Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek candidacy for UN's Security Council seen favorably

[02] Parliament president meets with the IPC and HPC

[03] Inner cabinet discuss farm policy

[04] Deputy FM Valinakis confers with UN representative on FYROM name issue

[05] Greece, Cyprus, Turkey cancel annual autumn military maneuvers in gesture of good will - Athens, Ankara want to speed up improvement of relations

[06] Cyprus will not be left vulnerable, foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakos assures

[07] PASOK party begins procedures in light of congress

[08] Parliamentary committee discusses local administration bill

[09] Deputy minister outlines plans for smaller, more flexible army in visit to 4th Army Corps

[10] Gov't congratulates Greeks that won Paralympic medals on Monday

[11] Greek gov't seeks more efficient management of state land property

[12] Greek gov't announces measures to support wine makers, vineyard growers

[13] Employment minister says no question of raising pensioning age limit

[14] Greek Communist Party pledges support for civil servants' demands

[15] Development minister signs order inviting proposals for upgrading industrial zones

[16] Helexpo announces figures for 2004 Thessaloniki Int'l Fair

[17] Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize trade mission to Canton International Exhibition

[18] National Bank ascertains great interest by foreign investment firms in London

[19] Eurostat to publish updated data for Greece by early next week

[20] Stocks continue to raise, with focus on high-cap shares

[21] New ANA General Director announced

[22] 2 sportswriters meet with prosecutors probing doping issue

[23] Thessaloniki prosecutors eye illegal naturalizations in central Macedonia region

[24] Former Greek MEP to represent Euro-Parliament at European centre for disease control

[25] Woman lightly injured by gunfire during armed robbery in Kallithea

[26] Athens public transport free from 5am to 5pm Wed. for European Day Without Cars

[27] Thessaloniki mayor stresses city's poor transport infrastructure in message

[28] Albanian national seized with five kilos of heroin

[01] Greek candidacy for UN's Security Council seen favorably

NEW YORK 22/9/2004 (ANA/P.Panayiotou)

Furthermore, Greece's participation in the "Fight Against Hunger and Poverty" conference, an initiative of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, strengthens the Greek candidacy.

Molyviatis participated in a meeting held on Tuesday morning among the 25 EU member states, where issues such as Iraq, Iran, the Middle East, and terrorism were discussed in order to better coordinate and present a common position. After the meeting, the Greek foreign minister listened to the speeches given by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and US President George W. Bush.

He also met with his counterparts from Tunisia and Pakistan, and is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with whom he will discuss the Cyprus issue and the upcoming scheduled consultations scheduled for the Security Council during October, regarding a peace-keeping force in Cyprus and trade with Turkish Cypriots. Molyviatis will also be meeting with the foreign ministers of Honduras and Iran before attending the reception hosted by the US president in honor of the heads of delegations participating in the UN's 59th General Assembly.

On August 26, 2003 Greece and Denmark received the support of the UN's Western, European and Others Group (WEOG) for the non-permanent member positions on the UN Security Council. The two countries will succeed Germany and Spain. Voting for the new non-permanent members will be held on October 15, within the context of the 59th General Assembly

[02] Parliament president meets with the IPC and HPC

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

During the meeting, Psarouda-Benaki said she was optimistic "regarding the progress our society has made in terms of integrating people with disabilities and in creating the infrastructure necessary to help them develop their abilities, talents and skills."

Craven expressed satisfaction with the high quality of the 12th Paralympic Games being staged in Athens and emphasized the importance of this major sports event in helping to shape societal attitudes and mentality after the Games as well.

Stavrianopoulos referred to the numerous medals already won by Greek athletes, indicating that it is the result of the advances made in the field of sports among people with disabilities over recent years and emphasized the interest and the great number of spectators the Paralympics have drawn to the stadiums.

Parliament president receives Paralympic Torch: Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki on Tuesday received the Paralympic Torch from a group of reporters responsible for covering Parliamentary affairs, who had participated in the Athens Paralympic Torch Relay.

Psarouda-Benaki said that this was "a commendable and touching initiative that was a symbolic association of the Olympic ideal and the human will to overcome weaknesses." The group of reporters urged parliament to take "more generous initiatives with regards to people with disabilities."

The parliament president placed the torch in a special case in honor of Paralympic athletes, who according to her, offer lessons of strength both inside and outside the stadiums.

The President and Vice President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee Spyros Stavrianopoulos and Kyriakos Griveas, the Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee Francois Terranova, the Parliamentary Directorate and MPs were among those present at Tuesday's event.

[03] Inner cabinet discuss farm policy

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Savvas Tsitouridis said that the size and the structure of the farming sector was a very significant factor in the development of the countryside.

"We discussed the issue of land policy and decided to expand and make better use of existing incentives - taxation and other - to help young farmers to acquire their own farms," the Greek minister said.

He also announced an inner cabinet decision to redefine the operation of "Agrogi", a societe anonyme supervised by the ministry, aimed to help in an effort to make a more efficient use of farm land in Greece.

Tsitouridis added that the meeting also agreed on the necessary legislative adjustments aimed to drastically reform the management of large farm lands in the country. He stressed that the government never intended to change an existing law on forest areas in the country.

Tsitouridis noted that most of these measures would be ready before the end of the year.

[04] Deputy FM Valinakis confers with UN representative on FYROM name issue

NEW YORK, 22/9/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

According to foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos, the meeting aimed at "activating the negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), under the aegis of the UN".

Koumoutsakos noted the need for "substantive dialogue on finding a commonly acceptable solution to the issue of FYROM's name, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council".

Gov't on efforts for seat on U.N. Security Council, differences with FYROM: Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday stressed that Greece was making strenuous efforts for a place as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, in response to reporters' questions.

Noted that two unsuccessful efforts had been made in the past, Roussopoulos said that conditions appeared to be more favorable at the present time.

The spokesman also noted the government's desire for the start of serious dialogue with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia regarding the outstanding disagreements over the neighboring republic's name.

He said the framework for such a process remained unchanged and that an initiative is undertaken in accordance with article five of the interim agreement with FYROM on this issue.

In response to other questions, he said the government was still bound by the decisions of the political leaders' council

[05] Greece, Cyprus, Turkey cancel annual autumn military maneuvers in gesture of good will - Athens, Ankara want to speed up improvement of relations

NEW YORK 22/9/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations during their 45-minute meeting, and speaking to reporters later expressed satisfaction over the improvement of relations between their countries.

Molyviatis reaffirmed the "good relations", an indication of which was the fact that he and Gul had held two meetings in the past few days.

He cited the cancellation of the military exercises, particularly the maneuver in Cyprus, as an example of the "good climate" and an "indication of the climate of confidence" that has been cultivated between the two countries, noting that the decision had been made in agreement with the government of Cyprus.

Gul, in turn, said that the confidence-building measures (CBMs) between the two countries were discussed, and that they had agreed on the need to speed up the process.

In addition to Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, the ministers also discussed Turkey's European course.

Gul said that they reviewed the Cyprus issue and the issue of the "EU arrangements", and reiterated his invitation to Molyviatis for an official visit to Ankara.

They further discussed the situation in Iraq, and Gul said he had briefed Molyviatis on Turkey's positions.

A senior diplomatic source told the Athens News Agency (ANA) that it was the intent of Greece and Turkey to continue improvement of their relations at a faster pace, despite the substantive differences existing on the issue of the Aegean continental shelf and the Cyprus problem.

The source said that a "new period is commencing in Greek-Turkish relations in view of the EU decisions expected in December on Turkey's European course".

According to the source, it was decided during the ministers' meeting to increase the measures of confidence between the two countries, in addition to the postponement of the military exercises. With respect to the maneuvers taking place on Cyprus Republic soil, there had been prior agreement between the governments of Greece and Cyprus.

Sources close to the Greek delegation said that the confidence measures on which acceleration of the process had been decided concerned those being discussed within the framework of NATO.

Gul also referred to the "opportunity" they were given to once again discuss relations between the two countries, and on their decision to hold such meetings henceforth at their delegations' offices at the UN building instead of hotels.

The Cyprus issue was brought up at the meeting by Gul, who said they discussed the "present situation" and exchanged views on the EU's "two draft regulations" regarding the Turkish Cypriot side, and expressed dissatisfaction over the EU's "reneging" on its promises vis-a-vis the Turkish Cypriots.

The sources further said that although it was believed it would be very difficult for the EU to give an outright 'no' to Turkey (on setting a date for commencing accession talks), it was nevertheless expected that a number of terms and conditions would be set.

Sources on cancellation of exercises: High-ranking sources told ANA that the governments of Greece and Cyprus decided on cancellation of the military exercises Toxotis and Nikiforos as a message of good will to the Turkish side.

The sources said that ahead of Monday's afternoon meeting between Molyviatis and Gul at the offices of the Greek delegation to the UN, Molyviatis had conferred with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos by phone.

A short statement issued by the Cypriot delegation at the UN said that Papadopoulos had been formally informed that the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers, who were in New York for the UN General Assembly, had decided to cancel the military exercises Toxotis and Toros (respectively) and, in view of that development, the government of the Republic of Cyprus decided to cancel the Nikiforos exercise that had been scheduled for October 19-25.

[06] Cyprus will not be left vulnerable, foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakos assures

New York, 22/9/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Koumoutsakos said that respect of international legality and the domestic law of very country, has always been a fundamental principle of Greek foreign policy, and "that is why, for years no, efforts are being made to find a suitable solution to this issue".

Greece, he added, "will continue to follow its development".

"Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus, will in no instance be left vulnerable. The issue has a legal dimension, and goes back at least three years," he said.

[07] PASOK party begins procedures in light of congress

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The target of PASOK leader George Papandreou is to achieve the greatest possible participation of citizens and he chose to call on them himself in a message to participate in the procedures which got underway on Tuesday.

Papandreou, following a meeting of the party's National Reconstruction Committee Secretariat which he chaired, appealed to citizens to participate in the process either as members or friends (the registration process began on Tuesday and will come to an end on November 30).

The PASOK leader said in his message the party is entering a new phase of work ahead of the congress, a new phase for PASOK itself, and called for the participation of all who have common values in shaping the party's positions and principles, among which he included "growth with an identity", "new patriotism" and "volunteerism."

Papandreou said the development of dialogue ahead of the congress will run parallel to the exercising of "responsible opposition" and the shaping of the party's new "national targets" as a "potential government."

He appealed for participation to women, young people and immigrants in particular who compose social classes which, although having considerable participation in economic and social matters, lack considerable participation in political affairs.

The National Reconstruction Committee Secretariat's meeting focused on a presentation of finalized proposals on which dialogue will be based. The proposals concern the new proclamation, political positions and organizational changes.

No issue of government reshuffle, spokesman says: Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday denied rumors of a government reshuffle.

"There is no issue of a reshuffle," Roussopoulos said in reply to a question during a regular press briefing.

[08] Parliamentary committee discusses local administration bill

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The main opposition PASOK party and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology declared that they will vote against the bill, while the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) did not participate in the discussion as its representative was faced with a health problem.

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said self-sufficient local administration was a need of the times and announced that three new bills will be tabled in Parliament in the near future.

[09] Deputy minister outlines plans for smaller, more flexible army in visit to 4th Army Corps

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The minister was accompanied by the Armed Forces General Staff chief Nikolaos Douvas.

[10] Gov't congratulates Greeks that won Paralympic medals on Monday

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Karagianni won a silver medal in the 100m T13 final, Kantza the bronze in the women's 100m T11 final and Fykas won a silver medal in the men's 100m freestyle S8 final.

[11] Greek gov't seeks more efficient management of state land property

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The ministry set up two work groups that will draft and record the country's state-owned land property and a new legislation on beachfront, expected to be delivered by the end of November. The two groups' reports will be submitted to Economy and Finance Deputy Ministry Petros Doukas and will be used as the basis for a new draft legislation.

[12] Greek gov't announces measures to support wine makers, vineyard growers

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Deputy Minister Evangelos Basiakos, speaking to reporters, announced a series of intensive inspections, by ministry and prefectural commissions, in the country's vineyards and wine producing units and in the country's import gates. The inspections are aimed to combat unfair competition practices with cheaper wine imports from third countries and to ensure an acceptable price for wine production. The ministry also aims to boost consumption of grapes in the domestic market and to include new wine producing units in a Third Community Support Framework program.

[13] Employment minister says no question of raising pensioning age limit

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Panayiotopoulos also clarified that the statement he made on Monday on the law obliging employers to notify local Manpower Employment Centers of possible demand to hire labor will not concern compulsory measures but, on the contrary, incentives and positive measures.

The National Employment Committee will be responsible for preparing the National Action plan for Employment for 2005.

[14] Greek Communist Party pledges support for civil servants' demands

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Papariga stressed that civil servants had no obligation to settle for wage increases that were just a hair above inflation, if that, nor to contribute to convergence or stability programs, nor to take into account debts and deficits that they had done nothing to create.

"In this framework, our contribution is to organize a rally on October 9, whose aim is not to promote narrow party political targets but to create an environment of pressure in support of workers," she said.

Asked to comment on rumored financial mismanagement on the part of the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee, Papariga refused to take a stand regarding ATHENS 2004 president Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki and stressed that responsibility lay with the government, which was also obliged to brief Parliament.

[15] Development minister signs order inviting proposals for upgrading industrial zones

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The projects will be subsidized under the "Competitiveness" Operational Program of the 3rd Community Support Framework, which has a budget of 20.5 million euros. Of this sum, 8.8 million euros represents public spending.

The program is designed to cover activities to create shared infrastructure in industrial zones, including electrical and mechanical equipment, building construction and repair, redevelopment, roads, drainage and sewage systems, street lighting and telecoms infrastructure, and to encourage the creation of bodies for their management.

[16] Helexpo announces figures for 2004 Thessaloniki Int'l Fair

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

A total of 210,321 tickets were sold, while the total number of exhibitors reached 9,867, an increase of just more than 900 percent from the 2003 TIF. Finally, the number of foreign visitors increased by 48.5 percent.

[17] Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize trade mission to Canton International Exhibition

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The mission will be comprised of businessmen from all over Greece who are interested in direct trade cooperation with Chinese businesses.

The exhibition will cover two periods, each having a duration of five days. The first period will last between October 15-20 and its sectors will include raw materials, mechanical equipment, electronic and electrical appliances, textiles, clothes and foodstuffs.

The second period will last between October 25-30 and its sectors will include local products, household equipment, sportswear, gifts, toys and stationery.

[18] National Bank ascertains great interest by foreign investment firms in London

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

In the framework of an analytical presentation of the course of the National Bank's indicators to representatives of 30-35 major investment funds from both the British and U.S. capital market, the bank noted great interest on the part of investment firms whose current stake in the bank amounts to about 18 percent of the share capital.

The bank intends to carry out more road shows in international capital market centers to brief firms in local markets.

The National Bank will continue to place emphasis on its presence in the Balkans and it is considering expanding or obtaining a presence in two new markets, and in Turkey and Russia in particular.

[19] Eurostat to publish updated data for Greece by early next week

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the commissioner's spokesman said that all EU member-states submitted their updated figures on their national fiscal condition by September 1st, and that the EU Commission's statistics agency was currently examining these data.

[20] Stocks continue to raise, with focus on high-cap shares

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,366.41 points, showing an increase of 0.41 percent. Turnover was 123.9 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.62 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.10 percent down; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.19 percent down.

[21] New ANA General Director announced

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

The primary shareholder was represented by Margarita Papada-Heimona, the General Secretary of Communications, who noted that the new General Director fulfils all the prerequisites for a successful tenure, whereas she also praised the work of the outgoing General Director Andreas Christodoulides as well as his contribution to the ANA's development and standing.

Tabakopoulos will assume his new position immediately after the expiration of the current General Director's term on Dec. 21, 2004

[22] 2 sportswriters meet with prosecutors probing doping issue

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Skai radio station talk show host Haris Botsaris has extensively focused on the issue of San Francisco-area Balco and whether the embattled nutritional and performance-enhancing supplements manufacturer had ties with a coach or athletes in Greece.

Sportswriter and veteran announcer Philippos Syrigos, meanwhile, has focused on finances of the Athens 2004 Games' organizing committee and doping in sports.

[23] Thessaloniki prosecutors eye illegal naturalizations in central Macedonia region

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

A regional directorate dealing with foreign aliens and immigration has conveyed four files on the issue to the relevant prosecutor. Additionally, the Municipality of Sykies, in the greater Thessaloniki area, has filed a lawsuit "against any and all unknown" persons for an unidentified number of fake municipal certificates denoting an individual's marital and civil status.

[24] Former Greek MEP to represent Euro-Parliament at European centre for disease control

BRUSSELS 22/9/2004 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The centre was set up in April 2004 with the mission to assess and analyze risks to human health. Its main governing body is its board of directors, which is comprised of three representatives of the European Commission and one member from each EU member-state.

[25] Woman lightly injured by gunfire during armed robbery in Kallithea

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

Two unidentified armed men entered the bank early on Tuesday morning, forced the customers and staff to lie on the floor and took an unknown sum of money from the tills.

During the course of the robbery, one of the men pistol-whipped a bank teller, hitting her in the face, and then fired a shot into the ceiling. The bullet ricocheted and hit another bank employee in the arm, causing a light injury

[26] Athens public transport free from 5am to 5pm Wed. for European Day Without Cars

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

He said the measure was designed as an incentive to people to use public transport and learn to trust it.

"We have to give the city a chance to breathe," Liapis said.

He announced that a meeting will take place on Wednesday with representatives of municipal and prefectural local authorities for the final planning of the Athens urban transport system, which will be attended by Athens-Piraeus Super-Prefect Fofi Gennimata, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, interior ministry general secretary Thanos Vezyrgiannis and the president of the Local Union of Athens Prefecture Municipalities and Communities (TEDKNA) Petros Philippou.

[27] Thessaloniki mayor stresses city's poor transport infrastructure in message

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

[28] Albanian national seized with five kilos of heroin

Athens, 22/9/2004 (ANA)

According to police, the suspect picked up the drugs on the Greek-Albanian border and was arrested when he attempted to evade a police patrol inspecting cars at the entrance to Ioannina.

The arrested man will be taken before a public prosecutor.

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