Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis says respect of int'l law a prerequisite for Turkey's EU accession talks

[02] PM Karamanlis meets ND's proposed presidential candidate Karolos Papoulias

[03] New US envoy for Greece, Charles Ries, sworn-in at State Dept.

[04] Turkish press on Papandreou address regarding Ankara's EU course

[05] Erdogan: Turkey will consider recognition of Cyprus within framework of overall solution

[06] Testimony in Parliamentary investigation on arms procurements to end on Friday

[07] Euro-Atlantic Cooperation conference concludes Tuesday

[08] Former defense minister sues ministry official over statements in Parliamentary hearing

[09] Poll shows ND leading PASOK by 6.3 percentage points

[10] EU education ministers set goals for vocational education and training

[11] Greek-Canadian group protests over attempt to form 'Macedonian' friendship group in Parliament

[12] Gov't says public investment down in 2005 due to end of Olympics

[13] 'Main shareholder' bill for media, public contracts to Parliament before Christmas, gov't says

[14] Gov't sets up regional tourism council

[15] Bank workers, employers in deadlock over pension fund rift

[16] Stocks drop in late selling

[17] Athens mayor shown around 'The Olive Roads' exhibition at Syntagma metro station

[18] Total of 36 illegals intercepted on small eastern Aegean isle

[19] Exhibition on Olympic Truce opens in Washington

[20] Cyprus and Greece sign sports memorandum

[21] Members of the European Parliament call on Turkey to recognize Cyprus

[22] Members of US Congress question US policy towards Cyprus

[01] PM Karamanlis says respect of int'l law a prerequisite for Turkey's EU accession talks

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

"Greece supports Turkey's EU prospects. This is a strategic choice which provides the means to achieve - among other things - a high level of geopolitical stability and prosperity in our region. Despite this, Turkey's long road to EU accession depends wholly on Turkey itself," Karamanlis said.

[02] PM Karamanlis meets ND's proposed presidential candidate Karolos Papoulias

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

After the meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, Papoulias said they had discussed a range of issues in a friendly climate and stressed his belief that this climate would continue.

"Mr. Karamanlis' choice dictates this and it is, judging also by the acceptance of the public, for the good of the country," he said.

Karamanlis met Papoulias on the steps of the prime minister's mansion, where the shook hands warmly and then held talks with him in the prime minister's offices in the presence of reporters and TV crews.

The premier said he was happy that his proposal for president enjoyed such wide acceptance, with which Papoulias concurred, and said that this expressed the consensus that was positive for all.

Before arriving for the meeting, Papoulias noted his satisfaction that the premier's proposal had been so well received, saying that this was probably the best moment of his political career and that he was "ready for the mission".

Papandreou comments on Papoulias' nomination, economy, EU Summit: "Karolos Papoulias has PASOK's [Panhellenic Socialist Movement] universal approval," main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou said after his party's coordinators met on Tuesday.

Speaking of Papoulias' nomination, Papandreou described it as "a good omen for the institution, which was reinforced during Mr. [Kostis] Stephanopoulos' tenure."

Papandreou announced that the PASOK Congress would be held in early March 2005. He emphasized that his party will continue its harsh criticism of the government, which has ''made major mistakes and has created problems for Greek citizens.''

Papandreou said that since the issue of a presidential candidate has been dealt with, following Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' nomination of Papoulias as candidate for President of the Hellenic Republic, everyone can now focus on the real problems, which were discussed during the PASOK coordinators' meeting. The first topic of discussion was the budget, which Papandreou described as 'conservative', one of 'stagnation' and 'regression', accusing the government of bringing the country's economy to the worst point it's been at in the past decade.

Papandreou also referred to the upcoming EU Summit, which begins in Brussels on Thursday, saying that everyone must contribute in order to ensure the best possible outcome, something he promised to do until the last minute.

He reiterated his party's stance of supporting Turkey's EU accession, emphasizing however that, setting a start date for talks as well as EU accession, must be done under strict conditions and terms which will include the solving of major issues, such as that of Cyprus, the continental shelf, Greek and other minorities, and the Patriarchate. Papandreou said that these conditions should be put forward during the Brussels meeting, but expressed doubts as to whether this would happen. According to PASOK's president, no one knows if the government has a specific policy or strategy regarding these issues.

SYN's Alekos Alavanos comments on presidential candidacy of Karolos Papoulias: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYNASPISMOS) President Alekos Alavanos on Tuesday expressed his respect to presidential candidate Karolos Papoulias, at the same time viewing that the consensus between the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK on this issue was based on their parties' expediencies.

Alavanos made the statement immediately after his election as president of SYN's Parliamentary Group.

The new SYN president said that the consensus in the person of Papoulias was the result of secret assent between the two major political parties.

"The candidacy for the President of the Republic has two aspects, the personal and the political. Personally, I share the sentiments of affection to Karolos Papoulias, as an honest and democratic politician. I wish him to be a good President of the Republic. Politically, however, the agreement between the ND and PASOK was not based on the basis of person. It was made with closed procedures within the framework of the coincidence of their close party expediencies, particularly in relation with the early elections and not only. It is incorporated in the model of exclusive bipartisan management of the political system."

[03] New US envoy for Greece, Charles Ries, sworn-in at State Dept.

WASHINGTON 15/12/2004 (ANA)

Ries, following his confirmation by the US Senate, will replace current US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller.

According to reports, in brief addresses both Powell and Ries referred to America's centuries-old support for Greece and Hellenism, the Greek War of Independence as well as the common ideals of freedom and democracy that both nations share and the standing alliance that unites the two peoples.

On the political front, mention was made of continuing efforts to solve the long-standing Cyprus problem, Athens' ongoing support for Turkey's European course as well as Greece's contribution to peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans.

US officials, moreover, praised Athens' successful hosting of the 2004 Olympic Games and cited Greece's recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council as well as the country's equally successful EU presidency in the first half of 2003.

Concluding, reference was made to the robust presence of the Greek-American community in the United States and ethnic Greeks' contribution to American society and Greek-American relations.

The Greek ambassador is scheduled to host an official dinner at his residence on Tuesday evening for Ries and his wife, Marcy Ries, who is Washington's ambassador in neighboring Albania.

[04] Turkish press on Papandreou address regarding Ankara's EU course

ISTANBUL 15/12/2004 (ANA)

In referring to Papandreou's address at the general assembly of the powerful Koc business group, "Milliyet" cited the Greek political leader's recollection of just how the ongoing Greek-Turkish rapprochement began.

"I watched (former US Secretary of State) Madeleine Albright on television justifying the intervention in Kosovo in order to avoid a war between Greece and Turkey ... The first thing I did at that moment was call my Turkish counterpart and ask if Turkey was preparing to go to war with Greece," he was quoted in the paper as saying.

"Mr. (Ismail) Cem (then Turkey's foreign minister) told me that no such prospect existed," he added.

The mass circulation Turkish daily quotes Papandreou as saying that support for Turkey's EU accession was then chosen for solving Greek-Turkish differences.

Another statement by Papandreou dealt with Athens' decision to back a "real" candidacy for Turkey instead of a "phony" candidacy.

"I stressed this to our European partners," Papandreou said, noting that quite a few interlocutors in Europe told Greek leadership that it would be best to reach an understanding amongst them in order to provide Turkey with a sham candidacy -- something he said Greece flatly refused.

Finally, Milliyet reminded that the one-time Greek foreign minister stressed to his Turkish audience the importance that Greece and the Christian world places on the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, drawing a comparison between the significance of Mecca for the Muslim world with the Patriarchate for the Eastern Orthodox faithful.

[05] Erdogan: Turkey will consider recognition of Cyprus within framework of overall solution

ANKARA 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The Turkish premier made the statement during a luncheon he hosted for EU member-states' ambassadors to Ankara.

According to a wire story by the Anadolu news agency, Erdogan emphasized that Ankara included the Republic of Cyprus -- in a decree issued on Oct. 2, 2004 -- as among the EU states that Turkey is linked to via a customs union.

Conversely, he said a decision by the bloc's then 15 members, last April, to lift an embargo against the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state "was not applied by all 25 member-states".

"The Turkish Cypriots are, therefore, punished in this manner because they demonstrated volition in favor of solving the Cyprus problem," he added.

Meanwhile, in a related development from Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul echoed previous statements on the issue, stressing that his country will not directly or indirectly recognize the island republic before the Cyprus problem is solved.

Gul made the statement while addressing the Turkish assembly during preliminary deliberations regarding a decision to discuss the Cyprus issue in an off-the-agenda discussion.

Turkey continues to occupy roughly one-third of the island republic's territory, whereas a crucial Dec. 17 EU Summit will determine if the country achieves its long-coveted goal to begin accession negotiations with the 25-nation bloc that includes a country (Cyprus) it does not recognize.

The Turkish foreign minister also claimed that neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriots are responsible for the lack of a solution, while saying it was wrong for the EU to accept the Greek Cypriot side into the Union, "despite the fact that it adopts the principle of not importing border problems within the Union."

[06] Testimony in Parliamentary investigation on arms procurements to end on Friday

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

According to the head of the committee Yiannis Tragakis, the decision to bring forward the deadline was prompted by the upcoming debate on the budget and the subsequent excessive workload for parliament stenographers.

This means that each former defense minister will be given one day to complete their testimony. The first witness will be Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Wednesday, with Yiannos Papantoniou due to appear on Thursday and current Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos to testify on Friday.

[07] Euro-Atlantic Cooperation conference concludes Tuesday

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

Croatia's Ambassador to Greece Neven Madey pointed out the progress the Balkans have made to date - stability, growth - and acknowledged that some problems still persist, such as nationalism, racism and open bilateral issues. However, Madey pointed out that this does not mean Balkan countries should not become members of Euro-Atlantic structures.

"Croatia is on the threshold of NATO and the EU. Our example is very positive for other countries. We are fulfilling the Copenhagen and Partnership for Peace (PfP) criteria," Madey said.

"FYROM's strategic goal is NATO and EU accession," Blagoje Handziski, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Ambassador and Liaison Office Director in Greece, said in statements he made at the conference. "The EU has a share of the responsibility regarding what happened in Yugoslavia, due to a lack of policy," he added.

Handziski pointed out that Euro-Atlantic cooperation should focus on formulating a common strategy in the region; fighting crime, corruption, terrorism, trafficking; strengthening regional cooperation; and supporting economic growth in the region. According to Handziski, if Albania, Croatia and FYROM join NATO, then a step towards further stability in the region will be taken.

Ambassador of Serbia-Montenegro in Greece Dusan Batakovic noted the achievements Serbia has made in the past four years. According to Batakovic, The Hague was one of the greatest obstacles, which through its actions helped radicals and extreme nationalists in the country, while the government could not turn over those wanted by the court quickly enough.

"Kosovo is a very difficult problem. Decision 1244 referred to a multicultural and democratic society and to date 250,000 Serbs have been deported, 170 churches have been set on fire, and there is no freedom of movement even for Serb MPs," Batakovic said, calling Kosovo a "time bomb."

"For five years there have been unacceptable tactics and no one cares. It's difficult to understand how of 45,000 Serbs in Pristina there are now only 200 being protected by KFOR," he said.

Speaking of Montenegro, Batakovic said it was an important part of his country and said that a referendum is scheduled for 2006. According to a US survey, 41%-43% of those questioned want independence. Batakovic said that Serbia wants a referendum quickly.

Alper Coskun, Director of the NATO Division at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, outlined the advantages Turkey had to offer NATO and the EU, by contributing to stability, security and defense. Coskun pointed out that Turkey is active in all EU operations in Southeast Europe and EUROFOR.

Israeli Ambassador to Greece Ram Aviram said that any 'moderate' policy is effective only if the exercise of 'harsh' policy is certain. He said that 2005 may see a change in the Palestinian issue following the Palestinian elections of January 9, which may result in Palestinian leaders with different politics.

According to Aviram, the greatest dangers are terrorism and the spreading of weapons of mass destruction. "We must not fail regarding Iran's nuclear program," he said. "When Europe expressed concern, Iran felt pressured," he said, adding that only a joint, trans-atlantic position can be effective.

Egypt's Ambassador to Greece Magda Shahin called on Europe to increase its political weight, saying that it could be a balancing force vis-a-vis the US, and an active player in the Middle East peace process. According to Shahin, the cause of international terrorism is not just poverty but military occupation as well. She also said that Egypt trusts the EU and talks with the EU, but cooperates less with NATO. "NATO must show examples of good intentions and must convince its members on the issue of negotiations regarding weapons of mass destruction and must avoid policies of double-standards," she said.

Later on Tuesday evening, Theodosis Georgiou, President of the Greek Union for Atlantic and European Cooperation, was awarded the Legion of Honor for his contribution to the Euro-Atlantic dialogue by French Ambassador Bruno Delaye. The decision to present Georgiou with this medal, France's highest honor to a foreigner, was taken by French President Jacques Chirac.

[08] Former defense minister sues ministry official over statements in Parliamentary hearing

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The suit concerns an anonymous letter apparently adopted by Zorbas dated March 17, 2004, whose authors claim to be "honest army officers" and who assert that a series of offences concerning procurements for the armed forces were committed between 1997 and 2000 by defense ministry staff, when Tsohatzopoulos was minister.

The former minister said his suit concerned Zorbas' decision on April 5 to send the letter, along with his own report, to the head of the First-instance public prosecutors department, when the Constitution required that the evidence should be sent to Parliament.

With the suit, Tsohatzopoulos also provided a report by court graphologist Robert Radley, which says that both the alleged officers' letter and the Zorbas report were printed on a single type-writer or printer.

Stressing that he was not accusing Zorbas of being the author of both the letter and the report, Tsohatzopoulos said that he was making a "political" denouncement that the letter had been manufactured within the defense ministry so that a preliminary inquiry might begin taking its contents into account and thus lead to the inquiry currently taking place in Parliament.

Tsohatzopoulos also accused Zorbas of falsely testifying before the Committee that Greece had not received guarantees for the purchase of the TOR M-1 system and of not hesitating to lie in order that Parliament accuse Tsohatzopoulos of breach of faith.

[09] Poll shows ND leading PASOK by 6.3 percentage points

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The ND garners 39.7 percent, PASOK 33.4 per cent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 7.1 per cent, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYNASPISMOS) party 3.7 per cent, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 3.1 per cent, other parties 2.1 per cent and the undecided vote reaches 10.9 per cent.

To the question on who will win the elections, ND receives 70 per cent against 18.6 per cent for PASOK, a difference of 51.4 per cent.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is viewed most suitable for prime minister with 44.8 per cent against 36.4 per cent for PASOK leader George Papandreou. To the same question when all the political leaders participate, Karamanlis gathers 40.8 per cent, Papandreou 27.7 per cent and KKE leader Aleka Papariga 2.2 per cent.

Because the poll was carried out while the new SYNASPISMOS president had not yet been elected, SYN president Alekos Alavanos was not included in the same question.

On Turkey's European prospects, 24.5 per cent agree with the European prospect of the neighboring country, 22.3 per cent are indifferent and 44.6 per cent disagree or rather disagree.

Also divided are the questioned on whether Turkey's accession to the European Union will benefit Greek-Turkish relations. Forty-one per cent view certain and probably that it will benefit and 43.3 per cent express the opposite view.

[10] EU education ministers set goals for vocational education and training

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

According to the Greek education ministry, the EU ministers adopted the Maastricht Communique on vocational training, which is an update of the Copenhagen Declaration adopted in 2002. The new goals set in the communique include:

1) The use of common instruments, references and principles to support the reform and development of VET systems and practices, for example regarding transparency (Europass), guidance throughout life, quality assurance and identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning;

2) The use of the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund to support the development of VET;

3) The further development of VET systems to meet the needs of people or groups at risk of labor market and social exclusion, in particular early school leavers, low-skilled, migrants, persons with disabilities and the unemployed;

4) The development and implementation of open learning approaches, enabling people to define individual pathways, supported by appropriate guidance and counseling;

5) Continuing competence development of teachers and trainers in VET, reflecting their specific learning needs and changing role as a consequence of the development of VET.

Greek Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou emphasized that achieving the above goals can only be done through continuous cooperation and sharing of good practices among EU member states. According to Yiannakou, setting common benchmarks and monitoring progress are also crucial.

Additionally, the development of an open and flexible European qualifications framework was also discussed. Such a framework would serve as a common reference that would facilitate the recognition and transferability of qualifications covering VET and general education, thus ensuring quality, transparency and mobility within the EU labor market.

[11] Greek-Canadian group protests over attempt to form 'Macedonian' friendship group in Parliament

OTTAWA 15/12/2004 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

In a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew, the Greek-Canadian Congress said that founding the committee under such a name would ignore the decisions of the United Nations.

[12] Gov't says public investment down in 2005 due to end of Olympics

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

Folias was replying to a reporter's question on why the total for the public investment program for 2005 was lower than this year's figure.

[13] 'Main shareholder' bill for media, public contracts to Parliament before Christmas, gov't says

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

MPs on Parliament's Institutions and Transparency Committee on Tuesday reiterated a demand that they be briefed on the draft 'main shareholder' bill regulating media involvement in state contracts, which is due to be tabled in Parliament.

The issue was raised by main opposition PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos, who said that the ministers involved should come before the committee before the bill is tabled with Parliament's Public Administration, Public Order and Justice Committee.

Ruling New Democracy state deputy Miltiades Evert also asked the committee chairman to convene the committee and call the ministers to appear before it, while this proposal was back by ND MP Vyron Polydoras.

[14] Gov't sets up regional tourism council

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The minister also told a news conference that a 32-million-euro publicity campaign abroad for Greek tourism would be launched on December 17 in the media; and funds from the regions to reinforce the campaign would total 15 million euros.

[15] Bank workers, employers in deadlock over pension fund rift

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

Both the head of the Union of Greek Banks, Yiannis Kostopoulos, and the OTOE bank workers' union, D Tsoukalas, said that differences had emerged on key issues.

In a statement, the union asked the government to take an initiative in the issue.

Bank workers are to stage a stoppage on Wednesday beginning at 12:15 in order to press for a solution to a dispute over pension funds.

The OTOE bank employees union said last week after talks with Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis that a unified pension fund was needed for all staff in the sector; and that the minister had urged unions and employers to find a package solution through talks.

The union has opposed merger of the sector's base pension funds into the main state IKA fund coupled with a separate arrangement for supplementary pensions.

[16] Stocks drop in late selling

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,682.00 points, posting a decline of 0.65%. Turnover was 159.1 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.50% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.48% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.37% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 230 to 69 with 54 remaining unchanged.

[17] Athens mayor shown around 'The Olive Roads' exhibition at Syntagma metro station

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The exhibition features a series of photographs and artwork that track olive and olive oil production and consumption in 23 countries around the Mediterranean Sea, covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers, as well as the cultures of the countries connected by the olive tree.

The exhibition will run from December 14-19 and will also feature musical and other events to highlight Mediterranean culture.

It is sponsored by the ministries of culture, transport and communications, tourism development and the general secretariat for consumers, attached to the development ministry.

[18] Total of 36 illegals intercepted on small eastern Aegean isle

Athens, 15/12/2004 (ANA)

The entire group was transported to the nearby island of Kalymnos, while a search operation was underway throughout the morning in the region.

According to reports, the detainees told authorities they were ferried onto Greek territory from the opposite Turkish coast by migrant smugglers.

[19] Exhibition on Olympic Truce opens in Washington

WASHINGTON 15/12/2004 (ANA/T.Ellis)

The exhibition, which is housed at the EU representation's office in the U.S. capital, will last until December 17 and presents 67 works by artists from many countries.

Greek Ambassador to Washington George Savvaides addressed the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

[20] Cyprus and Greece sign sports memorandum

NICOSIA 15/12/2004 (ANA/G. Leonidas/CNA)

The memorandum was signed by President of the Cyprus Tourism Organization Titos Christophides and Greek Deputy Culture Minister responsible for sport George Orfanos.

With the memorandum, all previous agreements between the two countries in the sports sector are broadened.

The memorandum provides for the increase of the number of Cypriot athletes training in Greece and vice versa, the creation of a scientific support plan for Cypriot champions, and general cooperation in all sports related issues.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, both Christophides and Orfanos praised the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus and noted that this cooperation is being enhanced.

Christofides expressed certainty that the memorandum would ''help towards developing the already excellent bilateral relations and sports itself.''

Orfanos noted that Greece wishes for its sports venues, which increased in number for the Athens 2005 Olympics and Paralympics, to be ''Cypriot athlete property.''

''Cypriot athletes have an open door in Greece,'' Orfanos said, adding that ''our main aim is to bring more people to our sports premises.''

[21] Members of the European Parliament call on Turkey to recognize Cyprus

STRASBOURG 15/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking during the debate of his report on Turkey's progress to the EU, Eurlings, who is also the Rapporteur for Turkey's accession course at the European Parliament, called for more and substantial reforms on the part of Turkey to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria.

In his speech, Eurlings said that Turkey has carried out many reforms in the last years but more are needed as well as enhanced implementation of the ones decided.

Eurlings posed three conditions to begin accession negotiations without any additional postponements: implementation of the changes agreed to in Turkey, to set up a Watchdog Committee and to make it clear that all reforms adopted should be put in practice in the first phase of the accession negotiations.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn called for a resumption of the dialogue for a Cyprus settlement during the debate at the European Parliament on the Eurlings report.

He agreed to a large degree on the report and said "the negotiations should be repeated to find a (Cyprus) settlement. It is clear that the accession negotiations will be helped within the framework of the negotiations, which will include the 25 member states and Turkey. We are asking Turkey to sign the protocol, which will expand the association Agreement to all member states," he added.

European People's Party-European Democrats Group leader Hans-Gert Poettering said that a possible expansion of the EU to include Turkey would mean "the death of the EU, its destruction. Negotiations will begin with a country where mass torture takes place."

Leader of the Socialist Group Martin Schulz said his group supports Turkey's European course, noting that with the adoption of the European Constitution and the Human Rights Charter, Turkey will rebuff the argument that Islam's principles are contrary to those of Europe. He also said that Erdogan's reforms are substantial and a European Turkey will help develop its dynamic to build peace in a region, which requires it greatly.

The remaining political groups spoke in favor of Eurlings' report.

Cypriot MEPs noted that Turkey must respect Cyprus as an EU member state and put an end to its intransigent position.

Greek MEP of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party Ioannis Varvitsiotis said the report has grate political importance and is completely balanced.

However, he said Turkey not only has rights but also obligations and it must realize that its European prospects depends on its stance on internal and external issues.

Greece's main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) MEP Panagiotis Beglitis emphasized the need to make it clear to Turkey that the start of accession negotiations should not be considered a blank cheque. ''It must include a European agenda and a road map with a specific timetable for implementing its obligations," he added.

[22] Members of US Congress question US policy towards Cyprus

WASHINGTON 15/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Administration officials to the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, as well as a reaffirmation of the US existing policy towards Cyprus.

In their letter, they express concern that flights into airports in the occupied region ''may be in violation of international law" noting that these actions "appear to signal a shift in US policy towards Cyprus."

They underline that all nations other than Turkey recognize the Republic of Cyprus "as the only legitimate and sovereign authority on the island," therefore "any steps that legitimize the TRNC are in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions and US law."

Furthermore, they stress that the airspace in the occupied area is still the sovereign airspace of the Republic of Cyprus and flights into airports in the occupied areas "would therefore be inconsistent with the international aviation standards put forth by the International Civil Aviation Organization."

The members of Congress emphasise that the members of the TSA who visited the north were accompanied by members of the so called government which the US does not recognize and the visit took place without the consent of the Republic of Cyprus, stressing that these two actions "are extremely troubling, as they imply a de facto recognition of the TRNC that is a direct contradiction of the stated policy of the US and is detrimental to our goal of a unified Cyprus."

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