Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis proposes former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias as candidate for Greek president

[02] Main opposition leader calls on gov't to act ahead of EU summit

[03] Valinakis says failure to recognize Cyprus, a problem for Turkey

[04] Greek ambassador to Cyprus on EU Summit: "All options open"

[05] Alavanos elected president of SYN

[06] Premier Karamanlis congratulates new Synaspismos leader

[07] KKE leader attends Turkish Communist Party conference, visits Ecumenical Patriarch

[08] Greek armed forces chief received by Cyprus president during visit to Cyprus

[09] Pavlopoulos announces supplementary bill to "main shareholder" bill

[10] Papandreou says Education should be the country's next 'big idea'

[11] New Democracy party secretary in Kavala during tour of regional areas

[12] Survey reveals public's dissatisfaction with governmental policy

[13] SAE board concludes three-day meeting in Thessaloniki

[14] Deputy defense minister Michaloliakos in hospital with acute back pain

[15] Deputy Finmin stresses development of northern Greece at Thessaloniki conference

[16] Main opposition leader predicts public deficit rise to 6 percent of GDP in 2004

[17] Ministers stress prospects unlocked by bill for joint ventures with private sector

[18] Athens-area taxi strike goes nationwide, postponed until Thursday

[19] Explosive device planted outside construction company

[20] Serious tram-vehicle collision at Aghios Kosmas, one fatality

[21] Thousands of immigrants learn Greek

[22] Cyprus President calls for more active EU involvement

[01] PM Karamanlis proposes former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias as candidate for Greek president

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

In a televised address at 20:00 in the evening, Karamanlis underlined that the government had chosen the route of consensus and understanding, stressing that every step in this direction was a victory for Greek society.

"What comes first is the political progress of the country. For some time I have underlined my belief that the political forces of the country have a duty to reach an understanding on the election of the new President of the Republic. This is dictated by respect for the institutions and common sense," he said.

He said that the government's choice placed priority on consensus that was in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution and the demands of society, putting forward a candidate that could rally the support of all parties instead of picking one of many able and suitable candidates from within ruling New Democracy's own ranks.

"Our goal is not to impose our choices, as the majority political force. Instead, it is our duty to gain society's widest possible acceptance for the person of the President of the Republic," he emphasized.

Karamanlis also stressed that the future president should be a political figure, who could bring to the post the experience, knowledge and ability acquired in the course of a long political career.

"Primarily, we need in the position of President a person that in his career has learned to synthesize and unite. A prudent and consensual president who will continue the work of Kostis Stephanopoulos who has so ably served the institutions and Greece, above and beyond all parties and ideologies," he said.

The premier stressed that these qualities came together in the person of Karolos Papoulias, a veteran politician who had served as foreign minister under successive PASOK governments but was now no longer an MP and thus sufficiently removed from the daily grind of politics.

Noting that Papoulias had proved his moderation over his long career and his ability to work flawlessly with all the parties during his stint as chairman of Parliament's foreign affairs committee, the premier said he believed the choice to be both correct and bold.

"We have overcome party boundaries. Our goal is only to serve the country," he said.

Karolos Papoulias was born in June 1929 in the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina in Epirus. He studied law, graduating from the Athens Law School and then pursuing postgraduate studies in Munich, and speaks German, Italian and French.

A close associate of Andreas Papandreou, the founder of the PASOK party and father of current PASOK leader George Papandreou, he joined PASOK Central Committee and entered politics on returning to Greece from Germany after the fall of the dictatorship in 1974.

His first government post was with the newly-elected PASOK government of 1981, when he was appointed deputy foreign minister and he remained within the foreign ministry until 1989 when PASOK lost the elections, becoming alternate foreign minister in 1984 and foreign minister in 1985.

He was again appointed foreign minister when PASOK was re-elected in 1993 and remained at the head of the ministry until January 1996.

He is married to Maria Panou and has three daughters.

Papoulias says PM's proposal is 'an honor

and responsibility': «The proposal made by the prime minister and the ruling party is a great honor and a great responsibility for me," veteran politician Karolos Papoulias said on Sunday night in Epirus, in his first public statement after he was put forward by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis as the government's choice of candidate for the presidential elections in March.

"It is a great honor because the search for consensus dictated by the Constitution for the election of the President of the Republic is expressed in my person.

"It is a great responsibility because the civic conduct of the person chosen to serve the institution of president is a measure of our political culture."

"With absolute respect for the views of all the parties, I await the Greek Parliament's decision."

Papoulias' candidacy was also greeted with great satisfaction by current President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who expressed "sincere joy" at the news.

"I have, as do all of us, great respect for his person and I am certain that he will serve the presidency of the Republic and the country with great success," Stephanopoulos said in a written announcement.

Papoulias an 'excellent choice' for president

of the Republic, main opposition leader says: Karolos Papoulias is "an excellent choice" for president of the Republic, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said late on Sunday, after the government's surprise announcement that it was proposing the former foreign minister and veteran PASOK member as a candidate for the presidential election next March.

"Mr. Papoulias brings together all the qualities that I have described," Papandreou said of the 75-year-old politician, a close associate of his father Andreas Papandreou that had led the foreign ministry under successive PASOK governments.

PASOK's leader stressed that Papoulias had responsibly served democracy, had the necessary international prestige to represent the country, could express the unity of Greeks and act within the framework of the Constitution.

He said Papoulias would be a worthy successor to Kostis Stephanopoulos, who had honored the institution of the presidency.

Papoulias' presidential candidacy gets cool reception from the Left as 'two-party system's' choice: Parliament's two left-wing parties responded without enthusiasm on Sunday to the government's announcement of Karolos Papoulias as its candidate for the presidency of the Republic, greeting the news as another incidence of the two-party system in action.

An announcement by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) warned the Greek people against "becoming sidetracked and carried away by the climate of consensus that the architects of anti-worker, anti-working class policies, [ruling] New Democracy and [main opposition] PASOK, were trying to engineer".

The announcement stressed that consensus meant ''subjugation to a policy that amassed profits for the plutocracy and problems for the working classes and lower-income strata.''

The official position of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party was "no comment", while high-ranking party echelons said the choice of Papoulias was part of the 'two-party game'.

[02] Main opposition leader calls on gov't to act ahead of EU summit

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

"By disassociating Turkey's EU accession course from the Cyprus issue and from the resolution of Greek-Turkish problems, the government has allowed Turkey to apply its own rules and conditions to the bilateral agenda that concerns our relations," Papandreou said. He expressed hope that the New Democracy government will have understood by now the strategic importance of the Helsinki decision.

Papandreou reiterated his support for Turkey's EU prospects, emphasizing that Turkey's progress will depend on the country's true desire to realize and fulfill its obligations.

Finally, the PASOK president also emphasized that now is the time for negotiations. He also mentioned that during his trip to Istanbul he reiterated "our positions in the most clear-cut way, regarding the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, the gradual withdrawal of the Turkish occupational forces, and the respect of human rights and religious freedom which concern the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

[03] Valinakis says failure to recognize Cyprus, a problem for Turkey

NICOSIA 13/12/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

Valinakis said that Turkey is also aware of this reality even if it does not admit it. The Greek deputy minister added that if Turkey truly wants to become an EU member then it will have to act like a 'European' and will have to realize where it's headed and will have to fulfill its obligations.

Valinakis said that Greece is conscientiously and responsibly in favor of Turkey's EU accession because a European Turkey will act differently "and if it [Turkey] forgets to do so, then the EU will remind it."

While this is the most beneficial alternative, Valinakis stressed that "in no way does this imply that we will overlook our own interests and rights."

As for resolving the Cyprus issue, Valinakis said "we are hoping for a resumption of UN efforts."

[04] Greek ambassador to Cyprus on EU Summit: "All options open"

NICOSIA 13/12/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

Panagopoulos stressed that it would be irrational for Cyprus to trap itself in a position that will preclude any possible maneuvering. "Therefore, the issue remains open and will be decided at the last minute," he said.

The Greek ambassador said there is an entire list of issues which one could describe as being of 'an existential nature.' Panagopoulos referred to Turkey's continued occupation of Cyprus and the presence of illegal troops and the consequences of the invasion, saying that these are convincing issues and no one can claim that Greek Cypriots are wrong.

"The issue is how - in light of December 17 when various opinions will be expressed - these completely justified positions will be presented," he said.

Speaking theoretically, Panagopoulos said that in case the power of veto is exercised, those countries that have reservations about Turkey's EU accession will be hiding behind the decision of Greece and Cyprus, reaping the benefits "while we will be shouldering the cost," he said.

[05] Alavanos elected president of SYN

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Specifically, 1,110 people voted and 1,094 ballots were deemed valid. Of these, Alavanos received 649 votes (58.5%), Mihalis Papayiannakis received 368 votes (33.18%) and Christophoros Papadopoulos received 77 votes (6.94%).

In his first speech as president of the party, Alavanos stressed that he would make every effort to meet the hopes and expectations of the workforce, while noting that the expectations that arose with every change were often the 'great opponent'.

He also underlined his desire to coexist and cooperate with Papayiannakis, his main opponent for the party leadership, and said that his primary goals as party leader were to restructure the party and boost its decisiveness.

Papayiannakis, on his part, congratulated the new party president on a clear-cut, unambiguous victory but said he would continue to fight for his positions in support of a renewed Left. Addressing the delegates prior to the election, Alavanos had stressed that the new president of the Coalition party will be equal among his top echelons and not the first among equals. He said trends within the party should not operate as 'parties within the party' but as flows of ideas.

His main opponent Papayiannakis warned against succumbing to the temptation to take the Coalition toward Leftism, advising self-restraint. He called for wider political and social groupings but stressed that he would not take the party toward main opposition PASOK, as some had claimed.

[06] Premier Karamanlis congratulates new Synaspismos leader

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

''I am certain that, under your presidency, Synaspismos will continue contributing, in an essential way, to the upgrading of public life and political culture, which the country needs and citizens are asking for,'' Karamanlis underlined in his message.

[07] KKE leader attends Turkish Communist Party conference, visits Ecumenical Patriarch

ISTANBUL 13/12/2004 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Afterwards, Papariga expressed her party's concern at Turkey's treatment of the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate and said this was linked to political goals concerning Turkey's accession to the European Union.

During the conference, meanwhile, the Greek and Turkish Communist parties issued a joint statement regarding Turkey's EU accession, noting that they "coincided in the view that the struggle against imperialism and dealing with the European Union was equally important as that against the policies of the United States and NATO".

The announcement stressed the parties' "obligation to tell the truth about the EU," and described the EU as an "imperialist inter-state organization marked by aggressiveness, asymmetry, inequality and the dominance of powerful nations with the concession of powers by member-states".

Emerging from her meeting with Vartholomeos, Papariga stressed that Turkey's accession course should not be linked to the Patriarchate and with actions that either directly or indirectly acted against it.

She also reiterated her party's support for re-opening the School of Theology on Halki, noting that the Patriarchate should not operate without the School.

"Political leaderships and governments should on no account use the Church or religion in order to further their own political goals in the framework of EU accession," Papariga said, stressing that the Turkish government should strive for its demands using political means and not at the expense of the Patriarchate.

[08] Greek armed forces chief received by Cyprus president during visit to Cyprus

NICOSIA 13/12/2004 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Earlier, Douvas had been received by Cyprus House of Representatives President Dimitris Christofias at the Cyprus Parliament building.

[09] Pavlopoulos announces supplementary bill to "main shareholder" bill

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Furthermore, Pavlopoulos also announced reinforcing the National Broadcasting Council by establishing monitoring services, upgrading its electronic equipment, establishing cooperation with the Competition Committee and the financial crimes unit, among other measures.

As for the "main shareholder" bill, Pavlopoulos emphasized that all its clauses are constitutional and was not concerned that it might be annulled by an EU court.

[10] Papandreou says Education should be the country's next 'big idea'

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou also accused the government of refusing to engage in national dialogue on the issue of education, postponing it for a later date.

PASOK's president surprised the audience when he said that education in Greece is not free and emphasized that the cost of education a Greek household pays must be reduced drastically.

Papandreou referred to five, major points he deems crucial for education:

1) Education must be related to society's and mankind's needs;

2) Education must be free;

3) Everyone must have access to education throughout their lifetime;

4) Competitiveness and quality must be ensured so that universities and schools constitute 'centers of excellence';

5) An open school, which helps recreate the 'neighborhood', as experienced by past generations.

As for educational funding, Papandreou said that savings brought about from the mutual reduction in arms spending of Greece and Turkey, could cover part of the funding. He said that educational spending should reach 5% of GDP and said he was in favor of investing 40% of the Fourth Community Support Framework funds in education and innovation.

Papandreou also referred to the issue of non-state universities, saying that "we shouldn't be afraid of attracting private capital to the field of education."

[11] New Democracy party secretary in Kavala during tour of regional areas

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

He said the party was mobilizing and touring all prefectures around the country in accordance with orders given by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for closer contact with the citizens and regional areas, which Meimarakis stressed, had truly been neglected.

After talks with Kavala Prefect Theodoros Kalliontzis, the party secretary also noted that his visit was both practical - giving an opportunity to once again discuss regional problems and priorities - but also a symbolic message that sought to underline the government's respect for second-tier local government, or prefectural authorities.

"I personally believe that [prefectural government] has very important work to do and helps significantly in the structure of administration, which exists so that the problems of the citizens can be solved on the spot," he said.

During his visit to Kavala, Meimarakis also met Kavala Mayor Stathis Erifyllidis and visited the local business chamber for talks with its president Apostolos Mardyris, informing him that the government was presently working on a bill that will upgrade the role of professional and business chambers throughout the country.

[12] Survey reveals public's dissatisfaction with governmental policy

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Specifically, when asked how satisfied they are with the government, 55.9% of those surveyed replied mostly or rather not satisfied, while 41.2% answered mostly or rather satisfied.

The government scores high marks in the areas of education, health care and fighting corruption, but low marks in foreign policy, unemployment, wages and pensions.

Asked who they consider to be more fit for the position of prime minister, 44,5% chose Karamanlis compared with 36.2% who chose Papandreou.

Interior minister meets PM, comments on poll due to be published on Sunday: Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos had a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Saturday.

Emerging from the meeting, Pavlopoulos was asked to comment on an opinion poll that was due to be published later Sunday in the Sunday edition of the newspaper 'Vima', in which the public appears to support Karamanlis as most suitable premier but is less satisfied with other areas of the government's performance.

According to the minister, all opinion polls were welcome, even when they highlighted problems in certain areas, because they were useful tools for political analysis and because there must always be improvement.

[13] SAE board concludes three-day meeting in Thessaloniki

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

During the meeting, Skandalakis and members of the SAE board discussed issues pertaining to proposals on drafting a bill to execute articles of the Constitution on the operation of the SAE.

SAE board members also had successive meetings with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis, Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis, Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos and the honorary president of Cyprus' EDEK party Vassos Lyssarides.

The meeting also discussed general policy on education and promotion of the Greek language and culture.

[14] Deputy defense minister Michaloliakos in hospital with acute back pain

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

[15] Deputy Finmin stresses development of northern Greece at Thessaloniki conference

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Pointing to pledges by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to draft and implement a strategic development plan for northern Greece, outlined during the premier's speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Folias said that giving Thessaloniki a broader role within southeast Europe was primarily linked to the building crucial infrastructure that will be ready by 2008 and enhancing competitiveness and innovation.

To this end, he stressed a program being initiated by the government for the development of technological innovation in Thessaloniki, whose aim was to convert the city into an 'innovation metropolis' that would attract new businesses, create new jobs and bring new technical know-how. The minister urged business enterprises of all sizes to take advantage of the new opportunities thus offered to incorporate technology, innovative practices, information technology and specialist know-how in their day-to-day operations.

[16] Main opposition leader predicts public deficit rise to 6 percent of GDP in 2004

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at an event organized by PASOK's parliamentary group in the framework of an information campaign launched by the Party of European Socialists (PES) in collaboration with PASOK's Information and Internet group, Papandreou said this would return Greece to the period in 1996-1997 when it was struggling to reduce the deficit in order to enter the Eurozone.

According to a recent upward revision of Greek fiscal data for the past years by Eurostat, however, the public deficit has consistently been above 3 per cent since Greece joined the Eurozone based on new statistical methods and stood at 4.6 per cent of GDP in 2003.

Papandreou also claimed a 25 per cent drop in the absorption of Community Support Framework funds under the present government and said the informal audit of state books initiated by the government, which led to Eurostat's upward revision of Greek fiscal statistics, lacked transparency.

According to PASOK's leader, the audit served as a campaign to discredit the country's economy and tarnish Greece's image, which would reduce its negotiating ability.

The main opposition leader, formerly a foreign minister, also stressed his party's support for Turkey's "true accession" to the European Union, provided it fulfilled all its obligations.

Papandreou said that, while in Turkey, he had openly raised the issue of recognition of the Cyprus Republic, withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, as well as the reopening of the School of Theology on Halki and the rights of the Greek minority, as well as stating his opposition to a 'special' relationship between Turkey and EU.

He called on the EU to give Turkey a date for the start of accession negotiations and a 'road map' of its obligations to Europe and vice-versa, stressing that this would be in Greece's interests. At the same time, he criticized the government for separating Turkey's EU course from its relations with Greece and deferring the resolution of outstanding differences to the dim and distant future.

In other parts of his address at the event, Papandreou outlined his vision for participatory democracy in which the electorate had a more active role in day-to-day decision-making rather than just voting once every four years.

He announced that his party's first round of 'National Dialogue' will take place on December 20, with a three-hour discussion on the problems of the third age taking place simultaneously in several cities throughout Greece.

[17] Ministers stress prospects unlocked by bill for joint ventures with private sector

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

"It is about time that we in Greece also discovered the wheel," Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias said. He pointed out that a bill regulating joint ventures between the state and private sector was now being prepared by the government, while noting that joint ventures had been standard practice in most European Union countries for more than 20 years.

He also stressed that joint ventures could be used to fund for a large variety of public works, from roads and bridges to school buildings and hospitals, and were a method that ensured the swift and efficient execution of projects within a set budget.

"The body that concedes the rights to exploit the property, in this case the municipality, has simply to ensure that the terms of the contract are properly executed," he said.

Deputy Interior Minister Athanassios Nakos outlined his ministry's new five-year funding program for local authorities dubbed 'Thiseas', which will begin operating from the start of the next year.

He said this would be used to provide municipalities with funds to carry out pre-contractual preparatory work for public projects, such as preliminary investigation, feasibility studies and the proclamation of tenders.

The minister noted, however, that some outstanding problems concerning joint ventures involving local government, chiefly with respect to the issue of securities and guarantees, needed to be hashed out before the measure could go ahead. He pointed out, meanwhile, that the transparency of accounting practices within municipalities would first have to be upgraded.

"It's just not possible, when municipal accounts are kept in grocers' pads, for them to demand access to financial institutions or to enter into joint ventures with the private sector," he stressed.

The seminar was organized by the Municipality of Panorama in Thessaloniki and the Greek Inter-municipal Financial Services Company, in which 68 municipalities currently participate as shareholders.

[18] Athens-area taxi strike goes nationwide, postponed until Thursday

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

The decision was made after an agreement between the Attica Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) and the Panhellenic Federation of Taxi Owners (POIEATA).

The strike begins at 5:00 am on Thursday morning and ends 24 hours later, at 5:00 am on Friday.

The main demands of striking taxi drivers and owners are a 30-percent increase in fares, instead of the 7 percent increase proposed by the ministry, and access to bus lanes that has been categorically ruled out by Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis.

[19] Explosive device planted outside construction company

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

Forensics is examining the device and is also investigating the reasons why the bomb did not go off at the time stated by the unknown caller. Officers of the anti-terrorism unit believe it may be due to a faulty connection. Additionally, the police are investigating whether the device has any similarities with the explosive devices used by organizations which surfaced after the break-up of the terrorist organization "November 17."

[20] Serious tram-vehicle collision at Aghios Kosmas, one fatality

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

According to Glyfada traffic police, the accident was caused when the driver of the vehicle tried to cut in front of an oncoming tram. The victim was the driver of the car, identified as Panagiotis Tsayaris, 43.

The tram was derailed but none of the passengers were injured.

This is the second fatal accident involving a tram car since the tram service began operating.

[21] Thousands of immigrants learn Greek

Athens 13/12/2004 (ANA)

To date, most first- and second-generation immigrants have difficulty communicating with locals because their knowledge of the Greek language is either poor or non-existent. The Education Ministry, through its General Secretariat for Adult Education, has decided to launch a program enabling those wishing to learn Greek to do so.

[22] Cyprus President calls for more active EU involvement

NICOSIA 13/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing the Pancyprian Meeting of the center-right Democratic Party which he chairs, President Papadopoulos repeated that the Greek Cypriot side remains ''committed and dedicated to a bizonal, bicommunal federation''.

The president said that ''we must pursue a resumption of the intercommunal dialogue under the UN auspices and with a more active involvement on the part of the EU, so as to bring about the necessary improvements and additions'' to the Annan Plan in the light of UN resolutions, international law and the acquis communautaire.

This way, he said, the Annan Plan will become more ''functional and viable and will tackle the reasonable and legitimate concerns of the two communities''.

He also said today's situation is ''unacceptable and at the same time dangerous for both communities''.

The president remarked the most current issue is the ''dilemma over what will happen at the European Council''.

Stressing that nothing that he would say, would in anyway be a statement or a revelation of the government's decision whether it will consent to granting a date to Turkey to start accession negotiations at this week's European Council, President Papadopoulos explained that this is because the decision will be taken at the last moment.

''Simply, the decision must be taken at the last moment, based on the final positions of the heads of state and governments during 17th December'', he underlined.

President Papadopoulos repeated that the government is not against giving Turkey a date, under one condition however, that ''Turkey must fulfill its obligations as member state, to the EU and the Republic of Cyprus. It is Turkey's obligation to the EU to sign the protocol to extend its commerce agreement with all EU member states, an action which in itself would tantamount to recognition of the legal entity of the Republic of Cyprus'', the president added.

He stressed that the 17th December is not the end of the course but on the contrary ''the onset because it provides the capacity and opportunities to make the issue of a Cyprus settlement central and constant during the daily procedures of Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU''.

The Cypriot President described as unfounded Turkey's argument that with its attitude during the April referenda, it has fulfilled its obligations against Cyprus.

''Turkey is still under its obligations by the Republic of Cyprus and the EU'', said the president, and called on the EU candidate country to withdraw its forces from the island and to end the Turkish occupation before or on 17 December.

In his speech, President Papadopoulos said that ''we are wishing for a proper solution the soonest'', a solution that would ''reunite our divided common island'' and one that would provide for the reunification of the economy, society and institutions. To make this possible, he added, ''dialogue is needed. A sincere outline of the positions and full understanding of the concerns and reservations of each side is necessary'', President Papadopoulos added.

Referring to the UN Plan for a settlement, which the Greek Cypriot side rejected in a referendum last April with an overwhelming majority of 76%, President Papadopoulos said by rejecting it, ''Cypriot Hellenism did not reject the solution to the Cyprus problem''.

The people, he added, rejected this ''specific plan because it believed that it did not lead to a functional and viable solution, that it was not fair and balanced, and did not manage the reasonable concerns of Cypriot Hellenism''.

Most of all, he said, the people believed that the plan strengthened and perpetuated dividing trends and did not equally safeguard human rights.

However, the Cypriot President stressed that he is not disregarding the dangers which lurk and continue to threaten the people of Cyprus with the non-solution, noting that these dangers are not greater than the ones that Cypriots would have faced if the Annan Plan was accepted for a solution.

''We remain committed and dedicated to a bizonal, bicommunal federation'', President Papadopoulos said noting ''we want a resumption of the intercommunal talks, so that with consensus the necessary changes, improvements and additions can be made to the Annan Plan, making it functional therefore viable since it will adequately meet the legitimate concerns of the two communities'', he added.

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