 18-year-old Afghan told police he was transporting them to Samos from the nearby shores of Turkey.

The immigrants, eight women and three men, have been taken to a reception centre for illegal immigrants on the island.

[21] One man arrested following armed robbery of central Athens eatery

Athens, 20/9/2004 (ANA)

According to police reports, a pair of men robbed the owner of the restaurant at gunpoint of roughly 3,000 euros before attempting to flee on a motorbike.

Employees and patrons of the establishment gave chase and detained one of two men on the motorbike. The other suspect reportedly fled on foot.

Police reports state that a weapon fitting the description of the one used in the robbery and a sizeable amount of money were found on the arrested suspect.

No names were released by police, while a search is continuing for the second suspect.

[22] Papadopoulos sees broad convergence of views on changes to UN plan

Larnaca, 20/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking Saturday before leaving for New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly and have a series of meetings, he said that significant progress has been made on a European Union regulation to help financially the Turkish Cypriots, adding that EU members share his position that any move to assist the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots must comply with EU rules and regulations.

''I believe that there is a broad convergence of views among political parties,'' he said, when asked if National Council members have agreed on the necessary changes to the Annan plan.

The Council, comprising parliamentary parties, is the top advisory body to the president on the handling of the Cyprus question.

On a European Union regulation on financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots, he said significant progress has been achieved and reiterated the government's wish to help improve the standard of living of the Turkish Cypriots provided that this is in line with the acquis communautaire and it does not infringe on the legitimate rights of legal owners of property in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas.

''This is what we are trying to achieve and I believe that in this effort we have significant support from EU members,'' he added.

Responding to questions relating to developments in Turkey with regard to its accession course, he said ''Turkey has to prove that it is a democratic country, it allows free dialogue and it complies with the democratic norms an aspiring EU member should embrace.''

He said proposed amendments to Turkey's penal law, such as one providing for a jail sentence for those advocating withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus, are contrary to the image Ankara wants to present in Brussels.

He said Friday's Council meeting was ''useful'', adding that there was ''a lively discussion'' on the changes to the Annan plan different parties wish to push for, adding that the Council would draft its strategy according to developments with regard to Cyprus.

Papadopoulos was critical of leaks to the press about the content of the ''lively'' discussions and wondered whether there are forces that may want to undermine the Council, which he described as ''a very useful institution''.

He said it is a consultative body, he attaches great importance to the views expressed by participating parties but stressed that the government has the responsibility to handle the question of Cyprus.

He explained that hearing the views of Council members does not mean sharing state authority or obligatory adoption by the government of the views expressed by the parties.

While at the UN seat, President Papadopoulos will meet Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday and on the same day he will address the General Assembly. President Papadopoulos will also have meetings with other heads of state or government and there will be meetings with foreign ministers of other UN members as well.

Before returning to Cyprus around the 28 of September, he will pay a working visit to Belgium.

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